How does a robotic pipeline for bacterial genetics help scientists at University College Cork?
A “robotic pipeline” used in bacterial genetics at University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
University College Cork, Ireland (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
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Transcript
Scientists here in Cork, Ireland, have developed a robotic pipeline for bacterial genetics. Bacterial strains are barcoded, transferred to robot-friendly tubes, and tracked automatically through the pipeline. They have collected over 18,000 bacteria. And for their analysis, they also developed software which controls all interactions between databases, devices, and robots.
One of the robotic systems is unique as it can process hundreds of bacteria, which can automatically be subcultured and prepared for DNA extraction in a single day. A second robot automatically extracts DNA from the bacteria into barcoded tubes. DNA tubes and plates are scanned by a third robot. This robotic system then quantifies and standardizes the DNA concentrations and updates the database.
The robot then sets up gene amplification reactions over two and half thousand reactions can be completed in one day. Again, all tracking information generated by the pipeline is stored in the database.
The next part of the process is gene sequencing, and this has also been fully automated. The robotic systems minimize human error, performs time-consuming mundane work, and frees scientists, allowing them to focus on their research. The finished gene sequencing reactions are dispatched to a DNA sequencing center.
Three days later, DNA sequence data are downloaded and automatically checked with specially designed software. Here, input from the scientist is minimal. Sometimes DNA sequences fail and need to be repeated. Traditionally, this is a complicated and time-consuming task. But scientists here at ERI have completely automated this cherry picking using a robotic process they have developed.
Have a nice day.
One of the robotic systems is unique as it can process hundreds of bacteria, which can automatically be subcultured and prepared for DNA extraction in a single day. A second robot automatically extracts DNA from the bacteria into barcoded tubes. DNA tubes and plates are scanned by a third robot. This robotic system then quantifies and standardizes the DNA concentrations and updates the database.
The robot then sets up gene amplification reactions over two and half thousand reactions can be completed in one day. Again, all tracking information generated by the pipeline is stored in the database.
The next part of the process is gene sequencing, and this has also been fully automated. The robotic systems minimize human error, performs time-consuming mundane work, and frees scientists, allowing them to focus on their research. The finished gene sequencing reactions are dispatched to a DNA sequencing center.
Three days later, DNA sequence data are downloaded and automatically checked with specially designed software. Here, input from the scientist is minimal. Sometimes DNA sequences fail and need to be repeated. Traditionally, this is a complicated and time-consuming task. But scientists here at ERI have completely automated this cherry picking using a robotic process they have developed.
Have a nice day.
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