Applicability of a Dual-Arm Robotic System for Automated Downstream Analysis of Epidermal Models

Abstract

Reconstructed human epidermis mimics the architecture of human epidermis, and can thus be used as an alternative to animal models in cosmetic industry, toxicology, and dermatological research. An essential quality criterion of these in vitro models is a high barrier function that is assessed by applying detergents in different concentrations or for different timeframes to the surface of the models to derive IC-50 or ET-50 values. Being a complex procedure, these assays are currently conducted manually, requiring significant employment of labor, and lead to increased variability between different tests. Here, we show that ET-50 testing can be automated by using a dual-arm robotic system. The advantage of this robotic system is that it allows high flexibility in lab automation because of its capability to use standard laboratory equipment. To compare manual and automated testing, both processes were performed in parallel. An ET-50 value of 5.58 hours was obtained from manual testing. In comparison, ET-50 value of automated assessment was determined as 5.29 hours. This clearly demonstrates that both assays resulted in concordant ET-50 values for the employed reconstructed epidermis, and thus transfer of the manual protocol to automated testing was successful.

Bioengineered Skin Intended for Skin Disease Modeling

“…Robotic systems and 3D printing are the main current approaches towards the automation of skin models production. Although standardization of the fabrication process is achieved by robotic systems, their complexity and slow production do not facilitate large scale studies and rapid research [16,38]. On the other hand, 3D bioprinting is an emerging fabrication method allowing automated, standardized, massive, and faster production of skin equivalents [2,20].…”

“…In some laboratories, replacement of humans by robots is currently being attempted [16,38]. Figure 4 illustrates a relevant paradigm, in which a dual-arm robotic system executes pipetting and other biological tasks [38].…”

“…In some laboratories, replacement of humans by robots is currently being attempted [16,38]. Figure 4 illustrates a relevant paradigm, in which a dual-arm robotic system executes pipetting and other biological tasks [38]. The Fraunhofer Group has generated the Skin Factory, in which all the bioengineered skin fabrication steps, ranging from sterilization of the skin biopsies to the assembly of the cells in the 3D matrix, are carried out by a robotic arm with no participation of humans [16,35].…”

“…The same group has managed to automatically generate human epidermis models with the use of a robot [16]. This approach has resulted in significant decrease of manual work and the standardization of the production process, as a programmed robot can constantly perform all the steps with fixed speed and fully-controlled motions [16,38]. Despite the automatic character of the process, it remains time-consuming, given that it includes the same steps as in the case of manual fabrication, but human hands are replaced by robotic arms.…”

Analytical Measurements and Efficient Process Generation Using a Dual–Arm Robot Equipped with Electronic Pipettes

“…Dual-arm robotic systems also can be applied for liquid handling processes if equipped with suitable pipettes. Due to the human-like structure of the robotic arms, conventional manual pipettes can be used [4,[10][11][12][13]29,30]. The dual-arm robot performs transportation tasks to connect several stations on the robotic working area and additionally the active manipulation of samples: The robot acts as a flexible robot [4].…”