Robotics and Automated Sample Preparation January 16, 2009 UNL COBRE retreat Joe Dumais/Kurt Wulser

Facility Goal  Provide a flexible set of sample preparation, identification/tracking and validation tools.  Provide the space and support necessary to enable rapid sample generation

Specific Aims  Centralized location for sample production  Provide robotics and instrumentation  Sample tracking/data handling  Provide training for all users

Flow

Development of Lab  Define specific needs of user base  Contact/visit existing facilities to gather information on equipment, personnel and operational issues  Stage purchase of equipment  Develop user training program

Common operations in HTS Labs  Typical sample preparation manipulations Solvent exchanges Solvent exchanges Addition of buffers, target molecules, etc Addition of buffers, target molecules, etc Concentrate/dilute samples Concentrate/dilute samples Microplate centrifuge Microplate centrifuge  Attach sample ID and track samples  Data gathered through well plate readers Spectrofluorometer/UV-VIS/Luminescence Spectrofluorometer/UV-VIS/Luminescence

Facility Personnel Tasks  Maintain systems  Attend vendor training sessions  Track usage  Replenish consumables  Train and assist users  Write programs to execute custom operations  Oversee Facility Budget

Existing High Throughput Laboratories University of Kansas McMaster University, Ontario Vanderbilt

University of Kansas  Established through a COBRE grant targeting cancer research  Focus on screening bioactive compounds against chemical libraries  Staff of 5  Equipment 5 plate readers 5 plate readers 3 robots 3 robots Bulk reagent dispenser Bulk reagent dispenser Plate centrifuge, sealer, handler Plate centrifuge, sealer, handler

McMaster University  Provides biomolecular screening services to researchers across Canada  Staff of 3 people  Sited in 1400 sq. ft lab  Equipment 2 Liquid Handlers 2 Liquid Handlers 5 plate readers 5 plate readers Incubator Incubator Software for database management, statistical analysis and reporting Software for database management, statistical analysis and reporting

Vanderbilt University  Provides screening services to academic, government, and commercial agencies.  Staff of 8 people  Equipment 3 plate readers 3 plate readers 3 bulk liquid handlers 3 bulk liquid handlers 2 robotic liquid handlers 2 robotic liquid handlers Robotic arm for transfer of plates to stations Robotic arm for transfer of plates to stations Microplate storage units, centrifuges and plate sealers Microplate storage units, centrifuges and plate sealers

 Genomics Solution Pro Pic robotic workstation Requires ≈$50K upgrades Requires ≈$50K upgrades  Genomics Solutions Investigatator robotic digester 96 well capacity 96 well capacity  Symbiot Robotic Liquid Handler Used for MALDI plate prep Used for MALDI plate prep  Waters nanoAQUITY HPLC 96 well capacity 96 well capacity Existing UNL Equipment

 Genomics Solution Pro Pic robotic workstation Requires ≈$50K upgrades Requires ≈$50K upgrades  Genomics Solutions Investigatator robotic digester 96 well capacity 96 well capacity  Symbiot Robotic Liquid Handler Used for MALDI plate prep Used for MALDI plate prep  Waters nanoAQUITY HPLC 96 well capacity 96 well capacity Proposed New Equipment

 Tecan Freedom Evo 75 robotic workstation $ K $ K Liquid handling arm Liquid handling arm Shaker, incubator, washer, readers (absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence) Shaker, incubator, washer, readers (absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence) Barcode reader software, printer available on request. Barcode reader software, printer available on request. Optional robotic gripper available for $24K Optional robotic gripper available for $24K