Liquid handling encompasses the movement of liquid reagents via the diverse range of large scale robotic platforms to hand held single channel pipettes. These tools, used anywhere from research to clinical applications, are paramount for delivery of accurate measurements.
Liquid handling is used for protocols such as RNA/DNA purification, ELISA, cell culture, PCR/Sequencing reaction setup, automated detection assays, reaction cleanup, protein purification and MALDI-TOF spotting.
This equipment minimizes or eradicates contamination, reduces inconsistencies in sample yield and prepares uniform quantities. Considerations for liquid handling equipment include number of samples processed daily, available laboratory space, budget, and versatility. Quality instrumentation that can adapt to increasing throughput and introduction of new protocols is an investment in lab productivity and success.