Scientists take many roads to overcoming bottlenecks in workflows. For example, a workstation including a microplate reader can handle multiple steps, which improves efficiency and adds speed. Plus, a microplate reader in a workstation can be used in basic research or industrial processes, such as pharmaceutical research and manufacturing. This article explores how a scientist finds the right microplate-reader workstation for a lab.
Part of the right fit depends on flexibility. At Molecular Devices, senior sales manager Laura Dranschak says, “Customers can come to us for a custom solution, and we collaborate with them to build what they need.” As a recent example, the company built an automated molecular-cloning workflow. Such custom solutions can include instruments from Molecular Devices and its partners. Conversely, customers might consider out-of-the-box solutions.
Other vendors also offer a range of options that combine a microplate reader with other devices to create a system that can perform several steps. The technology, business philosophies, and the mix of lab projects today and tomorrow all come into play in making the best choice in a system.
Analyzing cells with a workstation
BioTek Instruments’ BioSpa Live Cell Analysis System consists of the BioSpa 8 Automated Incubator and any of BioTek’s Cytation Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Readers. For workflows that require liquid handling, the MultiFlo FX Multi-Mode Dispenser or EL406 Washer Dispenser can be added.
“A robotic arm associated with the BioSpa 8 shuttles microplates and other labware from its environmentally controlled interior to the Cytation for kinetic imaging or the liquid handling device for reagent dispensing, media exchanges, or cell washing,” says Peter Banks, scientific director at BioTek Instruments. “The BioSpa allows for kinetic applications in up to eight microplates or other labware.” This system also provides built-in scheduling and environmental monitoring, which make it possible to run long-term live-cell assays ranging from hours to weeks.
This workstation comes ready to run a variety of assays. “Label-free cell proliferation assays can be performed with Cytation’s high-contrast brightfield imaging module and a broad array of live-cell assays that incorporate fluorescent probes, such as apoptosis, cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species, plasma membrane integrity, etcetera,” Banks explains. “Other label-free kinetic imaging applications include cell migration and 3D spheroid proliferation.”
Like some other workstations, scientists can create custom workflows that run on the BioSpa Live Cell Analysis System. As Banks points out, the “scheduling software allows multiple users to simultaneously create many different workflows involving liquid-handling devices and Cytation readers” and “Gen5 software protocols within Cytation allow for a wide selection of imaging quantitative metrics to enable any kinetic assay.”
Creativity from modules and more
Some microplate readers include flexibility by design. As an example, the SpectraMax i3X Multi-Mode Microplate Reader from Molecular Devices can be used for ultraviolet and visible absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, fluorescence polarization, time-resolved fluorescence (TRF), homogeneous TRF (HTRF), AlphaScreen, live-cell imaging, and western blot analysis. This flexibility, explains Celeste Glazer, vice president of global product management at Molecular Devices, comes from “modules that add capabilities.” More than a dozen are available, and the company creates custom modules as requested. This approach also simplifies future upgrades.
Image: The i3X Multi-Mode Microplate Reader can measure ultraviolet and visible absorbance, fluorescence, and much more. Image courtesy of Molecular Devices.
Beyond the hardware, a microplate reader’s software also impacts performance and flexibility. As Glazer explains, “Our readers have software that analyzes data as it’s acquired from a plate—doing both at the same time.” So, acquisition and analysis come from one software system.
She also points out an increasing interest from customers in software made to work in a regulated environment. “Tools for data integrity, validation, and audit trails are incorporated in our software,” she adds. This so-called GxP software accommodates labs that must meet GMP and GLP regulations.
Extracting nucleic acids
Scientists and engineers at Promega have developed modular workflow-based solutions for nucleic-acid extraction. “Application-specific instrumentation working and communicating together as part of a larger laboratory workflow provides benefits of scalability, flexibility, and redundancy when compared to large, complete workflow instrument platforms,” says Luke Roenneburg, senior strategic portfolio manager, sample prep. “The Promega Maxprep Liquid Handler provides sample preparation functions, such as adding lysis buffer and heated incubation steps prior to adding a sample directly to Maxwell cartridges.”
Image: The MaxPrep Liquid Handler can be used for many sample preparation functions. Image courtesy of Promega.
With Maxwell Instruments, scientists can run automated, magnetic bead-based extraction of nucleic acids that can be used in fluorescent-dye quantitation and normalization prior to downstream applications, such as PCR, digital droplet PCR, and next-generation sequencing. “The Maxprep Liquid Handler transfers samples and adds QuantiFluor Dye to purified DNA to be read directly on the GloxMax Plate Readers to obtain quantitation data used by the Maxprep Liquid Handler for normalizing samples,” Roenneburg explains. “The Maxprep Liquid Handler, Maxwell Nucleic Acid Extraction Instruments, and GloMax Plate readers will work together as part of a larger laboratory workflow.”
With Promega’s Portal Access Software, scientists can connect these instruments and set up communications between the platforms. “Portal software shares sample tracking information and associated sample data from one instrument module to another as the sample moves through the workflow,” Roenneburg adds.
Calling all stations
At BMG LABTECH, the business philosophy is that microplate readers belong in systems, according to Eric Matthews, vice president of U.S. sales and business development. “BMG LABTECH readers are more likely to be part of boundary-pushing and creative workstation collaborations—solutions that take components of detection, automation, and assay technology, and optimize each,” he explains.
Image: These four PHERAstar FSX plate readers are integrated in a high-resolution biosolutions modular robotic workstation. Image courtesy of BMG LABTECH.
The need for collaborations never appeared more important than today, as healthcare experts and citizens alike battle the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID testing has created an environment where creative assays are needed to detect low levels of antigen rapidly and with a short processing time,” Matthews says. “If immediate results are needed—as with COVID—the best technology for high-throughput sample processing is already in use in high throughput–drug discovery labs.” These HTS systems, such as the ones made by BMG LABTECH, provide high sensitivity and speed.
Although COVID-19 drove an accelerated need to customize systems, other public health challenges ahead will also require special setups and capabilities from workstations that incorporate microplate readers. For the BMG LABTECH systems, “In almost every instance the way assays can be designed and data can be processed is customizable,” Matthews notes.
Exploring options
Going to a multistep workstation with a microplate reader might not require all new equipment. A scientist can describe the devices in a lab, the desired workflow, and ask a vendor how the needed system could be created.
If the only answer is, “Buy all new devices,” it’s time to ask around. There’s always more than one way to address a question, and a vendor should be creative enough to come up with options. Sure, some new equipment might be required, but there could also be ways to make use of equipment that a lab already owns and uses.
Plus, it’s not always the best idea to surround a microplate reader with a complete system right from the start. Sometimes it makes sense to jump right into a workstation, but an incremental approach will work better in other situations, especially where cost sits high on a lab’s list. Don’t hesitate to ask vendors for suggestions for step-by-step solutions that spread out the cost over time. There’s more than one way to build a multistep system.