Integrating manual processes with automation equipment can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Any manual pipetting can be automated after analyzing the lab’s automation needs and wants. This webinar will review the reasons to automate and will aim to make pursuing lab automation approachable, especially for those just starting to consider an automated liquid handler.
To best understand how to successfully introduce liquid handling automation to your lab, one must analyze why automation may be an appropriate step, who must be involved in the process, and when you can expect to be up and running with your new robot. The presenter will cover the advantages of introducing liquid handling automation to the lab and what to consider once you’re ready to make that step.
Speakers:
Rebecca Lampert
Product Manager
BrandTech Scientific
This Summit Talk was part of Lab Manager's 2023 Automation Digital Summit.
Laboratory automation systems provide increased precision and standardization and free up time for laboratory staff to perform other work. Automation also offers a virtual option for staff working in other parts of the lab, or working remotely. Lab managers are tasked with selecting the right system for their lab, which can be a daunting prospect. What are the steps you need to take to transition your equipment and staff to a new automated system? What questions should you ask a provider in order to determine if you’re choosing the right system for your facility?
Lab Manager recently hosted industry experts who spoke on these issues and more during its 2023 Automation Digital Summit. Industry experts offered insight and education on how you can choose the right automation system and software for your lab, and what you need to know about the use of robotics in lab automation. Discover the process behind transitioning into a cloud lab system, and what the future holds for lab automation. Watch for free on demand to gain the valuable guidance you need as you evaluate your lab’s automation needs.
Hello everyone and thank you for attending Lab Manager's Automation Digital Summit. My name is Mary Beth Dena and I'll be moderating this discussion. Welcome to this session, the three W's of introducing automation. Why, who and when. Integrating manual processes with automation equipment can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be any manual pipetting can be automated after analyzing the lab's automation needs and wants. This webinar will review the reasons to automate and will aim to make pursuing lab automation approachable, especially for those just starting to consider an automated liquid handler. To best understand how to successfully introduce liquid handling automation to your lab, one must analyze why automation may be an appropriate step, who must be involved in the process, and when you can expect to be up and running with your new robot. The presenter will cover the advantages of introducing liquid handling automation to the lab and what to consider. Once you're ready to make that step. Please send us your questions or comments at any point during this presentation. Our speaker will address your questions during the q and a session following her presentation. To ask a question or leave a comment, simply type your query into the q and a box on the right hand side of your screen. We'll try to address as many questions as possible during our time together, but if we run out of time, I'll forward any unanswered questions to our speaker and she may be able to respond to you directly if possible. Additional resources and a certificate for this presentation are also located on the right hand side of your screen in the handout section. Please be sure to answer our special poll question for your chance to win a gift card courtesy of Lab Manager. I would like to remind you that the recording of this webinar will be available for free on-demand viewing after the conclusion of this event, and I would also like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors who support allows Lab Manager to keep these webinars free of charge for our readers. So with that, I would like to introduce our speaker for this presentation. Rebecca Lampert is a product manager at Brand Tech Scientific in Essex, Connecticut. After studying biology and business, Becca has worked in the life science industry for the last eight years. She spent years in lab member facing roles prior to taking on product management responsibilities. Since joining Brand Tech in October, 2021, Becca has been responsible for all liquid handling products. Becca, thanks for joining us today. Please begin. Thank you Mary Beth for the introduction. Good morning and thank you for joining me for today's webinar. As Mary Beth mentioned, my name is Becca and I'm the liquid handling product manager for Brand Tech Scientific. I have the pleasure of speaking with you today about the three Ws of introduction of introducing automation. I'm going to turn off my camera for the duration of the webinar presentation and we'll turn my camera back on for the q and a. Now let's begin. Becca, I'm I'm, I'm very sorry. I'm seeing a, a blank screen. I don't know if our audience sees the same, but we might wanna just, uh, do the screen share again. I'm sorry. I know it worked beforehand. No Problem. There it goes. Just maximize it, please. Okay, audience, please let us know if you see that It should be good now. Thank you, Becca. I apologize. No, no worries. Thank you for letting me know. Today we will discuss the why, who and when of lab automation. I'll outline some of the major reasons to consider semi-automated and full automation liquid handling devices compared to manual work, as well as suggest some of the applications that commonly benefit from automation. Then I'll talk about who to speak with internally and externally as well as what type of information to glean from these conversations. Lastly, we'll discuss when it is time to proceed with purchase and what to consider for the long-term usage and investment in laboratory robotics. Let's start with why automation should be considered. Since you're attending a webinar regarding introduction to automation, it's likely that you already have done some of this analysis. Nevertheless, I'll address some goals of automation and where they can easily be instituted. Manual pipetting will always serve its own purpose and be an appropriate choice depending on the application or lab environment. Manual pipetting is cost-effective, lower throughput, and typically is a relatively approachable skill to learn. While it's important to learn and maintain proper pet petting technique, the time to get up and running is minimal. The technique is likely also learned early in one's exposure to research, so it's a transferable skill set to future career opportunities across different labs. Automation can help with accuracy and precision of pipetting. Ergonomically manual pipetting leaves much to be desired. Repetitive pipetting strain can damage not only the fingers, hands, and arm, but also cause mental fatigue. Automation can therefore reduce manual pipetting error and alleviate pain caused by repetitive mundane and tedious pipetting. Automation also allows for a range of speed workspaces and complexity, so higher throughput typically can be achieved compared to just the researchers' bandwidth alone. Since automation can take on some more of the tedious day-to-day pipetting work, the results are often at least just as good, if not more accurate and repeatable, which therefore allows the method results to be more reproducible. This not just that automation can reduce natural human mistakes, but it effectively removes variation of technique, both between one scientist's pipetting results as well as accommodates for the slight variation between different researchers. Pipetting techniques. Reduction of repetitive strain alone is enormous benefit. The robot can more safely pipette and will prompt safety concerns and any manual interventions needed throughout method execution. Automation can allow researchers to spend their valuable time on more important work, like writing papers and outlining new project ideas rather than spending all day, every day dealing with sore thumb from constant pipetting. This better use of personnel and robot time helps to process samples more quickly and effectively. Lastly, liquid handling robots can be customized for the lab space, both in the physical design of the robot and the software. Most liquid handlers come with some sort of either plug and place software or at least the ability to program the robot using a language such as Python. Regardless if you have a dedicated, um, if you have dedicated resources to write code or someone to utilize more user-friendly software, robots can handle updates to current methods or new methods can be developed as projects evolve. There's so much variability as to why someone would be interested in a pipetting robot. Perhaps they wanna introduce some automation to a new startup lab or run a pilot study for proof of principle. Of course, most reasons for wanting automation are viable so long as expectations are reasonable. A good way to begin with lab automation is to address any current pipetting techniques that are tedious, time consuming and prone to error. Something like serial dilution, uh, or plate reformatting may come to mind. Some common applications we've seen benefit from automation include things like D N A normalization, Eliza and other amino assays, cherry picking, and P C R. All of these processes can easily be automated to improve repeatability and reproducibility. Now that we've discussed why automation is beneficial for most lab settings, the natural next step would be to logistically work through how to proceed, who should be involved at your institution in making decisions about what goals you'd like to achieve and how to achieve them. Once you've had these conversations, it is then appropriate to determine what robotic companies and models may be a good fit While navigating opportunities with potential end users. I've seen a lot of back and forth or circular communication that could be somewhat alleviated by gathering key personnel prior to pursuing deeper conversations with vendors. It's crucial to have the input and approval of all of those required internally before getting too far in the exploration and purchasing process and then having to start all over again. It's common to include the research scientists to perform some initial qualification and then managers or PIs and any colleagues who will have a hand in setting up and utilizing the liquid handling robot. Some larger institutions or those with relatively more funding may have automation engineers who will assume responsibility for programming and maintaining the robot. The availability of someone in this role can also help inform which models to pursue. If you don't have an automation engineer, you may need to learn programming or hire someone to do so. It's helpful to understand if a resource like an automation engineer is required, figure your lab and if you don't have it, who will assume this responsibility. Depending on the type of institution you're working in, you may have varied financial and logistical resources available. Team members and available resources dictate what is an appropriate solution. If you already have automation available, it may be beneficial to use existing automation or supplement that existing log automation. Liquid handling instruments are commonly thought of for pharma and biotech, but these instruments can certainly benefit other institutions. For example, core labs, independent reference labs, food and environment, food and environmental testing labs, clinical labs, and academia. Now that you've assessed input from all participants, it's crucial to understand your requirements and your wishlists, all those, some robots may look similar. All robot models operate at least slightly differently and each of the organizations supporting those robots operate differently as well. As I briefly mentioned, knowing how to code can help, can be helpful depending on the robot you want to go with. Many robots do offer software that visually mimics the workstation so it's easier to learn and use. However, this still takes some patience and time to understand how to generate methods with software, even without needing to code. Some software has a smaller learning curve than others. While programming knowledge is an important factor for some method development, you'll also need to consider a difficulty of developing your own methods with software or if you intend to rely on the vendor to provide support. Those that are interacting with the robot have to truly understand the science and methods they want to automate. A good vendor can teach software to implement methods, but the science and expertise starts in the lab. Additionally, not while manufacturers provide method generation support, software support, or really any robot support beyond the initial purchase and training, less support can provide for more cost-effective options, but if you don't dedicate your own resources that the instrument may not be used regularly or even at all. It's important to ask what type of support is available and if additional support exists, what cost and timeframe to expect post-purchase. Robots typically will need some preventative maintenance and at some point may need some repair. Just like getting a car inspected annually or bringing it to a mechanic when something is wrong, the robot needs to be maintained during use. It is fully up to your determination of what level of support and communication you'd like from a business partner pre, during and sale. When translating manual pipetting protocols to automated methods, some accessories or at least instrument features need to be considered during pipetting. You may need heating, cooling or shaking. Perhaps you require magnetic beads or plate stacking, et cetera. As you step by step, consider all that goes into your protocol. You'll need to ensure that whichever robot you're interested in is capable of replicating the different ways that samples are manipulated. These considerations mean at least one lab member must be responsible for keeping consumables in stock, making sure the robot is properly cleaned after use, obtaining accessories and more. Hopefully this thought experiment helps guide you toward a robot that's capabilities matches your wishlist. Of course, here is where budget is important to consider. If a more complex robot executes your method fully but is out of budget, a less complex robot may be sufficient and just require a bit more manual intervention throughout the method. Perhaps it is a deal breaker to not fully automate each step so long as this falls within your budget expectations, then that is the right choice for your lab. At this point in the decision making process of onboarding and automation, you would've talked amongst your team, decided what processes you'd like to automate and gathered an understanding of your wants and needs. The next stage would be the appropriate time to look into the current options for liquid handling robots in the market, assess what type of robot you're interested in pursuing and think through future goals and expectations. Once you understand why you'd like to automate and who needs to be involved, it's time to understand your options and what's most compatible for you. Before reaching out to get quotes, you can expect the manufacturer to ask about your expectations so that they can confirm if one of their models may be an appropriate fit. Robots are developed differently to withstand a variety of liquid types, given that most robots operate similarly to an air displacement pipette. Some settings and method design may need to be changed for more viscous or generally non-aqueous liquid types. Volume range is a rather straightforward way to start the qualification or disqualification of fit. There are not many robots that can operate in the sub-meter range and do so reproducibly and accurately and preparation to meet with a vendor. It can be beneficial to calculate error rates to quantify your automation goal. Then you can aim to address problematic areas in your workflow to ensure the manual methods translate well to automated methods. The the throughput expectations entirely depends on your investment into the type of robot. Larger robots with more complex capabilities and more deck space can allow for higher sample throughput. The entire process of addressing interest and automation to having the instrument of choice in use can take quite some time, even if you're not in a rush. It would be fair to keep in mind that this process can take many months depending on the model you want to proceed with and how the vendor handles quoting, shipping, installation, and the trial of the instrument. This can also a significantly affect the timeline. A longer timeline is neither good nor bad, but having a reasonable and mutual expectation is important and will reduce any ambiguity throughout the purchase process. Now that we've discussed many of the factors that go into the decision process, when onboarding lab automation, one of the most important decisions is the type of robotic liquid handler to pursue. As you can see, a large variety of lab automation exists with many players throughout the spectrum. As we dive into the variety of available robots, I may include examples from different manufacturers, but the examples are not representative of all options in the market. The first step into lab automation could be considered electronic versions of the pipettes you use manually. You'll still pipette by hand, but certain functions may be electronic rather than manual. For example, when multi dispensing, you may program the volume so that you don't need to depress a plunger each time the sample is dispensed. Examples of this semi-automated step would be things like electronic pipettes and repeaters, the bronze handy step touch repetitive pipette and the bronze transfer PET electronic pipette would be suitable options at this stage. Einor, for example, also carry similar models such as the Einor Explorer and Einor for Peter E three. After semi-automation, you typically see small footprint bench top liquid handlers. These robots are perfect for those getting into automating their manual protocols. Typically, you can expect to have the robot complete standard pipetting tasks like serial dilution and plate form plate reformatting. The robot function tends to mimic the capabilities of manual pipetting. Some examples you may see are the open trons OT two bronze liquid handling station and EINOR EP motion 50 70. If you are interested in investing more resources to more fully automate your workflows, then larger robots with more advanced capabilities are available. These robots typically have larger deck spaces and more sophisticated features such as a robotic arm to be able to move consumables from one deck position to another. Many robots will be able to automate pipetting techniques but to varied complexity. For example, introductory robots may use a singular fixed pipette head, whereas larger robots may have a variety of programmable individual channels, multiple, multiple pipette heads and sense liquid levels. These machines tend to be more high throughput and minimize manual intervention throughout the method execution to increase walkaway time and increase sample throughput. Some examples would be the Hamilton Micro Lab Star and the Tecan Freedom evo. Lastly, several organizations can customize robot capabilities depending on their needs or at least recommend even larger and more complex available models. This may be a robot built around a certain application or actual custom features built based on your goals. Custom robots may represent exactly what you're looking for but also tend to be the least cost-effective option. After narrowing down your interests, vendors can help address any questions about robot features and benefits. It's up to you to determine the level of involvement and support you need or expect from the vendor wanting support for your method development questions or overall questions about the robot post-purchase is not necessarily included in purchase of the robot depending on the vendor after the robot is installed, it will be wise to consider a plan for ensuring all pertinent staff is trained well enough for them to continue using the robot. Refresher training may be needed for existing or new lab members, assuming you intend to use the robot for many years. In addition to keeping up with training, you'll also need to consider what resources will be needed to maintain the longevity of the instrument in proper working order. Lastly, many robotics manufacturers also sell consumables and accessories. The extent that the robot is a closed system is dependent on the vendor. If you require certain consumables, you'll want to ensure the robot can accommodate the consumable, both based on the capabilities of the system as well as if the manufacturer requires that you use their consumables and accessories. For example, the brand L H SS accepts most popular third party consumables and accessories. If it isn't in the software and is a viable match for the L H Ss, we can program it for you. The only limitation is if your consumable fits within the specifications of the instrument and the only locked and consumable is the robotic tips. I hope you've enjoyed this webinar. We've reviewed the why, who and when of introducing lab automation to your workflows. There are many robots in the market to match your needs. I'd like to outline why you should consider the BRA liquid handling station or L H Ss for your lab. Why the Braun L H Ss is your personal pipetting robot. The robot can automate all of the common techniques. You are manually pipetting like an extension of your arm. Method generation is easy and approachable with our extremely easy to use software. If you need a clean room environment, the L H SS flow use also utilizes HEPA filtration to minimize particulate count. The who brand tech is the US and Canadian subsidiary of the bro group representing Brond Vitt Lab and Vacu Broun here, Atran Tech. We are happy to be as supportive of a partner as you'd like. We're happy to work through all of your planning and questions and expectations for the robot as well as generate a method based on your protocol and provide software assistance if there's ever a need down the line. We also offer method generation services and robot maintenance plans. We will always be here to support you and your work. Lastly, the when we're ready for you, whenever you determine it is time to take next steps, please reach out to your local brand tech sales representative or preferred dealer representative. If you aren't sure who to reach out to, you can always email me or reach out via our website. I'll include contact information in a following slide. We'll be happy to discuss your interest, provide a software demonstration, help to generate a method and will be available virtually or onsite depending on how you prefer to proceed. With that being said, I appreciate your time and attention during this webinar. I hope the information we reviewed is helpful. Trying to introduce lab automation can be a daunting process, but hopefully the right partner and the right robot can make the ne next steps that much easier. Please enjoy the short video on the liquid handling station At this time. I'll open for questions. Okay, great. Thanks very much. Back up for our wonderful presentation. So at this point we are about ready to move on to our q and a session with the audience. Again, for those of you who joined us late, you can send in your questions or comments by typing 'em into the q and a box located on the right hand side of your screen. Even if you don't have a question, we invite you to leave a comment. Let us know how you enjoyed this presentation, if you found the information useful, and if you'd like us to pass your question or contact info along to Becca and the brand tech scientific team, please leave a comment in that q and a box and we'll make sure they get it. Another reminder to please visit the handouts section on the right hand side of your screen for supporting information for this event. We also have a certificate of completion for this webinar if you need it so you can download it there. And I would also like to remind you to answer our special poll question for a chance to win a gift card courtesy of Lab Manager. So for the q and a, I'm gonna bring back a back on camera now for the q and a. So there you are. Hi Becca. Uh, so thanks again for a great presentation. I'm gonna put, uh, your contact info up on the screen as well. That way if we don't get to somebody's question, if they have a question later, they know how to get in touch with you. Um, but let's jump into these questions from our audience. We already have a few coming in. Let's start with the first one. What happens if a consumable I use is not in the l h S software? Sure, great question. Please let us know. Um, if the consumable is compatible with the l h s, we'll have it programmed in the software for free. Okay, great. Thanks. There's another question that says, is it required to use brand tips with the L H S and L H S flow? Yes. Um, like most robotic liquid handlers and their respective tips, bra robotic tips are designed to fit within tight tolerances for both tip fit and tip length. With that being said, the L H SS accepts other major third party consumables so long as the dimensions are suitable for the robot. Okay, great. Thanks. Um, I, I had some, um, some messages sent to me asking if this presentation will be available on demand. So yes, it will be. I just wanna remind everybody, um, it'll be available for free on-demand viewing, so lab manager will send you an email within the next few days. Once that presentation is available, if you'd like to watch it again, um, forward it on to your, your colleagues, uh, we will make that available. Um, Becca, we have another question from the audience. Can the L h ss l h s flow be placed in a biosafety cabinet or fume hood? Great question. Um, this is actually not a recommended use for the L H s or L H S flow, however, the flow model uses a HEPA filter to reduce particulate count. So depending on your application, this may still be sufficient. All right, great. Thanks. I think we have one more question here. This one says, what if, I don't know exactly what method I wanna automate yet, but I know that I need to introduce automation to my lab. Sure. Um, in general, the more that you know about what you want to automate, the easier it is to select the best robot for your needs. If you're in a situation or maybe your budget cycle forces you to make a choice before your manual method is well defined, and it's important that you pick a vendor who will set you up for success providing the necessary user training. So scientists can automate those methods once they're defined, providing support for method development in a way that works for you, and of course making sure that you're comfortable with the general capabilities and more importantly, limitations of the equipment. If you take steps like this, it will remove as much risk as possible and put you in the best position to have a good experience. Okay, wonderful. Thanks so much. Um, I think we've about run out of time for audience questions, but again, uh, Becca has helpfully provided her contact info there. There's a, um, a direct email phone number, uh, there's a QR code you can scan for more information. Um, I think we actually, um, we do have another question that's here. Um, it says, what should I keep in mind when the system is down? Sure. So if I'm interpreting this to mean that if the system needs maintenance, um, or is not working correctly, so in this situation, you would reach out to the manufacturer of the robot that you chose and it would be determined if that's part of any sort of robotic maintenance plan that you have chosen to pursue with that vendor. Um, for uh, bronze products with the bronze liquid handling station. If you pursue a service contract with us, then we'll provide any loaner, either instrument or liquid ends or products to make sure that there's no downtime while we help to provide any maintenance or troubleshooting or repair parts. Okay. Wonderful. Thanks so much. Um, so I think that does bring us to the end of this presentation. So on behalf of Lab Manager, I'd like to thank Rebecca Lampert for all the hard work she put into this presentation, and I'd like to thank all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to join us. A reminder again that all of the presentations from the Automation Digital Summit will be available for free on demand viewing, so please watch your email for a message from Lab Manager once these videos become available. Once again, thank you to our sponsors, brand Tech Scientific Automata, Integra Metro U S A analytic Jenna and Compu type. Their support allows Lab Manager to keep these events free of charge for our readers. Please be sure to tune in for our final presentation in this series at 12:30 PM Eastern today, improve water testing with titration automation. For more information, all of our upcoming or on demand webinars, or to learn more about the latest tools and technologies for the laboratory, please visit our website@labmanager.com. Thank you all for being part of our Automation Digital Summit, and we hope you have a great day.