Lab Automation

The primary task of a (bioanalytical) lab is to go from sample to result in a fast and reliable way. Three basic fundamentals that are to be considered when looking at lab automation are Quality of Analysis, Throughput and Costs. Today’s common sample preparation methods like for instance Protein Precipitation, Liquid/Liquid extraction, Off-line SPE or Column Switching do not offer an optimal combination of these basic fundamentals. This often leads to inefficiencies in the workflow. 

For example, people from the industry tell us analyzing 25,000 samples on an annual basis should be feasible. That is 100 samples per workday. Most labs don't even come close, and therefore continue investing in additional LC-MS or staggered LC systems. But that generally moves the bottleneck to elsewhere in the workflow leading to even more inefficiencies.

In the product development that led to the Symbiosis™ system we looked at the entire workflow, what we call from Vial - to – File™, in order to go from sample to result in a reliable and fast way. By continuously seeking for further optimizations we have now even reached the point that cryogenic vials with raw plasma can be inserted into the Symbiosis™ system and a data file containing all information can be collected after the run. The main benefit of Vial-to-File™ is the positive impact on the entire workflow, instead of a shift of the bottleneck. We have investigated each stage of the workflow to ensure we can significantly contribute in meeting your goals.

Click on each stage in the workflow below for a flash presentation with voice-over:

The Symbiosis™ is a total solution covering the entire triangle and thus, each of the three basic automation fundamentals. Clean extracts and minimum sample manipulation translate to less inaccuracies and high quality results. Otherwise time consuming steps like method development, sample preparation and data analysis are reduced which has a positive impact no the entire workflow and will pay-off in better efficiency and margin opportunities.

A jointly undertaken analysis of the workflow in your lab will without exception lead to a better knowledge of the workflow, the identification of the actual bottlenecks and in the majority of the cases to a predictable improvement in lab efficiency.

We look forward to working with you.