The Tools That Are Transforming Scientific Research Labs

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 Modern labs handle far more samples these days than ever before. Even just a decade ago, actually. As research facilities, diagnostic labs and pharmaceutical companies advance and now handle and process thousands of tests on a daily basis, the technology required to keep up and manage workloads without impacting standards or quality control has had to evolve quickly to meet the needs of these companies and environments.

It's not an understatement to say that modern labs are now operative with several technologies essential for the work they do and the outcomes delivered. And with tens of thousands of labs across different sectors, i.e. the NHS, pharma biotech and universities, for example, it's little wonder why the lab automation market is expected to reach around $550 million by 20245 as more labs adopt automated processes or increase automation within their workflows.

Want to know more? Let's take a look at exactly what these technologies are

Liquid Handling Systems

These are one of the most widely used automation tools in lab environments. These machines are designed to transfer precise volumes of liquid between well tubes or plates using automated pipetting mechanisms.

Traditionally, labs performed this task manually, but as workloads increased, the risk of variation or fatigue setting-in increased, automation became more of a necessity, not a nice-to-have feature for thousands of labs across the world.

Typically, these liquid handlers are used in applications such as PCR preparations, ELISA assays and sample dilution, and systems are programmed to dispense exact volumes of reagents and samples. This means labs can ensure protocols are standardized each and every time. Plus, the automation aspect saves time, meaning more work can be done in a day, thus increasing capacity within individual labs.

Microplate Readers and Detection Systems

Microplate readers are an essential instrument for analyzing biological and chemical reactions. These reactions occur inside multi-well plates, and these plates can contain either 96, 384 or even 1536 small wells with reactions occurring simultaneously.

And this is where the need for accuracy comes into the equations. The reactions allow researchers to quantify enzyme activity detection patterns, evaluate cell viability and monitor chemical interactions. And advanced detection platforms from companies such as tecan are designed to integrate with existing laboratory workflows, so microplates can move from preparation systems to the readers for analysis, therefore ensuring reliability and accuracy.

Laboratory Automation software

Behind most automated laboratories is a layer of software. This software coordinates the various instruments and systems that operate within the workflow.

The software will manage communication between liquid handling systems, for example, robotic platforms, detection instruments and data storage systems.

The software can also schedule experimental runs, direct robotic movements and record the location of every sample throughout the process. Done manually, this would take much longer and introduce variables into the process from human error. So it's not hard to see why labs rely on software of this nature as their increased volumes of research and diagnostic work flow through.

Technology in labs is now more commonplace than you might realize, and the benefits of utilizing tech in this way are massive.