Laboratory Automation
Laboratory Automation - Related Videos
11:20
Automated Protocols for Macromolecular Crystallization at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
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Cited by 14 •
2018
Automated systems and protocols for the routine preparation of a large number of screens and nanoliter crystallization droplets for vapor diffusion experiments are described and discussed.
06:19
Decontamination for Laboratory Biosafety
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2023
Robert M. Rioux and Zhifeng Chen, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA Decontamination is essential for laboratory biosafety, as the accumulation of microbial contamination in the laboratory can lead to the transmission of disease. The degree of decontamination can be classified as either disinfection or sterilization. Disinfection aims to eliminate all pathogenic microorganisms, with the exception of bacterial spores on lab surfaces or equipment. Sterilization, on the other hand,...
08:00
Measuring Mass in the Laboratory
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2023
The analytical balance is the common piece of equipment in the scientific laboratory. These highly precise instruments can measure down to ten thousandths or even hundred thousandths of a gram. The triple beam balance is a type of scale that uses counterweights on a three rider beams to counterbalance the sample in the pan. On the other hand, modern analytical balances use a complex system of electronic sensors to accurately mass a substance. The analytical balance is so sensitive that it...
07:27
Making Solutions in the Laboratory
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2023
The ability to successfully make solutions is a basic laboratory skill performed in virtually all biological and chemical experiments. A solution is a homogenous mixture of solute dissolved in bulk liquid known as the solvent. Solutions can be described by their solute concentration, a measure of how much solute is present per unit of solution. In this video, a step-by-step procedure for how to make a water-based, or aqueous, solution for biological applications is presented. The video...
08:06
Automated Acoustic Dispensing for the Serial Dilution of Peptide Agonists in Potency Determination Assays
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Cited by 1 •
2016
Peptide adsorption to plasticware during traditional tip-based serial dilutions can significantly impact potency determination and confound the understanding of structure-activity relationships used for lead identification and lead optimization phases of drug discovery. Here methods for automated acoustic non-contact serial dilution of peptide samples are described.
FAQs
Programmed protocols specify the sequence of experimental operations, while sensors provide information about ongoing conditions or measurements. Feedback controls use that information to guide subsequent actions within the workflow. This coordination helps automated systems perform liquid handling, sample preparation, measurement, and data recording more consistently than disconnected or purely manual operations.
Digital data management links experimental operations with recorded results, allowing the system to preserve information as samples move through a workflow. This connection supports consistent documentation and helps researchers handle larger sample sets without separating measurements from their experimental context. In bioengineering, it strengthens reproducibility when complex studies require coordinated operations and reliable records.
Instruments perform laboratory operations or measurements, robotics support physical sample handling, and software organizes the programmed workflow. These elements function as an integrated system rather than as isolated tools. Their coordination allows researchers to connect sample preparation, measurement, and data recording, reducing dependence on repeated manual intervention while maintaining standardized experimental procedures.
Automated workflows apply programmed procedures across samples, reducing variation caused by repeated manual handling. Standardization can lower handling errors and make biological measurements more reproducible, particularly when researchers process many samples or repeat the same operations. Automation does not merely increase speed; it also creates a more consistent connection between experimental steps and recorded data.
A typical workflow can connect liquid handling with sample preparation, measurement, and data recording under a programmed protocol. These operations are coordinated by instruments, robotics, software, sensors, and feedback controls. Linking the stages allows samples to progress through a standardized sequence and gives researchers a unified record of the resulting biological measurements.
The approach is particularly useful when experiments involve large sample sets, repetitive procedures, high-throughput processing, or complex workflows requiring coordinated operations. By limiting manual intervention, automated platforms help researchers standardize activities and process more samples efficiently. This makes them relevant when consistency, measurement reproducibility, and organized data capture are central experimental needs.
Automated workflows support several bioengineering areas identified in the source material, including biomaterials, cell engineering, drug development, and synthetic biology. In each setting, the platform can coordinate tasks such as sample preparation, liquid handling, measurement, and data recording. The resulting integration helps researchers scale experiments while maintaining standardized procedures and reproducible biological measurements.