Lab automation for high-throughput plate-based assays
Fully-integrated, lab automation solution for protein and cell biology
Explore our fully-integrated, automated workflow solutions for cell and biochemical assays
Plate-based assays form the cornerstone of many laboratory research programs. Whether you are performing biochemical assays such as ELISA, DNA/RNA quantitation, MTT cytotoxicity, or binding/affinity or cell-based assays such as CRISPR, viral titer, protein expression, bacterial growth, or cell signaling, Molecular Devices microplate readers have empowered life science researchers to advance discovery and produce high quality, reliable data.
As timelines become compressed and the amount of data required for IND submissions and publications increases, laboratories are increasingly pressed to do more with less. The introduction of automated workcells can help relieve this burden by allowing researchers to optimize their time in the lab and obtain data more efficiently. Additionally, automated data collection and data tracking reduce human error, assuring that the data is of a higher quality.
Scalable, automated plate-based assay workcells
We work with you to build flexible, scalable, future-proof workcells that will meet the needs of your current workflow, as well as give you room to grow and expand in the future. We bring decades worth of consultative expertise to the table to help you design and implement workcells that incorporate industry-leading technology to achieve your goals. However, we recognize that your needs may change and evolve over time, therefore, we will continue to provide robust support and development to make sure your system continues to meet your needs.
Automated plate loading
Dip your toes into the water of laboratory automation with this entry-level system. Perform microplate-based assays on a large number of plates without having to manually feed them into your microplate reader. Load up the plates you need run and walk away while the robotic arm delivers them to the instruments to be read.
- Microplate reader: SpectraMax® iD5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
- Microplate washer: AquaMax® 4000 Microplate Washer
- Robot: Peak Robotics S-LAB Plate Handler
- Plate storage: Plate hotels – 40 microtiter plates
- Integration software: Peak Robotics S-LAB Software
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Future proof automated plate loading
Ensure that your system can scale as your workflow expands by setting yourself up with a more sophisticated robotic arm. This system allows you to manually load assay plates into ambient hotels so that the robot arm can deliver them to the microplate reader when needed. A collaborative, four-axis robotic arm allows for the easy addition of instrumentation should your workflow require it in the future. (Instrument additions could include incubators, cellular imagers, single-cell sorters, centrifugation, and more) .
- Plate reader: SpectraMax iD5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
- Plate washer: AquaMax 4000 Microplate Washer
- Robot: PreciseFlex 400 Sample Handler
- Plate storage: Plate Hotels – 40 microtiter plates
- Integration software: Genera scheduling software
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- Request Quote
Automated plate handling, loading, and incubation
Eliminate the need to manually load plates onto the workcell and keep your plates in an environmentally regulated location with the addition of an automated incubator. Simply load your plates into the incubator, and the robot will deliver them to the plate reader at the designated time.
- Plate reader: SpectraMax iD5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
- Plate washer: AquaMax 4000 Microplate Washer
- Robot: PreciseFlex 400 Sample Handler
- Plate storage: Plate Hotels – 40 microtiter plates
- Integration software: Genera scheduling software
- Incubation: LiCONiC STX44 Automated CO2 Incubator
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- Request Quote
Plate loading, automated plate handling, incubation, and liquid handling
Enjoy increased flexibility and increased walkaway time with the addition of a liquid handler. An automated liquid handler allows the workcell to perform simple tasks, such as media changes or reagent additions, at the times you designate. This will enable you to conduct many assays with great precision and minimal manual intervention.
- Plate reader: SpectraMax iD5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
- Plate washer: AquaMax 4000 Microplate Washer
- Incubation: LiCONiC STX44 Automated CO2 Incubator
- Liquid handler: Microlab STARlet Robot Liquid Handler
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- Request Quote
Fully automated workflow
Harness the full potential of laboratory automation with maximum walkaway time. No further manual intervention is required once plates are loaded into the automated incubator. Plates will be moved automatically from the incubator into the workcell so that assays and treatments can be performed at designated times.
- Plate reader: SpectraMax iD5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
- Plate washer: AquaMax 4000 Microplate Washer
- Robot: PreciseFlex 400 Sample Handler
- Plate storage: Plate hotels – 40 microtiter plates
- Integration software: Genera scheduling software
- Incubation: LiCONiC STX44 Automated CO2 Incubator
- Liquid handler: Microlab STAR Automated Liquid Handler
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- Request Quote
Application highlight: High-throughput ELISA workflow
ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) is one of the most popular quantitative methods to detect a target antigen such as toxin or foreign substance within a sample. The assay is easy to set up and the range of potential analytes is vast, but the assay procedure is time consuming and labor intensive.
Laboratory automation workflows can help with providing walkaway time, increasing throughput, effectiveness and efficiency of the assay procedure, and reproducibility.
- Microlab STARlet Automated Liquid Handler executes dispensing reagent or samples via multichannel head.
- Using an automated heat sealer, a sealing film will be placed on the assay plate to prevent evaporation during incubation.
- The incubation is done at room temperature in a LiCONiC LPX44, that can store to 44 microplates and while shaking them during the incubation period.
- After incubation, the assay plate is transferred to the seal-peeler to remove the seal from the assay plate and transferred to washing.
- Aspirating and dispensing of wash buffer can occur simultaneously in all wells via AquaMax® 4000 Microplate Washer with a 96- or 384-well head.
- Once the assay runs its course, the final absorbance readout will take place on a SpectraMax® iD5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader.
- SoftMax® Pro Software will automatically generate a standard curve and calculate target antigen concentration in unknown samples.
Latest Resources
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Applications of Lab automation for high-throughput plate-based assays
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Cell Health
Cell viability refers to the number of healthy cells in a population and can be evaluated using assays that measure enzyme activity, cell membrane integrity, ATP production, and other indicators. These methods can employ luminescent, fluorescent, or colorimetric readouts as indicators of general cell viability or even specific cellular pathways. Cytotoxicity and cell viability assays are often used to assess a drug or other treatment’s effect, and are valuable tools in the search for new therapeutics, as well as advancing our understanding of how normal cells function.
Cellular Signaling
Cellular signaling allows cells to respond to their environment as well as to communicate with other cells. Proteins located on the cell surface can receive signals from the surroundings and transmit information into the cell via a series of protein interactions and biochemical reactions that comprise a signaling pathway. Multicellular organisms rely upon an extensive array of signaling pathways to coordinate the proper growth, regulation, and functioning of cells and tissues. If signaling between or within cells is dysregulated, inappropriate cellular responses may lead to cancer and other diseases.
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ELISA
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are used to measure the amount of a specific protein, using a microplate format, and results are most often detected via absorbance in the visible wavelength range. Chemiluminescent and fluorescent ELISA formats offer enhanced sensitivity for accurate quantitation of less abundant analytes.
Microbiology and Contaminant
Microbes, including bacteria, have been estimated to make up about 15 percent of the earth’s biomass, and microbes in the human body outnumber human cells by 10 to 1. These microorganisms provide great benefit to us and are also vital to many fields of research from medicine to alternative energy production. On the other hand, monitoring for microbes and the toxic substances they produce is necessary to ensure the safety of pharmaceutical products. Scientists whose research relies on mammalian cells must carefully monitor these cultures for unwanted microbial contaminants to ensure that their experimental results are reliable.
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Nucleic Acid (DNA/RNA) Quantitation and Analysis
Nucleic acids are large biomolecules common to all known life forms. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) consists of a double strand of pairs of nucleotides, while ribonucleic acid (RNA) is typically a single strand. In DNA, the nucleotides are adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine, while RNA contains uracil instead of thymine. DNA makes up the genetic material of all organisms, encoding the information cells need to synthesize proteins.
Protein Detection, Quantitation and Analysis
Protein detection, quantitation, and analysis are central to the investigation of a wide variety of biological processes. Measuring the concentration of protein is necessary to processes ranging from protein purification and labeling to sample preparation for electrophoresis. Protein can be quantitated directly via absorbance at 280 nm, or indirectly using colorimetric (BCA, Bradford, etc.) or fluorometric methods offering advantages such as greater sensitivity. To identify and measure a specific protein within a complex sample, for example, serum or cell lysate, an ELISA may be used.
Resources for Lab automation for high-throughput plate-based assays
Blog
Advanced technology for automated 3D biology workflows #SLASEurope2022
Advanced technology for automated 3D biology workflows #SLASEurope2022
SLAS Europe 2022, hosted numerous sessions packed with the latest research on emerging topics as well as sessions and panel discussions focused on how to build, and succeed, in a…
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Blog
[Podcast] Challenges of traditional cell line development and emerging technologies to help regulate monoclonality
[Podcast] Challenges of traditional cell line development and emerging technologies to help regulate monoclonality
Advancements in genetic engineering and synthetic biology have allowed numerous breakthroughs in recent decades. The importance of cell line development needs an honorable mention.…
Flyer
Automation solutions for high-throughput plate-based assays
Automation solutions for high-throughput plate-based assays
As timelines compress and the amount of data required for IND submissions and publications increases, laboratories are pressed to do more with less. The introduction of automated wor…
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Blog
An automation journey for a high-throughput ELISA workflow
An automation journey for a high-throughput ELISA workflow
As your lab’s needs expand, automating every step of an intricate workflow provides exponential value. From increased walk-away time and throughput to reduced human error and improved…
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Blog
COVID-19 Timeline: Diagnostics, Vaccines, and Therapeutic Antibody Development
COVID-19 Timeline: Diagnostics, Vaccines, and Therapeutic Antibody Development
Global research efforts are focused on understanding the SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to develop potential therapies for COVID-19. Join us as we explore a scientific timeline of key…
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Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
SLAS2022, the Society for Lab Automation and Screening conference offered another exciting year for learning about innovative laboratory technologies. Whether you attended in-person…
Scientific Poster
Automation of 3D organoid culture workflow with deep-learning based image analysis
Automation of 3D organoid culture workflow with deep-learning based image analysis
3D cell culture as a model system is increasingly popular because it recapitulates the in vivo microenvironment better than 2D cell cultures. Organoids have the capacity for stable d…
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Scientific Poster
Automation and high content imaging of 3D triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived
Automation and high content imaging of 3D triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived
Triple negative breast cancer is a clinically aggressive tumor subtype, with high rates of metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. Currently there are no clinically approved sma…
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Blog
Lab Automation 101: Inside Access From Our Subject Matter Expert
Lab Automation 101: Inside Access From Our Subject Matter Expert
In life sciences, more is more. Obtaining a great body of data that is consistent and insightful to get a qualitative and quantitative overview of your model is critical. However,…
Publications
Project Profile: Organoid Innovation Center
Project Profile: Organoid Innovation Center
Lab Manager speaks to Dan O’Connor, vice president, drug discovery, Molecular Devices, about the company’s Organoid Innovation Center in San Jose, CA. The center is 180 sq. ft., with…
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Publications
Multiple Steps from Microplate-Reader Workstations
Multiple Steps from Microplate-Reader Workstations
Scientists take many roads to overcoming bottlenecks in workflows. For example, a workstation including a microplate reader can handle multiple steps, which improves efficiency and a…
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Publications
Molecular Devices introduces enterprise-level SoftMax Pro 7.1 GxP Software
Molecular Devices introduces enterprise-level SoftMax Pro 7.1 GxP Software
Built on its current, industry-leading data acquisition and analysis software, SoftMax Pro 7.1 GxP Software expands its system audit trail functions to include date and time stamps;…
Automating culture and high-content imaging of 3D organoids for in vitro assessment of compound effects
Tips to automating molecular cloning and strain engineering applications
Related Products & Services
Featured Applications
Cell Health
Cell viability refers to the number of healthy cells in a population and can be evaluated using…
Cellular Signaling
Cellular signaling allows cells to respond to their environment as well as to communicate with…
ELISA
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are used to measure the amount of a specific protein,…
Microbiology and Contaminant
Microbes, including bacteria, have been estimated to make up about 15 percent of the earth’s…
Nucleic Acid (DNA/RNA) Quantitation and Analysis
Nucleic acids are large biomolecules common to all known life forms. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)…
Protein Detection, Quantitation and Analysis
Protein detection, quantitation, and analysis are central to the investigation of a wide variety of…
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