How is Automation Changing Laboratory Work?

From reducing operational costs to increasing sample turnaround times, laboratories are continually searching for new ways to improve efficiency. Automation offers a multitude of productivity benefits and has become omnipresent in laboratories around the world.

So, what exactly is automation? It describes the use of automated instruments, equipment and control systems to minimise human intervention. Want to know more about how automation is changing laboratory work? Read on as we spotlight three of the biggest improvements automation has championed over the past decade.

Improve accuracy, precision and trueness

Even the smallest inconsistencies can compromise the accuracy, precision and trueness of results. Automated equipment and instruments have allowed researchers to eliminate the discrepancies caused by human error and help ensure more accurate and reliable results. As well as sample handling and preparation, automation is used to analyse results. Companies like Thermo Fisher are pioneers of lab automation software and have developed powerful data management solutions that allow researchers to unlock error-free results.

Increase sample turnaround times

Automation can drastically reduce the turnaround times offered by laboratories. This is especially useful for time-sensitive fields such as virology. For example, automated equipment like the Roche cobas® 6800 system uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to carry out high throughput testing of COVID-19 nasal swab samples. The advanced instrument performs a variety of tasks, including viral nucleic acid extraction, purification, amplification and detection. The ability to automate testing allows scientists to detect active COVID-19 cases as soon as possible and prevent further community outbreaks. As well as healthcare-specific companies such as Roche, multinational professional services firms like Ernst & Young have been enlisted to develop bot technology for COVID-19 analysis.

Minimise the risk of repetitive strain injury

While laboratory work isn’t usually associated with physical stress, the repetitiveness of certain tasks can result in high repetitive strain injury (RSI). Pipetting, the process of aspirating, transporting and dispensing liquids, is one of the worst RSI offenders. The use of automated pipetting systems and liquid handling robots not only improves accuracy and precision, but also helps to prevent workplace injuries.

The capacity to minimise the risk of out-of-specification (OOS) errors is one of the biggest benefits of automation. Automated solution such as the XPR Automatic Balance from Mettler Toledo have revolutionised sample preparation through direct gravimetric dosing. Find out more about the game-changing technology in ‘How gravimetric sample preparation is helping pharmaceutical manufacturers meet the demands of consumers, regulators, and the market.’