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A Quick Guide to Lab Automation Equipment
Lab automation equipment is a cornerstone of laboratory operations, performing a variety of functions to enhance throughput, efficiency, and user safety. Lab automation technologies have revolutionized the scientific landscape, offering unprecedented precision, efficiency, and productivity. Here we explore some essential equipment used in lab automation, their applications, and the benefits they bring to scientific workflows.
What is Automated Lab Equipment?
Automated lab equipment refers to devices that perform laboratory processes with minimal to no human intervention. These devices range from simple automated devices such as an automated pipettor to a complex hands-free automated enterprise robotic system. Common devices used in automated labs include automated frameworks, microplate readers, autosamplers, and cell counters, to name a few. Each of these devices plays a specific role in streamlining laboratory workflows and enhancing precision and accuracy.
Popular Automated Lab Equipment
Automated Frameworks
Automated Frameworks such as Nucleus are the backbone of lab automation, organizing workflow devices and handling the movement of samples and labware between instruments. These robotic platforms can be programmed to perform repetitive tasks with high precision, reducing the potential for human error and ensuring just-in-time delivery of procedural components.
Microplate Readers
Microplate readers are essential for conducting assays and experiments that involve multiple samples simultaneously. These devices can measure various parameters, such as absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence, making them indispensable for high-throughput screening and data analysis.
Autosamplers
Autosamplers automate the introduction of samples into analytical instruments, such as chromatography systems. They ensure consistent sample handling, which is critical for obtaining reproducible and accurate results. Autosamplers can handle large volumes of samples, significantly speeding up the analysis process.
Cell Counters
Cell counters automate the process of counting and sizing cells in biological samples. These devices are vital for research in cell biology, immunology, and other life sciences. Automated cell counters provide accurate and rapid cell counts, reducing the time and effort required for manual counting.
Automated Sample Preparation Systems
Automated sample preparation systems streamline processes for various lab applications. For instance, they can automate the steps of a DNA extraction protocol, reducing hands-on time and increasing throughput. These systems ensure that samples are processed consistently, improving the reliability of downstream analyses.
Why Do We Need Lab Automation?
Lab automation is driven by the need to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance the ability to create and analyze scientific data when needed. Automation streamlines workflows, improves the reproducibility and repeatability of experiments, and allows scientists to focus on higher order activities such as data interpretation rather than routine tasks.
Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity
Automation reduces manual labor, and the inherent errors associated with it, standardizes (and, in some instances, speeds up) workflow processes, and generally increases throughput in laboratories. For example, an automated liquid handling system can process hundreds of samples in the time it takes a technician to handle a few of the same samples manually. This time-saving capability is crucial for the delivery of data when and where it is needed.
Improving Accuracy and Precision
Automation improves the reliability of lab results by reducing human error and standardizing processes. Automated systems, such as pipetting robots, deliver precise volumes of liquids consistently, eliminating the variability associated with manual pipetting. This level of repeatability is essential for the reproduction of results and reliability of data.
Key Technologies in Lab Automation
Lab automation relies on several key technologies, including robotics, machine vision, and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
Robotics and Conveyor Systems
Automated conveyor systems are also an essential part of lab automation. They handle tasks related to sample and labware movement between manual and automated devices, breaking down “islands of automation” that require repeated human intervention to prevent workflow stoppage. With automated conveyance, samples continue to move through the workflow, from one piece of equipment to another, allowing workflows to proceed at their intended pace.
Machine Vision and Onboard Processors
Machine vision and onboard processors play a crucial role in automation. They enable tasks like specimen identification, barcode reading, and real-time data analysis. Machine vision systems can detect and correct errors on the fly, ensuring high-quality results.
Computer Hardware and Software for Lab Management
Software and hardware are used to manage automated labs. Control software coordinates the operation of different devices, while management software, such as LIMS, ensures data integrity and traceability. These systems provide a comprehensive view of laboratory operations, facilitating better decision-making and workflow optimization.
The Future of Lab Automation
Lab automation has already transformed laboratory operations, and its impact will only grow as technology advances. As we look to the future, we can expect further improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and productivity, opening new possibilities for scientific research. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and advanced robotics, will continue to drive innovation in lab automation, making laboratories more capable and efficient than ever before.
Revision: BL-DIG-240517-01 RevB - Lab Equipment