Robotics and Automated Sample Preparation

1. Robotics and Automated Sample Preparation January 16, 2009 UNL COBRE retreat Joe Dumais/Kurt Wulser

2. Facility Goal • Provide a flexible set of sample preparation, identification/tracking and validation tools. • Provide the space and support necessary to enable rapid sample generation

3. Specific Aims • Centralized location for sample production • Provide robotics and instrumentation • Sample tracking/data handling • Provide training for all users

4. Flow

5. Development of Lab • Define specific needs of user base • Contact/visit existing facilities to gather information on equipment, personnel and operational issues • Stage purchase of equipment • Develop user training program

6. Common operations in HTS Labs • Typical sample preparation manipulations • Solvent exchanges • Addition of buffers, target molecules, etc • Concentrate/dilute samples • Microplate centrifuge • Attach sample ID and track samples • Data gathered through well plate readers • Spectrofluorometer/UV-VIS/Luminescence

7. Facility Personnel Tasks • Maintain systems • Attend vendor training sessions • Track usage • Replenish consumables • Train and assist users • Write programs to execute custom operations • Oversee Facility Budget

8. Existing High Throughput Laboratories University of Kansas McMaster University, Ontario Vanderbilt

9. University of Kansas • Established through a COBRE grant targeting cancer research • Focus on screening bioactive compounds against chemical libraries • Staff of 5 • Equipment • 5 plate readers • 3 robots • Bulk reagent dispenser • Plate centrifuge, sealer, handler

10. McMaster University • Provides biomolecular screening services to researchers across Canada • Staff of 3 people • Sited in 1400 sq. ft lab • Equipment • 2 Liquid Handlers • 5 plate readers • Incubator • Software for database management, statistical analysis and reporting

11. Vanderbilt University • Provides screening services to academic, government, and commercial agencies. • Staff of 8 people • Equipment • 3 plate readers • 3 bulk liquid handlers • 2 robotic liquid handlers • Robotic arm for transfer of plates to stations • Microplate storage units, centrifuges and plate sealers

12. Existing UNL Equipment • Genomics Solution Pro Pic robotic workstation • Requires ≈$50K upgrades • Genomics Solutions Investigatator robotic digester • 96 well capacity • Symbiot Robotic Liquid Handler • Used for MALDI plate prep • Waters nanoAQUITY HPLC • 96 well capacity

13. Proposed New Equipment • Genomics Solution Pro Pic robotic workstation • Requires ≈$50K upgrades • Genomics Solutions Investigatator robotic digester • 96 well capacity • Symbiot Robotic Liquid Handler • Used for MALDI plate prep • Waters nanoAQUITY HPLC • 96 well capacity

14. Proposed New Equipment • Tecan Freedom Evo 75 robotic workstation • $150-175K • Liquid handling arm • Shaker, incubator, washer, readers (absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence) • Barcode reader software, printer available on request. • Optional robotic gripper available for $24K