From Manual Sample Handling to Fully Automated Pipetting Robots: Technological Developments of Liquid Sample Processing Workflows
Franziska VOGL, Annemarie MAROLD, Johannes NIEDERHAUSER, Karine SARGSYAN
Biobank Graz Medical University of Graz, Austria
As the number of samples in biorepositories increases, more and more biobanks are turning to automation. By this means, they standardize their procedures and thereby maintain high sample quality. Also, a reduction of labour and saving of time for sample processing and management are evident benefits of automated sample processing systems.
INTRODUCTION
CONCLUSION
Fully automated pipetting robots are essential tools for large liquid sample biobanks, since they enable standardized high-throughput sample processing at high speed. By this means, these systems ensure high sample quality and provide full documentation of all steps.
RESULTS
METHODS
Biobank Graz has used different generations of sample processing workflows for the handling of fluid samples. Based on our wide experience with diverse systems, the advantages and disadvantages of different systems were assessed to provide an overview of the technological developments of liquid sample processing workflows in biobanking.
Funded by
GZ 10.470/0016-II/3/2013
Manual pipetting & hand written report files
Simple pipetting robot & hand written report files
Fully automated liquid handling
Features: • 2D barcode reader • Pipetting robot • Capper/decapper system • Freezing Unit (-20°C) • Connection to LIS
(lab information system) => links sample and patient
We evaluated ten years experience with liquid sample processing workflows - starting with manual sample handling, a first simple pipetting robot and finally a fully automated liquid handling robot. Manual workflows showed typical problems like inaccuracy of volumes, errors in reports and difficulties with the identification of tubes. Two of the major advantages of fully automated systems are the integrated barcode scanner and the integrated freezing carrier. In addition, the full documentation of all sample processing steps (see CEN-TS) and direct connection to databases are enormous benefits.
4 Freezing units
Primary blood tubes
Barcode scanner Sample
pipetting
Connection to the lab information system (LIS)
Identification of phase interface
= Lower limit of
sample
Pipetting of a predefined number of aliquots
4 freezing units => freezing of each aliquot within 5 to 7 min
2D barcodes
2D barcode reader
Sample volume measurement
Freezing Unit (-20°C)
=> calculation of number of possible aliquots
Capper/decapper system
Barcode scanner
=> sample carrier in front of a mirror to detect sample volume + phase changes
Liquid sample processing workflows at Biobank Graz:
1998 – 2008
2008 – 2012
from 2012