Liquid-Handling Robotic Workstations for Functional Genomics

Abstract

More and more functional genomics laboratories are willing to invest in robotic workstations due to the higher throughput liquid-handling intensive nature of the work. In this report, the features of robotic workstations important for functional genomics are discussed. Workstations for functional genomics are useful for replication of clone sets, PCR and sequencing set-up and clean-up, hit picking, gel loading, and nucleic acid purification procedures. Workstations not only increase throughput, but also ensure that assay steps are performed consistently, human error- and learning curve-free from run to run. Workstations fit on a laboratory bench and may have several robotic arms in different configurations. Available configurations include grippers and single-, oligo-, or multi-probe heads, with uniform or independent spanning, and liquid-level detection or tracking options. Most hardware and software packages can be designed for integration with other automated devices, building towards a fully automated system.

Strategies for discovery and improvement of enzyme function: state of the art and opportunities

“…Use of such molecular approaches often results in a large library size which must be screened to identify potential hits. Developments in associated fields have promoted substantial advancement in our ability to access the biodiversity pool by using automated high‐throughput screening platforms ( Betton, 2004 ; Bradbury, 2004 ; Ho et al ., 2004 ; Lafferty and Dycaico, 2004 ; Lorenz, 2004 ; Pajak et al ., 2004 ). This significantly improves the ability to not only access a number of novel enzymes but also impacts the speed with which they are screened.…”

Overview of Liquid Handling Instrumentation for High‐Throughput Screening Applications

“…Transfer devices are typically part of larger platforms called liquid handling workstations that are designed to automate routine liquid handling tasks such as reagent dispensing, serial dilutions, and microplate replication (Lorenz, ). Some workstations may have more than one transfer device on the same workstation, such as an 8‐channel and a 96‐channel pipettor.…”

A Calibration-Free, Noncontact, Disposable Liquid Dispensing Cartridge Featuring an Online Process Control

“…A continuing demand for increasing throughput has scaled biological assay procedures into 96-, 384-, and 1536-well formats. [2][3][4][5][6] This, of course, requires a miniaturization of the assay volume: a single assay volume typically was in the range of 250 µL in 96-well microplates by 1995; in 2003, the same assay volume ranged from 50 to 2 µL. 4 Today, 384-well or even 1536-well microplates are state of the art, with assay volumes moving down to the nanoliter range.…”