Tecan Journal
Edition 2/2020
Life Sciences, Diagnostics and Partnering
Racing against a pandemic
Improving quality of HIV diagnosis in Kenya
Using saliva to study hormones
Print your own DNA
Pages 12-13
Pages 14-15
Pages 18-19
Pages 26-27
CEO WELCOME
Welcome to this unique issue of the Tecan Journal In this unprecedented time, we consider it a privilege to be part of the international effort to turn the tide on COVID-19, working alongside the scientific and clinical communities to accelerate research and the discovery of treatment options, and scale up population testing. From viral RNA extraction, PCR set-up and NGS automation to serology testing, we are using our product portfolio – as well as our service and applications knowhow – as part of a highly collaborative approach to help contain the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The dedication and expertise of our staff, working hand-in-hand with laboratories and partners on the front line, has been truly exceptional in this difficult time. They have worked – literally around the clock at times – to plan workflows and install systems within the shortest deadlines, while still delivering the highest standards of performance and compliance. I would like to thank the entire Tecan team for their ongoing commitment and passionate support in these challenging circumstances. 2020 may not have been the 40th anniversary celebration we had hoped for, but I look forward to seeing customers and colleagues at events around the world once the acute threat of COVID-19 has been curbed. In the meantime, this issue of the Tecan Journal contains details of some of the novel coronavirus-related projects we have been involved in, as well as an exciting showcase of customer stories from around the globe. I hope you all stay safe and enjoy this issue, Achim von Leoprechting CEO
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TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
CONTENTS
Contents 2
Welcome
4 - 7 Pandemic preparedness: scaling up for the healthcare industry
8 - 9 A beacon of light in the coronavirus pandemic 10 - 11 Customized solution supports automated compound management in core facility
14 - 15
12 - 13
Racing against a pandemic
Improving quality of HIV diagnosis in Kenya
14 - 15 Improving quality of HIV diagnosis in Kenya 16 - 17
Transferrable skills
18 - 19 Using saliva to study hormones 20 - 21
A sensitive subject
22 - 23 A smooth path for novel biologics 24 - 25 Generating success in regenerative biology 26 - 27 Print your own DNA 28 - 29 A jump start for nucleic acid processing
28 - 29 A jump start for nucleic acid processing 30 - 31 Empowering CORE oncology research
Applications and platforms presented in the Tecan Journal may not be available in all markets. Please consult your local Tecan office for information.
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
3
COVID-19
Pandemic preparedness: scaling up for the healthcare industry How do you prepare for the
The response of these laboratories has
The UK Government has recently
unexpected? The COVID-19 pandemic
been remarkable and heroic in most
identified five pillars critical for scaling
has brought to light how challenging it
cases, with great demonstrations of
up its testing programs, 2 based on the
is for labs and production facilities to
ingenuity and tireless devotion. An
available scientific research. Harvard
scale up quickly in times of need. The
inspiring example is the UK Biocentre,
University also published a document
sudden surge in demand for laboratory
which developed an automated sample
on ‘Pandemic Resilience’, 3 which
solutions at the very time that we are
handling and testing process from
reported the need for fast scale-up of
experiencing unprecedented
scratch in a matter of months.
multiple levels of testing in order to
constraints on the workforce and global
Manufacturers have also stepped up in
control the pandemic. Rapid scale-up is
supply chains is a wake-up call. This has
addressing this unprecedented
no small feat, but modularity in design
put pressure on infrastructures in every
challenge, with molecular diagnostics
of laboratory solutions and test
sphere connected to the healthcare
company Cepheid producing a test that
equipment may be key to achieving
industry – from R&D and manufacturing
can deliver results in under 45 minutes.1
some of the goals outlined in these
to clinical diagnostics. Even relatively
While this is the first global pandemic
documents. By working with modules, it
small labs and organizations have been
of this scale, it is unlikely to be the last,
means that no new solution has to be
required to rapidly shift focus and
and that forces us to reflect and
designed completely from scratch,
massively expand their outputs at an
consider what we can learn for the next
which can drastically reduce the time to
unprecedented rate. There is, however,
time, and how we can be better
implementation. A good example
a silver lining: the current pandemic
prepared.
during COVID-19 has been the rapid
compels healthcare industry leaders to
deployment of next generation
question the agility and scalability of
Rapid scale-up and custom
sequencing (NGS) and PCR-based
their laboratory solutions – both now
solutions are essential
techniques to analyze patient samples.
and in the future.
To meet such extreme challenges, the
Modular workflows for efficient nucleic
ability to adapt quickly to novel threats
acid extraction and purification are
and scale up operations accordingly is
allowing researchers to analyze
The current COVID-19 pandemic
essential. With COVID-19, we have seen
thousands of isolates using a variety of
represents one of the greatest global
the potential cost of delay, as well as
downstream methods. As discussed by
challenges of our time: a novel and
the speed at which global situations
Dr Christopher Mason, Associate
highly contagious airborne virus with
can change. Clinical infrastructures and
Professor at Weill Cornell Medical
initially no diagnostic test and currently
testing labs need sufficient agility to
College, a modular automation
no vaccines. The pandemic strikes at a
develop novel analysis methodologies
approach makes it easier for multiple
time when the world has never been
and/or modify existing protocols.
types of experiments and functionalities
more interconnected, meaning
Scale-up capacity is critical to enable
to be carried out and integrated on the
geographic barriers that previously may
rapid test validation and processing of
same platform.4 This allowed the Mason
have provided a natural means to curb
growing numbers of samples. At the
lab to add techniques such as RT-qPCR,
the spread are non-existent. The scale
same time, equipment manufacturers
isothermal assays and immunological
of the pandemic has put immense strain
need to be ready to quickly interpret
profiling to their DNA purification, to
on laboratories conducting serological
current research needs and medical
better understand heterogeneity in the
and PCR testing, as well as on those
knowledge in order to deliver tailored
viral populations.
labs screening drug candidates for
and cost-efficient solutions as soon as
treatments and working to develop an
possible.
An unprecedented challenge
effective vaccine as quickly as possible.
The Blog 4
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TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
COVID-19
Agility is key to scaling up… and scaling back down again When scaling up or implementing a new analytical test or production process, it makes sense to establish and test new equipment and workflows when the pressure is off. That means installing and optimizing the set-up of
ith novel biological threats, the transition W from research to in vitro diagnostics also has to be fast and seamless, and companies that can provide both have a significant edge.
laboratory solutions before the demand for their use is at a peak. This poses somewhat of a conundrum: if the lab is at low capacity now, how quickly will it be able to adapt and validate its operating procedures to enable effective, cost-efficient use of high capacity automation equipment? Likewise, when demand later tapers off, will the lab be able to return to costefficient, low capacity production using the same equipment, or will that new high throughput system become a ‘white elephant’ with a high depreciation cost? An optimal solution is a lab automation set-up and integrated accessories that function well at low capacity but can be seamlessly scaled up when capacity increases. Modular solutions – especially those that are purpose-built to be compatible with commonly used off-the-shelf kits – are especially well-suited for pandemic responses, when solutions need to be rolled out fast. For example, as the COVID-19 pandemic expands, laboratories have had to scale up testing using high throughput approaches to isolate the viral RNA for downstream analysis. These workflows typically involve time-consuming steps such as scripting, protocol reconfiguration and
workflow optimization to ensure robust
The power of partnering
results. To avoid bottlenecks at this
For organizations that are considering
sample preparation stage, the entire process needs to be integrated into the overall workflow and scaled up quickly. Moreover, the automation solution needs to be compatible with preferred commercial kits, as well as being easily adaptable to accommodate new kits and protocols that may be introduced at a later time. Recently, Zymo Research and Tecan announced their partnership to launch a ready-to-go processing solution to streamline viral DNA/RNA extraction from nasopharyngeal swabs, oropharyngeal swabs, saliva, sputum, plasma and serum. “Nucleic acid extractions can be one of the most challenging, frustrating and time-consuming portions of a workflow to automate,” said Ryan Kemp, Director of Nucleic Acid Solutions at Zymo Research. “With push-to-start sample purification, the DreamPrep™ NAP workstation* is uniquely positioned to help labs around the world quickly and effectively scale their testing to accommodate a much larger number of tests and, ultimately, mitigate the spread of the virus.”
developing or scaling up production of a test kit, automated solution or other equipment for a rapid pandemic response, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the full process workflow, as well as an appreciation of the viewpoints of all relevant stakeholders involved in its use, purchase, validation and maintenance. Getting this information quickly can be challenging in times of crisis when resources and staff may be limited. One way to accelerate the process is to engage with an experienced partner who understands the industry, including the customer base and the regulatory landscape. There are many providers for various manufacturing and workflow optimization needs, so it makes sense to research them and find out what they can really provide. When considering potential partners, their manufacturing capabilities are an important piece of the puzzle, but not the only piece. Beyond conducting a thorough audit, including a site evaluation, it is essential to find
www.tecan.com/blog TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
5
COVID-19
indicators that a manufacturing
Traversing the changing
travel and maintain physical distance.
partner can be trusted to deliver.
regulatory landscape
The workforce at large has done
Service contracts, lifecycle
In times of global crisis, regulatory
surprisingly well at adapting to this new
management and a vertically
guidelines and approval processes
remote working structure. However,
integrated business are all important
can often change quickly and
laboratory personnel often don’t have
factors to consider. A compatible
unexpectedly. During the current
the option to work from a distance due
culture and good communication
pandemic, for example, the FDA
to a lack of automation and remote
mechanisms are also key to ensuring
posted multiple updates on its
operation capabilities. Remote
that a partner can correctly interpret
website 5 on any given day. Many of
operation and monitoring features have
the project requirements, even in the
these posts included regulatory
quickly shifted from being a
heat of a crisis. Of course, any
implications for testing and
productivity gimmick to an essential
manufacturing partner should also be
manufacturing. It is therefore essential
feature to keep laboratory workers
able to provide tangible proof that
that partners are not just familiar with
safe during a global pandemic.
they really can deliver. Ideally, this
current regulations, but are flexible
When incorporating remote working
should include years of industry
and experienced enough to interpret
features into an automation project,
experience, a demonstrated track
new guidelines and legislation, and
look for providers who have a track
record and workable prototypes that
incorporate them seamlessly into an
record with these advanced features,
can be validated and tested.
ongoing project on the fly. This offers
and can demonstrate their reliability.
a huge advantage if you need to
Working remotely has made software,
respond quickly to get laboratory
connectivity and security paramount,
solutions to market.
and untested systems are not going to
Since trust takes time to develop, it is best to start conversations with potential partners as early as possible
cut it. It is important to find a solution
– ideally before any crisis occurs –
Remote monitoring and digital
that can work quickly, and integrates
when there is still time to build strong
communication are no longer
with current workflows, before
relationships. This advanced
optional
capacity is high and the pressure is on.
groundwork gives a project with a manufacturing partner the best chance possible to hit the ground running when the time comes.
The Blog 6
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the remote workforce. Working from
Expecting the unexpected
home has been mandated in many
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted
countries to help reduce commuter
the value of quality lab automation while
TRENDS, NEWS, STORIES AND MUCH MORE! FROM THE EXPERTS TO YOU.
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
COVID-19
illuminating some potential pitfalls. To
References
cope with a rapidly spreading pathogen
1) Nicole Wetsman. Newly approved novel coronavirus test gives results in 45Â minutes. The Verge. March 2020. https://www.theverge. com/2020/3/23/21191055/rapidcoronavirus-test-hospital-fda
or other emerging global health threat, adaptable solutions need to be developed and rolled out more quickly than ever before. Key to being better prepared for the next crisis may be the availability of more modular end-to-end solutions, such as those developed for nucleic acid purification and NGS sample prep, with the capacity to scale up and down quickly to meet changing demands in the lab. With novel biological threats, the transition from research to in vitro diagnostics also has to be fast and seamless, and companies that can provide both have a significant edge.
2) Department of Health and Social Care. COVID-19 – Scaling up our testing programmes. April 2020. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/878121/coronaviruscovid-19-testing-strategy.pdf
4) Christopher E. Mason. COVID-19: A New Guest in the City-Biome. March 2020. https://tecan2.sharefile.com/share/ view/s5d7a29266fd4544b 5) U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). May 2020. https://www.fda.gov/emergencypreparedness-and-response/ counterterrorism-and-emerging-threats/ coronavirus-disease-2019-c *For research use only. Not for use in clinical diagnostics.
3) Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University. Roadmap to Pandemic Resilience. April 2020. https://ethics.harvard.edu/files/centerfor-ethics/files/ roadmaptopandemicresilience_ updated_4.20.20.pdf
emote operation and monitoring R features have quickly shifted from being a productivity gimmick to an essential feature to keep laboratory workers safe during a global pandemic.
www.tecan.com/blog TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
7
COVID-19
A beacon of light in the coronavirus pandemic UK Biocentre has been central to the UK Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, repurposing its entire facility to become a national center for SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing. To help meet an ambitious target of 100,000 tests per day across the country, the organization has established a new mega-lab, partnering with Tecan to design and commission a suite of liquid handling automation platforms in just a few weeks.
UK Biocentre is a government-funded,
The situation changed dramatically in
about repurposing our entire
not-for-profit company based in Milton
March 2020, when UK Biocentre was
laboratory, turning it into a national
Keynes. It was originally established to
approached by the government to
coronavirus testing center with a
receive, process and store vast numbers
become a national coronavirus testing
capacity of delivering tens of thousands
of biological samples on behalf of large
center, part of the UK’s network of
of tests per day.”
academic research projects across the
newly constructed Lighthouse Labs, a
country. Prior to the COVID-19
nationwide group of mega-labs set up
Tony continued: “We discussed the
pandemic, this world-leading sample
to dramatically increase the capacity
size and importance of the challenge
management and high capacity
for SARS-CoV-2 testing. UK Biocentre
as a team, and started planning
bioprocessing facility received hundreds,
CEO Dr Tony Cox explained: “We had
exactly what we would need to deliver
or even thousands, of predominantly
been watching the pandemic sweep
that scale of testing in a short time
blood samples each day for processing,
across Asia and into Europe, and knew
period. As we were being asked to
DNA extraction, and storage in its large
what was coming. On the 19 th of March,
increase our throughput by several
automated biobank. These samples were
the UK government, recognizing our
orders of magnitude, it was clear that
then made available on request to
experience in processing large
we needed to reach out for help, and
participating research groups.
numbers of samples, approached us
that a highly automated process was essential to deliver the scale required at a national level.” “Within nine weeks, we had completely refitted a 35 by 15 meter empty space as a new mega-lab and grown from a staff of 47 to 300, predominantly made up of volunteer lab scientists. We now have a suite of 24 Freedom EVO® liquid handling platforms that provide rapid, coordinated sample processing, with the capacity to process tens of thousands of samples each day and turnaround times of just a few hours. At the moment, the testing kits we receive contain live virus, which must be deactivated in a Class IIA biosafety cabinet before the sample can be processed. That’s quite
Automation has been key to the UK Biocentre’s ability to rapidly scale up molecular testing
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TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
COVID-19
ur processes are continually being O optimized and developed, and Tecan’s field application specialists are working side-by-side with us to achieve this.
a bottleneck in the workflow. However, the formulation of the swab testing kits will soon be changed to include an inactivating buffer, eliminating the need for this step. We will then be able to safely unpack the samples and place the tubes straight into racks and onto our automated platforms without using biosafety cabinets, which will significantly increase our processing capacity. The entire automated workflow is connected to Tecan’s Introspect™ software, which provides valuable real-time information on sample throughput and consumables usage, effectively monitoring productivity to help the lab process samples as efficiently as possible and avoid unnecessary delays.”
With so many Tecan systems in one lab, each instrument has been given its own name
“We are continuously scaling up testing to meet demand and are
instruments running. Our processes
and I’m not sure that I could ask an
preparing to deliver testing levels at
are continually being optimized and
awful lot more. It’s been fantastic,”
least one, and possibly two, orders of
developed, and Tecan’s field
Tony concluded.
magnitude higher than our current
application specialists are working
capacity. It’s a huge challenge, but it’s
side-by-side with us to achieve this.”
achievable thanks to the support of our volunteers and by working with
“There’s nothing like being set an
our partners to further streamline the
extraordinary challenge to pull teams
automated workflow. It’s not just
together and bring out the best in
about installing and commissioning
people to achieve success. The sheer
the Tecan systems; it takes an
investment of time and energy, in a
immense logistical and procurement
shared effort to make it all work, has
To learn more about UK Biocentre,
effort to maintain a constant supply of
been quite astounding. I’ve been really
go to www.ukbiocentre.com
reagents and consumables to keep the
pleased with the response from Tecan,
To find out more about Tecan’s solutions for COVID-19 testing, visit www.tecan.com/covid19
www.tecan.com/covid-19 TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
9
CUSTOM AUTOMATION
Customized solution supports automated compound management in core facility G-protein coupled receptors
Researchers at the iHuman Institute of
structure of these proteins, and we work
(GPCRs) have an integral role
ShanghaiTech University, China, are
closely with a very skilled imaging group
working to resolve various protein tissue
that can determine the finer detail of
structures. This data will help scientists
protein and cell structures, offering a
to understand more about the body as a
wealth of information.”
in the development of various diseases, and are therefore a key focus for many researchers
whole, as well as on a molecular and
investigating novel drug targets
cellular basis, in order to develop
“As a core facility, we help other
or attempting to understand
treatments for a range of diseases and
scientists at the university prepare
more about human health.
improve human health. Dr Yueming Xu,
samples for high throughput assays, so
Director of the Assay Development Core
if they are studying a particular GPCR
at the university, explained the workflow
and want to screen for ligands which
of the lab: “Our group works on high
can bind to it, that’s where we step in.
throughput screening processes, mainly
We manage a large biobank – a
laboratory solutions for
focusing on the structure and function
compound library that covers all 826
compound management in their
of GPCRs. This requires screening for
GPCRs in the human body – where we
busy core facility, and are using
ligands that bind to G-proteins and
have at least three sets of different
activate signaling pathways in the
constructs for each of the receptors,
human body. We have worked on many
so over 2,000 plasmids in total. These
different GPCRs, and have publications
samples are stored in an automated
looking into cannabinoid, serotonin and
freezer, and we use a customized Tecan
dopamine receptors, to name a few. Our
liquid handling workstation – based on
expertise is in resolving the molecular
a Freedom EVO® 200 platform – to
Scientists at ShanghaiTech University have implemented Tecan Labwerx™ customized
these automated systems to process high throughput assays, ultimately resolving important GPCR structures.
Yueming Xu and the team at the iHuman Institute of ShanghaiTech 10
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
CUSTOM AUTOMATION
centrifuge, stacker, sealer/peeler and
I mplementing the Tecan Labwerx solution has really helped us to manage our workload, which is important for a large lab in a core facility that is shared between various institutions and departments across the university.
capper/decapper. This level of automation has now taken over a huge portion of our workflow. We originally set up our experiments with a semi-automated desktop liquid handler; each plate took around 20 to 30 minutes for two people to prepare, and we needed to manually label them ourselves. On the Tecan system, we only need one member of staff to monitor it from time-to-time, and we can prepare 12 to 16 plates a day. Last
prepare the plasmids and manage the
and that we would have a fully
year, this allowed us to process 40,000
compound library, as well as occasionally
operational system up and running as
compounds into three different formats
helping us to prepare the screening assays.”
quickly as possible.”
– 2D barcoded tubes, 384-well plates for
The Assay Development Core first
The Assay Development Core now has a
decided to explore automated systems
tailored solution that fits all of its
for its DNA preparation workflow in
requirements. “We take the compound
“Implementing the Tecan Labwerx
2015, looking at the various off-the-shelf
plates out of the freezer and load them
solution has really helped us to manage
options available before choosing a
into the automated Cytomat™ 10 Hotel.
our workload, which is important for a
Tecan Labwerx customized solution.
The system spins them down in the
large lab in a core facility that is shared
Yueming continued: “I joined the
integrated centrifuge and replicates
between various institutions and
iHuman Institute in 2014, and a year
them, performing serial dilutions as
departments across the university. I have
later we started to consider automation
required to generate the assay plates.
shared my positive experiences with
options. We needed a solution that
These plates are then automatically
Tecan with other researchers at the
could be used to prepare and back up
sealed and returned to the hotel, ready
university and now, within our core
our biobank library, and we also wanted
for us to take out and run our
facility, there are three other groups using
to see if we could automate the plasmid
experiments. Running the workflow is
Tecan instruments for various projects –
extraction process. We had an outline of
easy and reliable; as the instrument is
such as phage display, PCR set-ups and
the kind of system that we were
automated, we know that there is no
cell-based assays,” Yueming concluded.
planning to build, and talked to a few
chance of human error in the process.
different companies to discuss our
We actually have two workflows that
requirements, as we were not quite sure
run perfectly using the same platform,
what kind of integration we could have.
as we use the system to both prepare
Each company gave us an integration
the compound libraries and process the
proposal and, after discussing our
plasmids. We initially thought that if we
experimental plan with various experts,
wanted to switch the process, then we’d
it was Tecan that stood out from the
need to rearrange the layout on the
crowd, offering us a very detailed plan
workstation, but the two different
of exactly how everything would work
set-ups can actually be run on different
– it was a full solution. This made me
days without making any changes.”
acoustic dispensers, and regular 96-well
confident that Tecan understood the lab’s needs, that the set-up would be
“It’s fantastic to have one compact
customized exactly to our application,
system that has an integrated
plates – for different applications.”
To find out more about Tecan’s Labwerx solutions, visit www.tecan.com/labwerx To learn more about the iHuman Institute, go to ihuman.shanghaitech.edu.cn
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
11
COVID-19
Racing against a pandemic The emergence and outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 at the end of 2019 has created an urgent need for testing to help limit the spread of COVID-19. AusDiagnostics has used its patented, multiplexedtandem PCR technology to develop a test to detect SARS-CoV-2 and distinguish between the different causes of coronavirus-like infections.
Infectious diseases are one of the
microbiology. Since then, we have grown
at a time and, while their symptoms
greatest threats to public health
our product range to cover everything
indicate one pathogen, they actually
worldwide, with recent major outbreaks
from respiratory diseases and food
have a much higher level of something
including Ebola, Zika and, most recently,
pathogens to cyanobacteria and cattle
else entirely! It’s therefore much better
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Molecular
parasites. We pride ourselves on working
to test for a complete panel of diseases,
testing is essential for the detection of
closely with our customers to ensure
because if you test for just one – and
these RNA viruses, and Sydney-based
they have a reagent kit that exactly
you find a positive – the patient may
AusDiagnostics supplies a range of
matches their needs – including altering
only be treated for that indication,
highly multiplexed molecular tests used
existing panels to meet national or
rather than the pathogen that is most
by the medical, veterinary, food, water
regional legislation.”
important to treat.”
Keith Stanley, Managing Director,
“Our patented multiplexed-tandem PCR
Following the outbreak of COVID-19,
explained the company’s origins: “We
technology allows the detection of
AusDiagnostics developed several kits
launched AusDiagnostics in 2006 to
multiple targets in one sample, without
that can be used to detect the presence
commercialize a novel technique for
compromising analytical sensitivity and
of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The fast spread
multiplexing PCR. At the time, it was the
specificity. Multiplexing offers a
of this novel coronavirus means that
start of the H5N1 (avian) influenza
complete picture of what is wrong with
testing is vital to reduce transmission
outbreak, so we were initially focused on
a patient. For example, 10 to 15 percent
and distinguish between patients
designing tests and panels for
of people have more than one infection
infected with COVID-19 and other
and environmental sectors. Professor
infections with similar symptoms. Keith continued: “For each test we develop, we look for the best place to position our primers in the whole genome of the virus, and our validation studies show that our products are close to 100 percent sensitive and specific. Our main screening kit has two targets for SARS-CoV-2 plus influenza A, influenza B and RSV, while our other kits have 16 or 24 respiratory targets. Using two targets for SARS-CoV-2 on the one panel makes it very unlikely that a sample that is positive for both targets could be a false positive. Two different sets of primers – each consisting of four primers – have to bind, which requires eight separate hybridizations to get a positive result. A further advantage is that having two targets helps to protect against mutations. In a single target test, there is a danger of false negatives if AusDiagnostics’ Ultra-Plex systems offer walkaway, multiplex processing for molecular detection 12
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
your amplicon falls in the region where a
COVID-19
mutation has occurred. By using two targets, we can look for drift in the ratio between targets in our customers’ data, to see if we can pick up changes that may be occurring. Our workflow also has two PCR steps, which has the advantage of making our test very sensitive, and so we pick up positives that even a reference lab may miss.” The company’s technology allowed it to respond very quickly to the COVID-19 crisis, positively testing its first clinical sample by the 31st of January – less than three weeks after the first sequence was published – and achieving CE marking by the beginning of March. Keith added: “We’re now producing a quarter of a million of these tests a month here in Australia, and another 150,000 a month in the UK. These tests are designed for throat or nasal swabs, and run on our bespoke molecular diagnostics systems.”
The AusDiagnostics Ultra-Plex 96 uses four Cavro ADPs to conduct a two-step PCR workflow in as little as 3.5 hours
that are likely to occur if done manually; running a test is as simple as putting your name in, uploading the sample IDs, selecting the panel you’re going to run and pressing go.” “We wanted to get this platform to market quickly, and decided to
The Cavro Air Displacement Pipettor (ADP) was a great solution, as it was ready made, reducing engineering research and speeding up the development of our full platform. Each of AusDiagnostics’ molecular diagnostic platforms consists of two main elements – a sample processor and a real-time PCR analyzer. When developing its latest platform – the Ultra-Plex 96 system, which launched in early 2020 – the company turned to Tecan to help reduce time to market. Keith continued: “The Ultra-Plex 96 can conduct a two-step PCR workflow in parallel, and it has a built-in 96-well thermal cycler on the workdeck. The system can run an assay panel with 768 individual PCR results in as little as 3.5 hours, with the ability to reload samples every two hours, making it perfect for the volume of samples that need to be screened during a pandemic. The automation reduces the risk of errors
use an off-the-shelf pipetting mechanism. We turned to Tecan to meet this need because we were already using 10 Freedom EVO® 150 liquid handling workstations in the production of our kits, and so we trust the company’s technology inherently. The Cavro® Air Displacement Pipettor (ADP) was a great solution, as it was ready made, reducing engineering research and speeding up the development of our full platform. We had already developed some of our own pipetting heads, and so we could admire the cleverness of Tecan’s technology, as well as see that the component met our precision and reproducibility needs. We were able to easily integrate the ADP into our own
robotic platform, and it communicates seamlessly via a USB port.” “There is huge demand for our platform at the moment, from both hospital and private laboratories; we are shipping to customers as quickly as we can. We appreciate the cooperation and collaboration that we have had from Tecan throughout this project, and the team has been very proactive in helping us to find the right solution at each phase. We were even alerted when Tecan started to offer clear disposable tips that would help us reduce the cost to our customers. The Tecan team has also helped with scheduling parts deliveries, checking our stock levels and delaying shipment if we weren’t ready or, more likely in the current situation, speeding up an order if we were running low. Our platform and kits are really making a difference in this pandemic, and Tecan has helped us to achieve this.”
To find out more about Tecan’s Cavro ADP, visit www.tecan.com/cavro-adp To learn more about AusDiagnostics, go to www.ausdiagnostics.com
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
13
PUBLIC HEALTH
Improving quality of HIV diagnosis in Kenya Gaining an accurate diagnosis of HIV is essential to ensure that patients get the right treatment, and that the disease is contained as much as possible. In Kenya, where HIV is prevalent, the quality of testing across the country is being monitored through a program established in 2007 that sends out manually produced proficiency testing panels. The demand for this service has grown immensely with the development of point-ofcare testing and, to address this, the National Public Health Laboratory has turned to automation to produce more samples in a shorter timeframe and with improved accuracy.
An estimated 1.5 million people in Kenya
misdiagnosis of HIV status has
false negative results could potentially
are living with HIV, making efficient and
increased, as Sophie Mwanyumba,
lead to a public health disaster.”
accurate diagnosis essential in order to
Production Manager for the Ministry of
effectively treat patients and keep the
Health, discussed: “Accurate HIV
“In 2007, we implemented a national
disease under control. The recent
detection is incredibly important;
proficiency program that significantly
introduction of rapid HIV testing (RHT)
wrongly diagnosing someone as HIV
improved quality assurance for HIV
at the point of patient care has meant
positive when they are actually negative
diagnostics. To begin with, just 24
that screening is far more widely
can potentially lead to distressing
facilities took part, however, since then,
available across the country. However,
domestic issues on an individual basis,
testing has spread out to the point of
because diagnostic methods are far
and there have been cases in the past
patient care as well as the traditional
simpler than before, much of the
where legal action has been taken
central laboratories; the quality control
analysis is now performed by healthcare
because of a false positive result.
service must now cover individual
workers with varying degrees of training
Equally importantly – and although
healthcare providers as well as larger
and skill. As a result, the risk of
research is limited – it is evident that
facilities, and has grown to include over
The Freedom EVO platform has transformed the production of proficiency testing panels at Kenya’s National Public Health Laboratory
14
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
PUBLIC HEALTH
20,000 participants, which is a huge
2,000 samples in the same time frame.
increase! Twice a year, we prepare and
Overall, it takes around two weeks to
send out six unknown positive and
complete the whole process. Even
negative proficiency testing panels to
though the workflow is not yet fully
each provider for routine testing using
automated, having the platform has
their usual methods. They then send us
already reduced the entire sample
back their results and, from that, we can
preparation turnaround time from three
evaluate their accuracy, and provide
months to only one, and we still have
corrective action guidance to those with
the capacity to do more.”
incorrect results.”
To find out more about the Freedom EVO 200, visit https://lifesciences.tecan.com/ freedom-evo-platform To learn more about the National Public Health Laboratory in Kenya, go to nphl.go.ke
“The proficiency testing program, aided Sophie continued: “For many years, we
by automation, has been revolutionary
prepared the proficiency testing panels
in enabling us to assure the quality of
manually, carrying out the entire
RHT across Kenya, and this has led to
pipetting procedure by hand. There
huge improvements. There has been a
were, however, several drawbacks to this
progressive downward trend in the
method: it took a long time to prepare
percentage of incorrect results reported
the samples; manual errors were much
by service providers; it is now less than
more likely; and it was a very laborious
five percent. Looking forward, we are
process for skilled staff. In 2015, we
planning to expand our proficiency
acquired a Freedom EVO® 200 system
testing program and use the system for
with the aim of speeding up and
quality assurance of hepatitis B and
improving the sample production
syphilis screening. Thanks to the
workflow. Some members of the team
Freedom EVO, we have the opportunity
were apprehensive at first as they were
to enhance quality assurance for many
so used to performing everything
biomarkers in the future,” Sophie
manually, but the Tecan team was very
concluded.
helpful and supportive, working with us directly to train our staff and on-site engineers so that we could all use the system fully and effectively. Now, it is fantastic; the platform has really given us the upper hand in production quality, helping us to prepare accurate volumes and ensure the samples are dispensed correctly. We can dispense 14,400 samples in a period of only two hours,
he platform has really given us T the upper hand in production quality, helping us to prepare accurate volumes and ensure the samples are dispensed correctly.
compared to manually pipetting just
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
15
COVID-19
Transferrable skills The COVID-19 pandemic has required an unprecedented level of collaboration within the scientific community, as labs around the world aim to characterize and understand the SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to develop and implement new diagnostic tests, therapeutics and vaccines. This cooperative approach has led to some unexpected partnerships, as techniques and knowhow from across numerous disciplines are brought together to accelerate research and testing activities. Professor Nir Friedman’s team at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been at the center of one such situation, using its knowledge of workflow automation from investigating yeast genomics to develop a novel large-scale sequencing-based assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The research conducted by Professor
“The lab is a mix of molecular and
labeled knock out yeasts, but have
Nir Friedman’s team at the Hebrew
computational biologists, so we tend
more recently started to use DNA-Seq,
University of Jerusalem is normally
to run large-scale analyses, screening
RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq techniques to
focused on investigating the
thousands of strains of yeast for many
gain an even deeper understanding.
transcription machinery of eukaryotes,
studies. Automation is obviously well
The Freedom EVO platform allows us
however, the group has recently found
suited to this work, and we have been
to perform these studies on a large
itself at the forefront of efforts to
using a Freedom EVO® workstation for
scale – keeping the lab’s
develop a straightforward molecular
over 10 years. Our unique instrument
computational biologists happy – by
diagnostics workflow for COVID-19
configuration also includes a
providing fast and efficient nucleic
testing in Israel. Researcher Dr Ayelet
microplate reader, a FACS analyzer
acid extraction.”
Rahat explained: “Our normal activities
and an automated fluorescence
have nothing to do with diagnostics or
microscope, all fully integrated with
“When the COVID-19 pandemic spread
coronaviruses; we primarily use yeast
the Tecan platform to provide
across the globe, it was this experience
as a model organism to look at the
completely automated data
of high throughput nucleic acid
various molecules associated with
acquisition. We were originally using
processing that became crucial.
chromatin and transcription, such as
this set-up in combination with an
We were in the process of shutting
histones and promoters.”
extensive library of fluorescently-
down the lab to comply with Israeli
Professor Friedman’s group at the University of Jerusalem (NOTE: Photo taken prior to social distancing) 16
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
COVID-19
This highlighted how important local support is for laboratory automation. government advice, when we received a call from the Hadassah Medical Center, which operates two large university hospitals in West Jerusalem. They were having trouble sourcing commercial RNA extraction kits to
immediate solution to the diagnostics
“One of the most important aspects of
perform RT-qPCR-based diagnostic
laboratory in the hospital.”
this workflow – which has already been published* – is that it does not require
testing, and wanted our help in developing a generic diagnostic
“We originally chose the Tecan
bespoke reagents. Once you have
protocol suitable for high throughput.
instrument due to a combination of its
purchased the paramagnetic beads,
Although this seemed a long way from
flexibility – allowing us to integrate
you simply run the protocols using
our yeast work, we obviously agreed
various analytical devices onto the
buffers that are easy to make in any lab.
to help.”
platform – and the excellent support
This is crucial in a pandemic situation,
provided by Tecan’s local distributor
where there is unprecedented demand
“We initially attempted to create an
Neotec Bio, and both of these factors
on supply chains, and commercial
RNA extraction protocol using filter
have been very important for this
extraction kits may not be readily
plates and a vacuum system, but this
project. Dr Moshe Cohen from Neotec
available. We are very pleased to have
proved unsuitable for the kind of
has been instrumental in helping us to
been able to contribute, however
throughput we were trying to achieve.
develop the new workflow, offering
unexpectedly, to the efforts to fight the
One of the PhD students in the lab,
technical support and advice. For
pandemic, and have also gained
Alon Chappelboim, suggested adapting
example, we were used to working in
experience and capabilities from this
ideas from the barcoded beads
small sample volumes, and so initially
project that will benefit our routine
technology we were already using for
developed the protocol to work with 30
research activities going forward,”
single cell RNA-Seq. This approach
to 35 microliters of samples. However,
Ayelet concluded.
allows us to capture viral RNA in
this led to a relatively high limit of
individual patient samples, then release
detection, meaning that patients with
the barcoded RNA from the beads,
very low viral titers were at risk of
pool the samples together for RT-PCR,
receiving false negative results. Moshe
sequence the pooled samples, and use
suggested we switch to deep-well
the barcodes to link the results back to
plates, allowing us to move to larger
individual patients. This protocol –
sample volumes. We had no experience
To find out more about Tecan’s
developed in association with Dr Naomi
with these plates, but he helped us to
nucleic acid purification solutions,
Habib’s lab from the Edmond and Lily
adapt the protocol and instrument
visit www.tecan.com/nap
Safra Center for Brain Sciences at the
settings very quickly to accommodate
university – is still under development.
the new format, and this highlighted
To have a closer look at the robotic
However, the first step of viral RNA
how important local support is for laboratory automation. We also had
set-up at Professor Friedman’s lab,
capture on magnetic beads could replace commercial RNA extraction
help from a number of other local
protocols and this, followed by the
scientists to optimize and refine the
conventional RT-qPCR test, will give an
workflow – it was a real team effort.”
*Sars-CoV2 RNA purification with homemade SPRI beads for RT-qPCR test www.protocols.io/view/sars-cov2-rnapurification-with-homemade-spri-beadbeswjefe
go to http://systemsbio.cs.huji. ac.il/Friedmans_Lab/Robotic_ Facility.html
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
17
IMMUNOASSAYS
Using saliva to study hormones Hormones are specialist chemical messengers that provide a communication system between different parts of the body. They affect everything from growth and metabolism to appetite and mood, while also playing a vital role in puberty and fertility. When hormone imbalances occur, they can lead to a number of health issues, including infertility and menopausal problems in women. Medicare PLUS is using saliva testing to identify these hormone level imbalances for individuals across Slovenia and further afield.
Hormones play a vital role in regulating
Slovenia – specializes in hormone testing
“Much of our work is helping middle-
the function of many organs – including
to diagnose and monitor a range of
aged women who are suffering from a
the reproductive tract, bones, kidneys,
conditions. Aleš Koščak, CEO of
sudden change in health or mood, but
liver and muscles – and only need to be
Medicare PLUS, explained: “We test for
we also help younger patients who are
present in the body in tiny amounts to
two main groups of hormones. The first
having problems with irregular – or a
have dramatic effects. As a result, even a
is the hormones that affect our daily
lack of – periods due to hormonal
slight imbalance in the complex cascade
well-being and can lead to stress,
imbalance. For instance, about 10
of reactions that occur between glands
burnout and depression, including
percent of women with high levels of
that secrete these hormones and the
cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone
testosterone have polycystic ovary
delivery of a chemical message to a
(DHEA) and melatonin. These can be
syndrome, with symptoms including
target tissue or organ can lead to health
used to assess the health of the adrenal
irregular or absent menstruation and
issues. For example, the levels of various
gland and its impact on the thyroid. The
infertility. In contrast, low levels of sex
reproductive hormones in women need
other group – which makes up the
hormones can lead to fatigue, malaise
to modulate precisely and frequently to
majority of our work – is the sex
and osteoporosis. To help an individual
control the menstrual cycle, the ability to
hormones and, for women, our studies
understand and manage their health
become pregnant, and the menopause.
mainly focus around progesterone,
problems, it’s often best to examine the
Medicare PLUS – based in Ljubljana,
estradiol and testosterone.”
hormone balance as a whole, including the daily cortisol profile and levels of all the sex hormones in combination with blood test results, such as cholesterol and hemoglobin levels.” The company uses saliva testing to analyze the free levels of hormones in a patient. Aleš continued: “We use saliva samples as we are able to measure free levels of hormones, which are biologically available and unbound. You can’t get these sorts of results from blood tests because around 95 to 99 percent of steroid hormones circulating in the blood are bound to carrier proteins and inactive. Results from saliva diagnostics therefore provide a more accurate representation of the true concentrations of these hormones in the body, offering a better indication of how they may be responsible for any
Some of the Medicare PLUS team: Petra Okoren, lab engineer (left), Bianca Bevc, head nurse (middle) and Aleš Koščak, CEO (right)
18
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
patient symptoms.”
IMMUNOASSAYS
ll of the kits have been A developed to work on the same assay principles, which makes [them] very simple and intuitive for us to use.
“The benefits of saliva testing extend to the patient too. For some people, having blood taken is a painful and stressful process – and this stress can even affect results when looking at cortisol levels – whereas the non-invasive nature of saliva testing is stress free, eliminating the problem entirely. It’s also much easier to study the fluctuations in hormones over time, which is especially useful when looking at the menstrual cycle of women suffering from fertility
percent. Tecan also runs an independent
problems, or to look at ‘before and after’
quality control scheme as an additional
effects of treatments, such as hormone
service that allows us to compare the
replacement therapy for post-
performance of our testing results
menopausal women. Patients can take
against other labs, which is vital to meet
samples in the comfort of their own
our external quality control regulations
home, and take them multiple times per
set by the Ministry of Health.”
day, because samples don’t need further processing or special storage conditions.
“The Tecan team has been very
This sort of frequent sampling outside of
supportive to our team over the years
a lab/clinic would be nearly impossible
– they have a lot of knowledge and
using blood collection.”
expertise in the area, and always have answers to our technical questions.
“I had used Tecan’s saliva immunoassay
When Medicare PLUS was founded,
kits in a previous role, and knew I
saliva testing was a relatively new
wanted to continue to use them when
concept in Slovenia. It’s since grown in
we established saliva testing here at
popularity, and now we test samples
Medicare PLUS. All of the Tecan ELISA
from all over Slovenia, and also from
kits we use – estradiol, progesterone,
neighboring countries, such as Croatia,
cortisol, testosterone, DHEA and
Italy, Serbia and Bosnia. Patients are
melatonin – have been developed to
able to come to us directly for a sample
To find out more about Tecan’s
work on the same assay principles,
collection kit, or via a referral from their
range of saliva diagnostics kits,
which makes it very simple and intuitive
doctor. On top of this, we have also
visit www.tecan.com/ibl
for us to use the different kits for all of
partnered with several affiliated clinics
our testing workflows. The kits are very
to help meet the demand for this
To learn more about Medicare
reliable too, consistently performing to
service, and we believe that the need
PLUS, go to
the high standards we require and
for this service will continue to grow,”
generating very low CVs of under eight
concluded Aleš.
www.medicareplus.si/en/
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
19
CELL BIOLOGY
A sensitive subject Determining if a new cosmetic product, pharmaceutical ingredient or chemical substance is harmful to humans is a key prerequisite for product safety and consumer protection. Traditionally, skin sensitization testing relied on animal models, but these approaches are expensive, time consuming and raise ethical questions, while only offering limited human relevance and accuracy. SenzaGen has developed a unique, in vitro approach to sensitization testing, combining cell biology and flow cytometry with genomics-based screening and machine learning-assisted classifications.
The use of animal models for safety
and created a need for alternative
pharmaceutical and medical device
testing of pharmaceuticals is coming
strategies for skin sensitization testing.
industries – as researchers and
under increasing scrutiny due to a
This led to the spin out of Swedish
regulators are becoming increasingly
combination of financial and ethical
start-up SenzaGen from Lund
aware of the scientific shortcomings of
pressures, and a growing scientific
University’s Department of
animal testing, and companies working
awareness that the results of these
Immunotechnology, as company CEO
in these areas try to reduce the cost of
studies can be inaccurate or
Axel Sjöblad explained: “SenzaGen was
safety testing. Our flexible technology
misleading. Although animal testing is
created to provide an advanced in vitro
platform has allowed us to develop a
still mandatory for the regulatory
approach to sensitization testing that
range of scalable assays to meet the
approval of pharmaceutical products,
combines cell biology, genomics and
needs of these different markets and,
many other sectors are moving away
machine learning to classify substances
today, we offer four distinct tests –
from the use of animal studies in
as either sensitizing or non-sensitizing.
GARDskin, GARDpotency, GARDair and
determining product safety. Probably
The ban on animal testing in the
GARDskin Medical Device.”
the most prominent of these is the
cosmetics industry was the driving
cosmetics industry, where animal
force behind the company’s founding
Ulrika Mattson, Senior Application
testing has already been banned in
– and this remains a key market for us
Scientist at SenzaGen, took up the
many jurisdictions worldwide for a
– but we have since expanded into a
story: “Our GARD assays can essentially
number of years.
number of other areas.”
be divided into six steps; the first two
The EU ban on the use of animals to
“There is growing demand for this type
involve genomics and machine learning.
test the safety of cosmetics or their
of service across many other sectors –
The process begins with our own
ingredients came into force in 2013,
including the chemicals,
human myeloid leukemia cell line,
are cell based, and the remaining steps
SenzaCells, which we expose to varying concentrations of the test compounds that we receive from our customers. Following overnight incubation, we then perform a cell cytotoxicity analysis using flow cytometry, and isolate RNA from the cells for transcriptomic analysis by hybridization, based on a custom gene panel unique to each assay. Finally, we use our in-house machine learning algorithms to analyze all the data and determine which compounds are sensitizing.” Ulrika continued: “The accuracy of the first steps – creating serial dilutions of each of the test substances, dosing the SenzaCells, and cell harvest for both cell cytotoxicity analysis and RNA isolation – is crucial to the outcome The Fluent workstation provides Ulrika Mattson (pictured) and the SenzaGen team with consistency and reliability for the GARD assays
20
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
of the process. We were initially performing these steps manually, but
CELL BIOLOGY
Crucially, we immediately had a good connection with the local Tecan representative, who worked hard to understand our exact requirements and what we wanted to achieve through automation.
Axel Sjöblad, CEO of SenzaGen
quickly realized that automation of this
a good connection with the local
portion of the workflow, which is time
Tecan representative, who
consuming and requires very precise
worked hard to understand our
and accurate pipetting, would be really
exact requirements and what we
beneficial. This was primarily because
wanted to achieve through automation
of the release of resources and
before we even purchased the system.”
consistency automation offers, rather than to increase throughput, although
“Although we had not previously
Axel added: “The Fluent platform fits
automation obviously gives us the
worked with Tecan, I have over 20
very well into our workflow, consistently
capacity to cope with significant
years of experience in laboratory
and reliably performing the routine
expansion in the future. We looked at
automation and, for me, it is very
operations that are crucial for our
the various solutions on the market that
important to factor in the support you
process. This has helped us to create a
could meet our requirements, and
will receive when choosing a solution
technology platform that outperforms
eventually chose the Fluent®
for your lab. For example, when we first
all the in vivo and in vitro tests currently
Automation Workstation, because it
established our automated protocols,
on the market, and provides a real and
offers very precise, fast and accurate
we were experiencing poor cell viability
practical alternative to replace the one
pipetting, and could be configured to
compared to manual processing, but
million mice a year currently used for
be very flexible to accommodate our
the support we received from Tecan’s
skin sensitization testing.”
development needs, which is an
field application specialists helped us
important consideration for a company
to resolve this issue by using gentle
in the commercialization and growth
pipetting parameters in combination
phase. The system also has a number of
with the company’s wide bore tips. This
integrated options – such as a tilting
kind of advice is vital to getting the
carrier to reduce dead volumes, and a
most out of any automated solution, as
HEPA filter hood to prevent
even seemingly straightforward
contamination – that were
pipetting operations pose technical
To learn more about SenzaGen,
important for our workflow.
challenges when you require absolute
go to https://senzagen.com
Crucially, we immediately had
consistency and reproducibility.”
To find out more about Tecan’s cell-based screening solutions, visit www.tecan.com/cellbiology
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
21
BIOPROCESSING
A smooth path for novel biologics Cell culture is at the heart of the production process for many biopharmaceuticals, but finding the optimal conditions to maximize yield can be a complex and time-consuming process. Traditional process development relies on costly and labor-intensive set-ups, significantly limiting throughput and the range of experimental conditions that can be assessed. Scientists in Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED) have adopted an alternative approach, combining single-use microbioreactors with advanced automation and analytical platforms to streamline the workflow. The production of large biological
establishing a highly productive final
were asked by the management to look
molecules for therapeutic use is
process. Fermentation development
for a way to do even more process
complex, requiring expression of the
has historically relied on performing
development for more complex
target peptide, protein or antibody in
parallel experiments using a number of
biotherapeutic candidates, as well as
suitable host systems, followed by
shake flasks or two-liter bioreactors,
double the number of projects we
extraction and purification to yield the
with continuous sampling to enable
performed per year. This clearly wasn’t
final drug. Efficient expression requires
process monitoring and analytics.
going to be possible with our existing
not just the right host organism and
Unfortunately, this approach is both
workflow – a very hands-on process
clone, but also the right physical
time consuming and labor intensive,
– without significantly increasing
conditions and chemical environment
with one researcher able to handle just
headcount, which wasn’t an option.”
to promote production. Exploring these
a few bioreactors simultaneously.
numerous parameters to optimize
“We looked at the various solutions on
biotherapeutic production is a very
When the Bioprocess Research
the market and chose the Ambr® high
time-consuming process, requiring cell
Department at the Roche site in
throughput, single-use microbioreactor
expansion followed by numerous
Penzberg, Germany, was challenged
system from Sartorius. We now have
fermentations in parallel to identify the
with significantly increasing the number
two different types of Ambr system:
best candidate and conditions for its
of proteins it produced, the team
four Ambr 15s, which can run up to 48
expression. As such, the more data
realized they needed to look for an
parallel fermentations of up to 15 ml,
points that can be obtained for each
alternative solution. Pawel Linke, a lab
and five Ambr 250s that allow us to run
variable, the greater the probability of
automation specialist, explained: “We
12 larger scale, 250 ml fermentations simultaneously. This shift represented a huge increase in capacity, allowing us to run four or five times as many experiments with the same number of staff. However, it also created new challenges, as we significantly increased the number of samples to be analyzed. We therefore needed a way of efficiently processing up to 250 samples every day, before analyzing them on a Cedex Bio HT Analyzer from our sister division Roche Diagnostics.” “We have a huge number of laboratory automation systems here in Penzberg and, based on this experience, we decided that a Tecan liquid handling platform would be the best fit for our needs. A key requirement for our
The Cedex Bio HT Analyzer’s microplate-based sampling system allows easy transfer of samples between devices
22
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
workflow was the ability to integrate a large centrifuge to spin down the samples before analysis, and the
BIOPROCESSING
e now have two different sized Fluent systems W with slightly different configurations, giving us more than enough capacity to process samples for every Ambr bioreactor every day.
The Fluent workstation is fully integrated into the lab’s workflow and the SDC middleware solution
Fluent® Automation Workstation’s
some onboard analytics. Although both
provides the relevant information to the
ability to mount a Hettich
have cooling modules, we have now
Cedex Bio HT Analyzer. This means that,
ROTANTA 460 robotic centrifuge
developed a workflow based on sealed,
although each platform is effectively a
below the worktable was a real
pre-pierced plates that can be accessed
standalone instrument, the software
benefit. We simply place the samples
by the LiHa. This avoids evaporation
environment is as automated as the
from the bioreactors on the workdeck,
without the need for cooling, further
physical process. It’s a very smooth
and the system is able to automatically
simplifying the workflow.”
workflow, and provides a feedback loop back to the bioreactor. We developed
load them into the centrifuge using its Robotic Gripper Arm™ (RGA). Once
“When we first implemented this set-up,
this approach because we have many
spun down, the Fluent platform splits
the Cedex Bio HT Analyzer required 15
different researchers in the lab, working
the supernatant into several aliquots in
samples to be loaded into a metal rack
on a number of different projects. The
different labware formats, depending
for processing, but we have since
touchscreen user interface on the Fluent
on the downstream application.”
worked with our Roche Diagnostics
workstations makes it very easy for
Custom Biotech colleagues to develop a
people to walk up and use the systems
“We now have two different sized
96-well microplate-based sampling
with only minimal training – we have
Fluent systems with slightly different
system, allowing us to more efficiently
around 30 regular users – with a couple
configurations, giving us more than
transfer large numbers of samples
of ‘key users’ to handle protocol
enough capacity to process samples
between devices. We have also
development and maintenance tasks. All
for every Ambr bioreactor every day,
implemented Sm@rtline Data Cockpit
together, it’s a great fit for our needs.”
although we do not have this many
(SDC) middleware (AGU GmbH) to
experiments running in parallel at
streamline the flow of data between the
present. The smaller system is
Ambr, Fluent and Cedex instruments.
equipped with an RGA for labware
This solution is able to take the sample
movements and an eight-channel
IDs from Ambr systems and provide
To find out more about Tecan’s
Liquid Handling Arm™ (LiHa) for
that information to Tecan’s
Fluent Automation Workstation,
pipetting, while the larger system has a
FluentControl™ software. The Fluent
visit www.tecan.com/fluent
third arm equipped with a Multiple
platform uses an integrated barcode
Channel Arm™, allowing entire 96-well
scanner to confirm the identity of each
microplates to be duplicated or
sample, associates that ID with all the
transferred simultaneously. Each
aliquots it generates for downstream
platform also has an integrated Tecan
analysis, and exports the information
microplate reader on the workdeck for
back to SDC. The middleware then
For more information about Roche’s Cedex Analyzers, go to custombiotech.roche.com/cedex
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
23
CELL BIOLOGY
Generating success in regenerative biology Stem cells offer the potential to revolutionize the treatment of many currently incurable conditions, as well as providing invaluable research tools to further our understanding of biological processes. Since stem cell pioneer Dr James Thomson derived the first human embryonic stem cell line in 1998, this has grown into a whole new field of biology. Dr Thomson and his team at the Morgridge Institute for Research are still at the forefront of this research, using their vast knowledge and experience to develop novel therapeutic approaches and tackle many of the unanswered questions in developmental biology.
The Morgridge Institute for Research in
explained: “The Thomson Lab’s work
species – such as a mouse and a human.1
Wisconsin is home to a wide array of
encompasses a broad spectrum of stem
It’s almost a complete mystery what
scientific disciplines, from regenerative
cell-based research. On one hand,
determines the intrinsic rate of
biology to medical engineering and
they’re using stem cells to try and
differentiation of cells, and the slow
high throughput computing. Major
understand the biological underpinnings
pace of human cell development is
discoveries in the Thomson Lab over
of cell development while, on the other,
currently one of the limitations of stem
the last two decades have propelled the
they’re investigating how this
cell-based therapies; it takes a long time
Morgridge Institute to a world-leading
knowledge could be translated into
to produce specialized mature cells. If
position in the field of stem cell and
therapeutic approaches that are
we can understand the mechanism
regenerative biology. This remains the
ultimately intended for the clinic. For
governing this developmental clock, we
focus of the lab today, as Chris Barry, a
example, the lab has investigated the
could potentially speed it up to produce
former researcher in the Thomson Lab
timing mechanisms underpinning
these therapies in a more clinically-
who now works for the International
different mammalian gestation periods,
relevant timeframe.”
Society for Stem Cell Research,
looking at the differences between “The knowledge gained from this work feeds into the lab’s other research as well, where one of the major areas of interest is vascular biology, as cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading cause of mortality. For instance, vascular grafts have a lot of therapeutic potential but, unfortunately, many patients experience rapid progression of disease into these grafts following surgery. The lab is therefore investigating how to differentiate stem cells into specialized blood vessel cells that can resist this deterioration and avoid rejection by the immune system. Alongside this work, the lab is also exploring stem cellbased therapies for a variety of other conditions, such as stroke, liver disease and diabetes.” Like many stem cell laboratories around the world, the Thomson Lab uses laboratory automation as part of its
The Thomson Lab brings together expertise from across the field of stem cell and regenerative biology
24
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
workflow. Mitchell Probasco, Project Manager of Automation, explained how
CELL BIOLOGY
its Tecan systems are instrumental to
– sampling every four minutes for 10
Chris continued: “This latest study only
the research. “We have a Freedom
hours. This has enabled us to achieve a
really investigated the early stages of
EVO® workstation with an integrated
significantly higher resolution and
differentiation, looking at what
Infinite® M1000 microplate reader in the
accuracy – something that would have
happens in the first 10 hours from the
lab. These were originally acquired to
been impractical or impossible to
triggering stimulus. As the team looks
perform high throughput screening to
otherwise attain.”
beyond this time frame, we should be
determine the optimal culture
able to gain a wider understanding of
conditions for stem cells, testing
Rhonda Bacher from the Department of
the underlying developmental process.
different media components and
Biostatistics at the University of Florida
The lab also plans to further improve
parameters. We soon realized the
has been collaborating with the
the automated workflow to achieve
automation systems were capable of
Thomson Lab on this project,
even higher resolution than the current
doing far more, and had the idea of
developing the statistical tools required
four-minute sampling frequency, and
using the Tecan system to do time-
to effectively analyze the data. She
for a longer duration. This will enable
course experiments investigating
added: “As this is a new approach to
them to look even closer at a part of
differentiation rates.”
differentiation research, there weren’t
biology that is rarely studied, as well as
many existing methods that were
expanding ongoing projects to include other cell types and lineages.”
utomation has been key to this, A eliminating the need for manual sampling and allowing us to follow cell differentiation at a temporal resolution that has rarely been achieved before.
1) Barry, C et al. Automated minute scale RNA-seq of pluripotent stem cell differentiation reveals early divergence of human and mouse gene expression kinetics. PLoS Comput Biol, 2019, 15(12), e1007543 2) Bacher, R et al. Trendy: segmented regression analysis of expression dynamics in highthroughput ordered profiling experiments. BMC Bioinformatics, 2018, 19, 380.
“Traditionally these experiments would
capable of analyzing the high frequency
have involved sampling the cells
longitudinal data we were generating.
perhaps once a day at most. However,
We therefore developed a novel
cellular differentiation is an ongoing
method called ‘Trendy’, which is also
process that happens on the scale of
now available for other labs to use. 2
minutes, not days, so we wanted to
Using this approach, it is clear that one
sample the cells more frequently and
of the major advantages of automation
consistently in order to capture those
is that it reduces background noise in
events. Automation has been key to
the data. This makes the analysis much
To learn more about the work of
this, eliminating the need for manual
cleaner and allows more accurate
the Thomson Lab, go to
sampling and allowing us to follow cell
interpretation, especially for long
www.morgridge.org/research/
differentiation at a temporal resolution
time-course experiments like these.”
regenerative-biology/thomson-lab
To find out more about Tecan’s cell biology solutions, visit www.tecan.com/cellbiology
that has rarely been achieved before
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
25
COVID-19
Print your own DNA The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe has highlighted the need for the rapid development of new diagnostic tests, therapeutics and vaccines in response to emerging infectious diseases. Advanced gene assembly techniques represent a powerful tool to aid these efforts, and are currently allowing the construction of synthetic SARS-CoV-2 genomes for research and development activities. Codex DNA is at the forefront of this approach, using its knowhow and BioXp™ 3200 system to supply labs across the globe with the gene constructs required to accelerate the design and optimization of vaccines and treatments.
underscored the need for ready access
was asked to create large libraries of
to genome constructs to develop
constructs with the speed and
effective vaccines.
precision required to address the potential H1N1 influenza pandemic, he
Gibson Assembly® is now one of the most commonly used molecular
Dr Dan Gibson, inventor of the Gibson
immediately opted for an automated
cloning methods around the world,
Assembly method and Chief
system. That platform was effectively
allowing multiple DNA fragments to be
Technology Officer at Codex DNA, was
an early prototype of the BioXp 3200
joined in a single, isothermal reaction.
approached by the pharmaceutical
system. We then set about developing
It led to the development of the first
industry to develop a system that
this device into a robust and reliable
synthetic gene and the first synthetic
would allow the rapid production of
automated instrument for widespread
cell, but it was during the emergence
synthetic H1N1 genome constructs.
deployment in labs across the globe.”
of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) that a
That request eventually became the
more translational application for this
BioXp 3200 system. Brian Donnelly,
Laurence Warden, Codex DNA’s Vice
technology came to light. The risk of
Chief Commercial Officer at Codex
President of Engineering and
an H1N1 influenza pandemic
DNA, filled in the details: “When Dan
Instrumentation, took up the story: “I
The Codex DNA team (NOTE: Photo taken prior to social distancing) 26
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
COVID-19
his rapid turnaround time has been vital T in accelerating vaccine development research in the current COVID-19 crisis.
came on board specifically to develop
correct Z-height for each pipetting step.
the BioXp system, as the company had a
This pressure sensing function has also
lot of molecular biology expertise, but
proved very useful as an analytical tool. If
didn’t have the necessary instrument
there is an issue during nucleic acid
development experience. We decided to
processing, we can go back and look at
undertake the entire system development
the data logs for every pipetting step to
project in house, creating a platform from
see if there is a pressure spike due to, for
the ground up, including the housing,
example, a piece of foil or debris
thermal cyclers, chillers, etc. The one
occluding a tip during aspiration. This
exception to this was the liquid handling
ability to pull pressure logs and error
components. Our protocols require
codes is extremely beneficial for
several liquid transfers, ranging from just
troubleshooting, and we haven’t fully
three or four microliters up to 180, and
explored all the options the ADP offers
we knew from experience that it would
yet. We certainly wouldn’t have been able
be challenging to develop an accurate
to replicate such an intelligently designed
and reliable pipettor for this application.”
and sophisticated system in the accelerated timeframe we needed. Using
“We looked at the OEM liquid handling
the ADP, it took just 18 months from the
technologies available, and the Cavro® Air
start of the project to the production of
Displacement Pipettor (ADP) from Tecan
the first instrument.”
ticked all the boxes. It is very compact, provides built-in tip ejection capabilities
The BioXp 3200 system was launched in
and, crucially, offers pressure-based
2015, allowing labs to build up to 32
liquid level detection (pLLD). Although
complex constructs in a single overnight
the ADP was very new at the time, we
run. With an ever-growing global install
had previous experience with Tecan
base of hundreds of systems, Codex DNA
liquid handling platforms and OEM pump
and the BioXp system have been
technologies, so we were confident that
perfectly positioned to help labs
it would be well built and reliable.
investigating the SARS-CoV-2 virus and
Although there were a few challenges
developing novel vaccines. Brian
early in the integration process, Tecan’s
continued: “A unique feature of our
engineers worked with us to develop an
system is that every single reagent
improved power filtering strategy, and we
cartridge is completely custom. Our
haven’t suffered from these problems
customer chooses the gene sequences
again – our test rigs have completed over
they want, and places an order via our
three times the number of runs outlined
online portal. We then design and build
in our design specification.”
the cartridge to make their target genes,
The BioXp 3200 system
desired constructs – doing in a few hours or days what would take scientists weeks or months to do manually. Thanks to our in-house bioinformatics capabilities and DNA design expertise, the entire process – from placing an order to shipping – usually takes less than 24 hours. This rapid turnaround time has been vital in accelerating vaccine development research in the current COVID-19 crisis, and we received several orders for construct libraries within a few days of the first whole SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence being published.”
To find out more about Tecan’s ADP, visit www.tecan.com/components
and ship it to their lab. When the “The ADP’s pLLD capabilities have
customer inserts the cartridge into the
To learn more about Codex DNA,
allowed us to create an automated
system, the platform automatically runs
go to www.codexdna.com
calibration algorithm to determine the
the correct protocol and generates the
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
27
COVID-19
A jump start for nucleic acid processing The ever-increasing throughput and ever-decreasing cost of next generation sequencing have made this technology a practical and affordable solution for everything from molecular diagnostics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing to crop research and environmental monitoring. For many of these applications, the bottleneck in the workflow – which can account for considerable hidden costs – lies in sample extraction. Tecan has partnered with Zymo Research to offer labs an automated and optimized solution for nucleic acid processing.
optimization of workflows to achieve
for improved sample collection and
efficient, unbiased extraction. Founded
extraction, so we began developing kits
in 1994, Zymo Research has been
for everything from blood and urine to
offering solutions to aid nucleic acid
feces and soil samples.”
processing (NAP) since the early days of NGS. Ryan Kemp, Director of Nucleic
“This eventually led us into the
Acid Solutions at Zymo Research,
microbiome space, where we
NGS has made the transition from a
explained: “The company was originally
discovered that inherent bias in
research tool to a routine testing
created to exploit a number of
extraction techniques and a lack of
technique over the last decade or so,
proprietary yeast technologies, but we
standardization between methods
but pre-analytical sample handling
quickly moved into nucleic acid
could result in more than ten-fold
remains a challenge for many labs. The
purification, and became well known
differences in measurements. We
way samples are processed can
for our epigenetics offerings. Working
therefore created a suite of products
dramatically affect sequencing results,
side-by-side with many labs performing
aimed at improving accuracy and
requiring careful standardization and
NGS meant that we could see a need
consistency for this fast-growing area, including the development of the first commercially available mock microbial community standards, designed to assess the bias and sensitivity of workflows in microbiomics and metagenomics studies. This was an important development for the field, allowing labs to compare the results from their workflows and protocols to a qualified microbiome profile.” “Consistency is essential for any pre-sequencing sample preparation workflow, helping to ensure reproducible and reliable results. Optimized, precise sample processing is even more important for applications such as microbiome analysis or environmental testing, where sample volumes are often very small, and microbial titers are even smaller. In these circumstances, even slight contamination or small variations in sample processing can lead to significant unintentional bias, making NAP an ideal candidate for automation.”
The Fluent Automation Workstation is now an integral part of Zymo Research’s service lab workflow 28
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
COVID-19
The results are more reproducible than when the extraction is performed manually by an experienced technician. The recently launched DreamPrep™ NAP workstation has been created specifically to simplify nucleic acid extraction workflows, and Zymo Research has worked with Tecan to create optimized, automated protocols for a number of Zymo Research extraction kits, including the ZymoBIOMICS™ 96 MagBead DNA Kit for microbiome studies. Ryan continued: “Our goal was to provide a solution that simply and reliably purified NGS-ready nucleic acid. Tecan’s specialists worked side-by-side with us to streamline and parallelize the workflow as much as possible,
Ryan Kemp, Director of Nucleic Acid Solutions at Zymo Research
Dr Keith Booher, Services Projects Manager at Zymo Research
combining our knowledge of the chemistries and downstream workflow
workflow, and we could see from our
the COVID-19 pandemic spread across
with their liquid handling and
experience collaborating on the
the globe. Although we are a Research
programming expertise to create an
DreamPrep NAP protocol development
Use Only company, this kit is well suited
extremely fast, robust protocol. We
that the Fluent offered the versatility
for extraction of both the
chose a modular approach to developing
we required.”
nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples used for molecular
the scripts, which ensured reliable operation and allowed easy transfer or
“Starting with the modular scripts
diagnostics. Being able to automate the
adaption. We used a Fluent® 1080 for
co-developed with Tecan, we have now
extraction is obviously essential for the
development, then transferred the
implemented a wide range of our DNA
type of high throughput testing
scripts to the DreamPrep NAP, which is
and RNA extraction kits on the
required in a pandemic, and the
based on the smaller Fluent 480
platform, which provides very good
modular approach we took when
workstation. This was very
purity and yields,” Keith continued.
scripting the DreamPrep NAP
straightforward and proved to be a good
“The guided workflow means that one
workflows has made it much easier to
test to demonstrate both the robustness
person can easily process many
rapidly implement testing on other
and flexibility of the modular approach.”
samples in a day, without the need for
Tecan platforms. We have even been
specialist training. It is also very
able to transfer the workflow to a
The throughput and consistency
reliable, which is important when your
number of Freedom EVO® workstations
offered by the automated, modular
customers have trusted you with their
fairly easily, despite the differences in
workflow are now benefitting
precious samples. I was even pleasantly
the two platforms’ software, because of
customers of Zymo Research’s NGS
surprised that the results are more
the way the scripts were developed.”
services business, as well as those
reproducible than when the extraction
using its extraction kits. Dr Keith
is performed manually by an
Booher, Services Projects Manager,
experienced technician.”
To find out more about Tecan’s
explained: “We were already using some automation in our service lab, but
The benefits provided by automation
DreamPrep NAP workstation
the diversity of sample types we
have also contributed to the global fight against SARS-CoV-2, offering a
featuring Zymo Research, visit
receive – blood and tissue samples, cell culture pellets, plant specimens, etc.
straightforward sample preparation
– meant that we were performing most
workflow for high throughput testing.
of the extraction by hand, due to the
Ryan added: “Alongside the
variety of different extraction protocols
ZymoBIOMICS kit, one of the first kits
required. As this side of the business
we chose to develop scripts for was the
has grown, it was logical to look at
Quick-DNA/RNA™ Viral MagBead Kit,
automating this portion of the
which really came to the forefront when
www.tecan.com/dreamprep-napworkstation To learn more about Zymo Research, go to www.zymoresearch.com
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
29
CELL-BASED ASSAYS
Empowering CORE oncology research Christophe Deben and the team at the University of Antwerp’s Center for Oncological Research (CORE) were the lucky recipients of a fully loaded Tecan Spark® Cyto plate reader with live cell imaging and realtime cytometry, after winning a Tecan competition in October 2019. The center is now using the instrument to support its revolutionary research in immuno-oncology. The Spark Cyto competition, which ran
lab is primarily focused on translational
no longer be relevant to a patient’s
from April to September 2019, required
research and combination therapies for
tumor. Instead, we work closely with
labs to submit a written proposal
non-small-cell lung cancers and
Antwerp University Hospital, using
explaining how they would use this
pancreatic cancers. At present, my own
material from tumor biopsies to
unique plate reader’s live cell imaging
work is on the use of patient-derived
generate both 2D and 3D spheroid
and real-time cytometry capabilities to
organoids in in vitro studies to
models, allowing us to study how
further their research and advance
characterize oncogenic signatures and
individual cancers respond to therapy.”
scientific understanding. A panel of
explore novel therapies.”
expert judges selected a shortlist from
“The culture conditions for each tumor
over 100 entries, and each finalist was
“When you use commercially-available
type need to be optimized to grow in
invited to give a short webinar
cancer cell lines for experiments, you
the lab as an organoid, so any
presentation providing further details
can see if a certain therapy has an
technology that makes these studies
of their research plan. The winner was
effect or not, but the downside is that
more streamlined and efficient is a
Dr Christophe Deben, a postdoctoral
these cell lines have been in culture for
huge advantage. Previously, we relied
researcher at the University of
a very long time. This means that the
on standard flow cytometry or basic
Antwerp, who explained his work: “Our
cells acquire characteristics that may
microplate-based assays for these
Christophe Deben and the team at the University of Antwerp’s Center for Oncological Research
30
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
CELL-BASED ASSAYS
experiments, but the drawback of those techniques is that you need a lot of cells to form a large enough number of organoids to study. This is very expensive, and can be difficult to achieve with limited patient material. My goal was to miniaturize all the assays, but still get enough data; I wanted to do everything in 384-well plates, reducing the number of cells required, as well as the amount of media and reagents. This was why I entered the competition to win the
sing the Spark Cyto for this work is U fantastic, giving us much deeper insight compared to standard singleplex methods. I let my imagination run wild in creating the experimental set-up for the competition, and it amazes me that nearly everything I thought of is possible with the Spark Cyto!
Spark Cyto, and it’s opened up a world of possibilities!” The Spark Cyto is proving the perfect
“We have also recently purchased a
application specialists – have been
partner for CORE’s research, combining
D300e Digital Dispenser from Tecan,
very good. We’ve learnt a lot from
the features of multiple analytical
which allows us to ‘print’ drugs of
each other, making adjustments to the
instruments into one system.
interest in very small volumes directly
protocol and software to work
Christophe continued: “We already had
into a microplate. This instrument can
optimally with our 3D spheroids. For
an older live cell imaging instrument,
be used with the Spark Cyto to give us
now, our work is purely research, but
but it’s not really made for spheroid
even more experimental data, by
our long-term goal is to move into a
work. Plus, with the Spark Cyto, you
allowing us to test different drug
clinical setting. Using the Spark Cyto
can multiplex live cell imaging with just
combination strategies and therapies
for this work is fantastic, giving us
about anything. I can now combine it
in much less time. For example, I
much deeper insight compared to
with different fluorescent markers, as
studied two or three drug
standard singleplex methods. I let my
well as assays based on luminescence.
combinations during my PhD, but it
imagination run wild in creating the
Using the Spark Cyto, I can get so much
was a lot of work and was incredibly
experimental set-up for the
more information about how the cells
time consuming, taking a full year to
competition, and it amazes me that
are responding to certain therapies,
perform all the assays. Now, I could do
nearly everything I thought of is
offering more clinical understanding
the same experiments in a month – this
possible with the Spark Cyto! The
and allowing better translation of in
set-up is an amazing time saver, and
versatility of the instrument means that
vitro results into the likely responses
has really increased both the speed
we can use it for nearly every line of
that can be expected in patients. I
and reproducibility of our research. In a
research running at CORE, and we look
really can do everything that I want to
clinical setting, doctors want to test
forward to where it will take us,”
do with just one experiment now –
patient samples with up to 18 different
Christophe concluded.
instead of having to visit several labs to
clinically-approved compounds at a
use various instruments – and I can
time, which would now not be a
monitor everything in real time, it’s
problem with the Spark Cyto and
fantastic. Most of our experiments are
D300e. We are not limited to certain
now automated, so I can spend more of
combinations or drugs, and can quickly
my time analyzing data or further
see which combinations work best in
optimizing our assays, rather than
vitro – it opens the doors for
physically running the experiment. With
personalized medicine.”
To find out more about Tecan’s Spark Cyto, visit www.tecan.com/sparkcyto To learn more about the Center for Oncological Research, go to
a couple of hours’ work in the lab, I can prepare the samples and load them into
“We are extremely grateful to Tecan
www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-
the Spark Cyto, then simply let it run
for picking our lab as the winner of this
groups/core/
– generating a week’s worth of data for
competition, and our interactions with
analysis.”
the company – particular the
TECAN JOURNAL 2/2020
31
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Tecan Group Ltd. makes every effort to include accurate and up-to-date information within this publication, however, it is possible that omissions or errors might have occurred. Tecan Group Ltd. cannot, therefore, make any representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in this publication. Changes in this publication can be made at any time without notice. All mentioned trademarks are protected by law. In general, the trademarks and designs referenced herein are trademarks, or registered trademarks, of Tecan Group Ltd., Mannedorf, Switzerland. A complete list may be found at www.tecan.com/trademarks. Product names and company names that are not contained in the list but are noted herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. For technical details and detailed procedures of the specifications provided in this document please contact your Tecan representative. This journal may contain reference to applications and products which are not available in all markets. Please check with your local sales representative: www.tecan.com/contact