In the fast-paced world of drug discovery, researchers face constant pressure to produce accurate, reliable data in short turnaround times while minimizing waste and cutting costs. Traditional workflows, which rely heavily on manual steps, are often prone to errors and inefficiencies that can slow progress and increase resource consumption. This is especially concerning given that laboratories are responsible for an estimated 2% of global plastic waste1. As awareness around the environmental impact of scientific research grows, there is an increasing need for sustainable, automated solutions that streamline processes and minimize waste2,3. In this article, we explore how automating key steps in drug discovery can help reduce reagent usage, minimize errors, and promote more efficient and sustainable drug discovery.
Dose response curves play a vital role in drug discovery by enabling researchers to assess the potency, toxicity, and mechanism of action of compounds as well as determining IC50 and EC50 values4. However, manual dose response assays are often rife with pipetting errors and workflow inconsistencies and can result in inaccurate data, limiting researchers’ ability to make informed decisions on drug candidates5,6. In addition, the manual process is time-consuming and tedious, more often than not leaving scientists frustrated by the repetitive and error-prone task of pipetting!
The I.DOT Liquid Handler automates liquid handling, providing enhanced accuracy and reproducibility and allowing dose response experiments to be performed on a larger scale. Automation minimizes human error, streamlines workflows, and reduces resource consumption by dispensing precise volumes of reagents with minimal waste. The I.DOT works through a tipless system, perfect for the eco-conscious researcher looking to move towards more sustainable drug discovery (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. The I.DOT Non-Contact Dispenser works through a tipless system, drastically reducing the plastic waste of a drug discovery lab.
By decreasing reagent use and improving efficiency, automation supports more sustainable drug discovery, helping labs meet increasing demand without sacrificing quality. To learn more about automating dose response assays, check out the full article.
Accurate compound dilutions are critical throughout all stages of drug discovery, especially during high-throughput screening (HTS) and dose-response assays, where even minor dilution errors can lead to significant consequences, including false positives or negatives4,7,8. Traditional manual dilution techniques, which require several steps, introduce variability, leading to inaccurate data and wasted resources.
Automated liquid handlers present a solution to these challenges by automating compound dilutions with extreme precision; the I.DOT Non-Contact Dispenser is capable of handling volumes as low as 0.1 nanoliters. This not only enhances the reproducibility of experiments but also reduces reagent consumption, thus lowering costs and minimizing environmental impact9. Automating compound dilutions ensures that researchers can generate more reliable data, providing a clearer understanding of a compound’s safety and efficacy. The ability to perform precise dilutions without error reduces the need for repeated experiments (Fig. 2), promoting efficient and sustainable drug discovery workflows – a win-win!
To find out how automated liquid handling can transform your dilution workflows, take a look at the full article!
Figure 2. The I.DOT Non-Contact Dispenser has integrated droplet detection sensors for volume verification, meaning you can always trust the accuracy of your dilutions.
HTS is an essential component of modern drug discovery, allowing researchers to rapidly assess large compound libraries for potential hits10. However, manual processes in HTS introduce variability, human error, and data management challenges, which can delay drug development and reduce the reliability of results11.
Automation addresses these issues by standardizing workflows, improving data quality, and increasing throughput. The I.DOT Liquid Handler offers precise, non-contact liquid dispensing, which minimizes errors and variability between users while also reducing reagent waste. This also makes it easier to troubleshoot HTS assays and allows for better data management, ensuring faster insights and reducing the environmental footprint by using fewer resources. By integrating automated systems into HTS workflows, researchers can optimize both performance and sustainability in drug discovery.
For more strategies for implementing automation into HTS workflows, read our recent article here.
As the demand for faster and more sustainable drug discovery grows, automation offers a clear solution to many of the challenges faced in traditional workflows. By reducing manual errors, improving reproducibility, and cutting down on reagent waste, automated liquid handling systems provide researchers with the tools they need to accelerate drug development while minimizing their environmental footprint. From automating dose response curves to ensuring precision in compound dilutions and overcoming HTS troubleshooting hurdles, automation not only boosts efficiency but also aligns with the industry's push toward greener, more sustainable drug discovery.
Learn how the I.DOT’s precision automation supports eco-friendly practices while enhancing your dose-response studies. Download our brochure now to explore how the I.DOT can make your lab more sustainable and efficient!