Today’s fast-paced scientific and medical world creates a demand for prompt and timely diagnostic results. In clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research and in biotechnology one instrument that has revolutionised the way labs work is the automated reagent dispenser. These instruments facilitate the reproducible distribution of accurate reagent volumes, without human error, thereby reducing waste and maximizing productivity.
This guide covers why you need an automated reagent dispenser, what the advantages associated with one are, and which ones are the top on the market for a smooth laboratory process.
What is An ARM?
An Automatic reagent dispenser is a device used in the laboratory for the dispensing of reagents (chemicals). Where manually honing pipettes is labour-intensive and lacks reproducibility, automated features using multimodal sensors and robotic manipulation provide a high level of analytical consistency.
These holders can be found in:
- Clinical diagnostics for high-throughput testing
- Drug discovery and pharmaceutical development
- Genomic and proteomic research
- Food and environmental testing laboratories
Through the reduction of manual steps, automation equipment supports reproducibility, a must-have for regulations and credibility.
Automated Reagent Dispenser: The Advantages
Accuracy and Precision
In diagnostics and research a slight change in reagent volume can cause disparity in output. Automatic reagent dispensers assure delivery for consistent results.
Time Efficiency
Manually pipetting in hundreds of samples is very laborious. Automation significantly accelerates completion times for workflows and helps scientists concentrate on analysis rather than simply processing samples.
Reduced Contamination
Automated systems minimize the potential of contamination by decreasing direct contact. Especially in sensitive experiments, e.g. PCR testing or ELISA assays.
Cost Savings
Although they are expensive to begin with, as they reduce reagent wastage and labor costs, these dispensers offer tremendous value over time.
Scalability
They are also adaptable tools that labs of all sizes can use to take their activities to sub-liter levels.
Characteristics Of The Best Automated Reagent Dispenser
There are several relevant features that laboratories should take into account when selecting an automatic reagent dispenser:
- Volume range: Ability to accommodate in-lab volumes from microliter to milliliter.
- Compatibility: Capable to work with the various plate types (96, 384 and the 1536 well plates).
- Software incorporated: Simple user interface and interfacing to lab information systems.
- Speed of throughput: High efficiency for high-volume processes.
- Maintenance and reliability: Long life time, cleanliness.
Best Automated Reagent Dispenser to Improve the Workflow in Your Lab
The following top best automated reagent dispenser have been favorites among researchers for many years:
Tecan D300e Digital Dispenser
The new ultra fast microplate stacker Tecan D300e is perfect for drug discovery and genomics applications. It is based on an inkjet-like technology for delivering nanoliter to microliter volumes of sample into assay plates. Indoore staking saves large volumes of expensive reagents and provide a precision down to the limit.
Thermo Scientific Multidrop Combi Reagent Dispenser
The popular Multidrop range offers reliable microplate dispensers for small-scale dispensing of up to eight reagents per run.
The Multidrop Combi is widely used in both cell based and biochemical assays. It’s a workhorse for high-throughput labs, with quick plate filling and adjustable volume ranges.
Integra VIAFLO 96/384
With a high throughput and affordable price point, the VIAFLO system is well-suited for labs that need to be able to perform parallel pipetting into a 96 or 384-well plate. Its manually operated design also makes it easier to use than completely automated dispensers.
BioTek MultiFlo FX Multi-Mode Dispenser
The MultiFlo FX from BioTek delivers unique range of features by combining various well-plate dispense levels and liquid handling applications in a single, automated instrument. Especially good for labs with varied assay requirements.
Eppendorf epMotion Series
Eppendorf’s epMotion is an entire automation workstation that includes not just the reagent dispensing but liquid transfers, PCR set-up, and sample prep capabilities. It’s perfect for lab’s who are looking for an all-in-one solution.
The Benefits of Automated Reagent Dispenser for Improving the Efficiency of Workflows
Incorporating an automatic dispensing system into routine lab work is more than just a time saver. It also:
- The reproducibility of the experiments is improved, which is beneficial to make the results reliable and believable.
- Instrumentation frees researchers from tedious pipetting, enabling more time to focus on data analysis.
- Improves laboratory safety by reducing chemicals contact.
- Enables labs to keep pace with rising testing volumes without an equal rise in staffing.
At their core, these systems help labs accomplish more with less (less time, less waste and fewer errors).
Conclusion
At a time when demands on the laboratory are increasing, efficiency and accuracy have never been more important. An automated aliquot dispenser is now a lab requirement, compared to a luxury. With the right dispenser, laboratories can improve throughput, save money, and get more reliable results.
State-of-the-art automated reagent dispensers, such as those from Tecan, Thermo Scientific, Integra, BioTek, and Eppendorf, provide solutions to meet a variety of research and diagnostic requirements. With high throughput or specialized workflows, no longer do you need to be bottlenecked by manual processing.