Cell and bead-based assays are integral to diagnostics and life science research, particularly in immunology, molecular biology, and drug discovery. These assays enable researchers to analyze a variety of biological phenomena, such as protein-protein, antibody-antigen, and receptor-ligand interactions.
Cell-based assays use living cells (e.g. stem cells and primary cells) to study biological processes and provide a physiologically relevant model as they capture the complexity of cellular interactions and responses. Common cell-based assays include proliferation, cytotoxicity, apoptosis (e.g. DAPI staining), and signal transduction assays.
In vitro RNA synthesis is a cornerstone for applications such as mRNA vaccine production, RNA-based therapeutics, and molecular biology studies. Liquid handling is crucial in in vitro transcription (IVT) as precise transfer and mixing of reagents ensure optimal RNA synthesis. The workflow involves steps like template linearization, RNA synthesis, 5' capping, polymerase degradation, and purification of IVT mRNA. Accurate liquid handling throughout these steps ensures efficient RNA production and minimizes errors.
DAPI staining workflow for detection of apoptosis
Bead-based assays utilize independent or functionalized beads, often with specific ligands or antibodies attached, to capture and analyze target molecules. They are extensively used across multiple workflows including nucleic acid extraction and cleanups, immunoassays (e.g. ELISA), and drug discovery. The high sensitivity and specificity of bead-based assays, combined with the physiological relevance of cell-based assays, make them invaluable in both research and diagnostics.
A generalized workflow for magnetic bead-based ELISA
Cell and bead-based assays involve several challenges in liquid handling for achieving consistent and reproducible results. Even slight pipetting variations can introduce significant variability, especially in miniaturized assays. Similarly, contamination control is essential as any cross-contamination can lead to inaccurate outcomes. Gentle and homogenous dispensing of cells and beads is critical to ensure functionality and data reproducibility, respectively. Additionally, high throughput workflows further complicate these challenges, as the need to process large numbers of samples puts greater stress on cells which can compromise viability and data integrity.
Given these requirements, manual liquid handling using hand-held pipettes is inadequate for these workflows. It lacks the precision needed, introduces contamination risks, is time-consuming, and struggles with executing high-throughput and miniaturized protocols. Moreover, manual pipetting is limited by its inability to adapt to scaling up or down the protocols.
Automated liquid handling (ALH) addresses these challenges by providing precision, contamination control, and flexibility, thus making reproducible, high-throughput cell and bead-based assays possible.
Formulatrix ALH for Cell and Bead-Based Assays
The ALH systems from FORMULATRIX, including the Mantis® and Tempest® tipless dispensers, and the F.A.S.T.TM and FLO i8® PD liquid handlers, offer precise and accurate transfer of small volumes, ensuring consistent results across experiments. Our ALH systems feature user-friendly programming interfaces that allow researchers to easily define and automate complex protocols. With API integration, our systems enable connectivity with other laboratory instruments and software, thus supporting comprehensive workflow automation and data synchronization.
Formulatrix Liquid Dispensers
Formulatrix Liquid Handlers
| Liquid Handling Features | Mantis | Tempest | F.A.S.T. | FLO i8 PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Microdiaphragm pump | Microdiaphragm pump | Positive displacement | Positive displacement |
| Precision (CV) | < 2% at 100 nL | < 3% at 200 nL | < 5% at 100 nL | < 5% at 0.5 µL |
| Liquid Class Compatibility | Up to 25 cP | Up to 20 cP | Liquid class agnostic | Liquid class agnostic |
| Throughput | Low to medium | Medium to high | Medium to high | Low to medium |
| Contamination Risk Mitigation | Non-contact dispensing with isolated fluid path | Non-contact dispensing with isolated fluid path | Disposable tips | Disposable tips |
| Hold-Up Volume (µL) | ~6 | ~48 (per chip) | Close to zero | Close to zero |
| Volume Range | 100 nL-∞ | 200 nL-∞ | 100 nL- 13µL | 200* nL- 1 mL |
*200 nL for non-contact dispensing and 500 nL for contact transfer
Table: Formulatrix ALH systems
Webinars
Optimize cell-based assays using advanced non-contact dispensing that is gentle on cells while providing high throughput liquid handling.
Discover end-user experience in automated handling of viscous liquids that have traditionally been difficult to dispense by manual pipetting.
Application Notes
Learn how the Mantis® miniaturizes Nextera XT Fragment library prep workflow and ensures homogenous dispensing of AMPure XP Beads.
Explore how the Mantis® precisely dispenses Matrigel® droplets and enables high throughput screening for organoid culture optimization.
