Robotics

Robotics

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Laboratories are facing increases in backlogs with limited resources. The Human Genome Project brought the use of robotics to the attention of the forensic community. Robotics affords laboratories a means to expedite the analysis and reduce turnaround times.

Robotic programs have been developed to:

Transfer bacterial colonies into 384-array microtitre plates
Isolate DNA
Quantitate and amplify DNA
Perform cycle sequencing reactions and clean-up procedures
Prepare samples for electrophoresis

Note:

These robotic programs were modified and adopted for the first large-scale mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing forensic application in which over 40,000 samples were processed to assist in the identification of the victims from the World Trade Center.15

The use of robotics systems improves precision, decreases errors and reduces analysis processing costs. Sample tracking on a robotics platform is frequently facilitated with barcode reader technology. Many of the extraction methods used on these robotics platforms are discussed in Subject 03, Module 02, Organic Extraction.

Robotics applications in DNA analysis focus on:

Extraction
Quantitation set up
Amplification set up
Capillary electrophoresis run set up

Currently Used Robotic Platforms
Manufacturer	Robotic System	Application
PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences, Inc.	Wallac DBS Puncher	Bloodstain cards automatically punched into microtitration plates
BSD Robotics	BSD600-Duet BSD700 BSD1000	Bloodstain cards automatically punched into microtitration plates
Qiagen, Inc.	BioRobot EZ1 BioRobot M48 Workstation BioRobot M96 Workstation BioRobot Genotyping System	Automated DNA extraction instrument capable of extracting DNA using magnetic bead technology. Liquid dispensing capabilities 16
Beckman Coulter, Inc.	Biomek^® 2000 Laboratory Automation* Biomek^®3000 Laboratory Automation* Biomek^®FX Laboratory Automation*	Automated DNA extraction instrument capable of extracting DNA Liquid dispensing capabilities 17-20
Tecan	Tecan	Customizable multi-component system Liquid dispensing capabilities 19
Tomtec	Quadra Series	Semi-customizable liquid handling system 21
Hamilton Company	STAR Line MICROLAB Series ATplus2	Liquid dispensing capabilities
*Promega’s IQ® DNA Isolation System and AluQuant® Human DNA Quantitation System have been validated on Biomek® Robotic Systems.

Notes:

It is important to be aware that manufacturers are continually updating their products. The above table reflects instrumentation available in early 2006.

A customized hands-free robotic integration of extraction, PCR setup, amplification, sample preparation, and sample loading is in use at the South African Police Service Forensic Science Laboratory in Pretoria.

Click here to watch an example of a robot preparing samples.

Click here to watch an example of a robot transporting samples from one machine to another.

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