Explore how automated liquid handling revolutionizes life sciences by enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and scalability for faster, more reliable research.
Automated liquid handling is a game changer across life science applications, while manual liquid handling is slow and error-prone, leading to prolonged research and development timelines. Automation excels in precisely the areas where manual methods fall flat, offering faster, more accurate workflows and giving researchers a competitive edge from fundamental research to clinical trial applications. Automated liquid handling liberates researchers from mundane pipetting tasks and lets them use their time to design experiments and create the next generation of life-saving therapies1.
These technologies have revolutionized the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS)2,3 in areas like cancer and rare disease research. This article will explore the essential role of automated liquid handling in the life sciences with a focus on its applications in NGS and biomedical research.
Automated liquid handling aids cancer research by addressing perennial barriers to drug development and experimental accuracy. Traditional manual pipetting techniques are often error-prone and time-consuming, leading to contamination and inefficient use of resources. Automated liquid handlers enhance cancer research workflows by enabling high-throughput screening (HTS) of potential anti-cancer compounds via precise liquid dispensing (Fig. 1)4,5. They also improve genetic sequencing accuracy using NGS, which is essential for identifying cancer-associated variants that often form the rational basis for new therapies2. Furthermore, automated liquid handling facilitates complex assays that require meticulous reagent management across long timescales and are vulnerable to reproducibility issues caused by human error.
Figure 1. The I.DOT Liquid Handler uses non-contact dispensing with 1 μL of dead volume to provide reliable, resource-efficient dispensing for NGS experiments.
By reducing manual workloads, these systems allow researchers to focus on critical data interpretation, ultimately leading to cost savings and enhanced experimental integrity. As cancer research evolves, automation will be vital for advancing therapeutic innovations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving patient outcomes.
Read our dedicated article on the benefits of automated liquid handling in cancer research to learn more.
NGS has transformed various fields by enabling precise analysis of DNA and RNA sequences. However, the complex workflows associated with NGS are susceptible to errors and contamination, especially when relying on manual liquid handling techniques. Automated liquid handling systems address these challenges by accurately dispensing small volumes, reducing contamination risks, and lowering costs on consumables1,2.
Key considerations when selecting a liquid handling system include throughput requirements, precision needs, sample volume ranges, and contamination prevention features. Various systems are available, from manual and electronic pipettes to advanced automated liquid handling systems. However, by investing in automation, researchers can enhance data quality, future-proof workflows, and achieve significant long-term savings in their NGS applications1,6,7.
Read our dedicated article on choosing the best automated liquid handling solution for your NGS experiments (Fig. 2).
Figure 2. The G.PREP NGS Automation system incorporates the I.DOT Liquid Handler and the G.PURE NGS Clean-Up Device for optimized NGS workflows.
Automated liquid handling solutions are transforming rare disease research by enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of NGS workflows, which are critical for identifying the genetic causes of uncommon diseases. Automated liquid handling systems enable faster research timelines, allowing scientists to generate new therapies and repurpose existing ones more rapidly8. Technologies like microfluidics optimize sample usage9, which is incredibly valuable in rare disease research where sample availability is often limited.
Rare disease research is a growing area that benefits enormously from automated liquid handling. Check out our dedicated blog to learn more.
Automated liquid handling technology allows for the simultaneous analysis of more samples. This makes comparing samples easier and more scientifically valid, leading to the faster development of new therapies for cancers and rare diseases1.
Automation eliminates the need for manual input, removing a significant source of error and contamination for research workflows. This improves accuracy and makes it easier to compare results between different laboratories. Improved reproducibility means researchers can place more confidence in their results and press ahead with drug discovery projects.
Automated liquid handling reduces the need for plastic consumables, decreasing laboratory expenditure and providing a more sustainable (and accurate) liquid dispensing alternative. Furthermore, these processes allow for more conservative use of liquid reagents and samples, meaning less waste, fewer reagents, and even more cost savings.
Automated liquid handling devices allow experiments to be scaled up and down depending on the needs and scope of the research laboratory. Small biotech firms can work more efficiently by using minimal samples and reagents, while larger laboratories can scale up sequencing and screening workflows for more comprehensive experimental approaches.
Automated liquid handling is revolutionizing the life sciences landscape by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and scalability in research workflows. These systems mitigate errors and reduce contamination, enabling faster, more reliable results in cancer and rare disease research. By freeing researchers from tedious tasks, automation fosters innovation and accelerates the development of life-saving therapies and advances in personalized medicine.
Whether you're optimizing drug discovery, streamlining genomics, or enhancing cell-based assays, our innovative solutions are designed to meet your unique needs. Explore DISPENDIX’s cutting-edge liquid handling systems and download the I.DOT brochure today!
Automated liquid handlers are changing cancer research by boosting efficiency, reducing errors, and accelerating breakthroughs in drug discovery.
Discover how the I.DOT Liquid Handler is helping researchers save time and money in NGS library preparation workflows.
Discover how liquid handling automation with the I.DOT Liquid Handler revolutionizes NGS workflows, reducing errors, and optimizing resource...
