Pipetting is vital to most lab work, from immunoassays to analytical chemistry. Yet, while labs keep up to date with the latest scientific findings to improve their research, many don’t prioritize using new and advanced equipment for a smoother workflow and more accurate results.

TRACKMAN® Connected, a tablet-based liquid handling platform, can automate liquid handling and drastically reduce pipetting time. Here we highlight how the installation of TRACKMAN Connected in a molecular biology lab at University of Oxford helped researchers overcome a major research bottleneck, sharing their reflections on the implementation.

researchers

Challenges in the Molecular Biology Lab

In the Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit of MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford, the team investigates the mechanisms and impacts of endogenous genotoxic aldehydes on stem cells and tissue homeostasis. Tools such as mass spectrometry are routinely used to quantify formaldehyde damage to DNA, which requires the preparation of digested DNA samples for investigation and characterization. This means that for researchers in this lab, Dr. Chris Millington and Dr. Felix Dingler, pipetting is an essential part of the day-to-day workflow to prepare these samples.

To help the team meet their research goals, they constantly look for ways to improve their lab's efficiency, including regular reviews of their processes to identify any areas for optimization. One bottleneck the group found in their existing workflow was the laborious pipetting needed for their sample preparation. “Sometimes we need to digest up to 80 DNA samples at a time for our research. All the concentrations of DNA need to be kept the same in each sample, often referred to as normalization, which needs a significant amount of careful pipetting work,” explains Millington. However, keeping up this high level of accuracy can be extremely time-consuming for the team, as repetitive manual adjustment of pipette volumes takes several hours.

The team decided to implement TRACKMAN Connected, as it improved their pipetting with many of the benefits of automation: speeding up their processes, reducing error, and making their workflow smoother.

Five Findings on the Journey to Automated Liquid Handling

It has been over one year since the molecular biology lab first implemented TRACKMAN Connected and started benefitting from connected liquid handling. Since incorporating the equipment into their workflows, Millington and Dingler have reflected on their journey to share their experiences, findings, and outcomes.

1 Gilson Offers Exceptional Customer Service

When initially considering the system, the team contacted Gilson for a virtual demo to learn more. After seeing the benefits of TRACKMAN Connected virtually, they were put in touch with a local Gilson representative, who allowed them to trial the system first-hand. “The contact was extremely helpful, and we could try out the device and pipettes before we committed to buying them,” comments Dingler. Their first-hand experience of the level of support given by Gilson helped confirm to the team that TRACKMAN Connected was the right solution for them.

After installing the system, Gilson continued to work with the team to get their projects up-and-running by implementing their protocol on the system. “Thanks to the demo, we already knew exactly what we’d be getting, and with the representative’s continued assistance, we were able to learn how to use it effectively,” says Dingler.

2 Semi-Automation Gave Significant Time Savings

Time-saving features are one of the biggest attractions when a lab is considering implementing a new system with connected technology, and this further supported the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit’s decision to purchase the system. But for Millington, it was surprising just how much time was saved by using TRACKMAN Connected. In their new workflow, the pipette automatically adjusts to measure the correct volumes accurately and precisely, removing the need for manual intervention.

“Normally, to make up a plate of 80 samples would take roughly 3 hours. With TRACKMAN Connected, the entire process takes 40 minutes from start to finish,” explains Millington. In addition, the flexibility of the system meant the team could switch their workflow from plastic centrifuge tubes to a 96-well plate, reducing preparation steps for mass spectrometry analysis.

The team is using their freed-up time to be more productive. “Because it takes a lot less time to prepare each sample, we’re now able to run a lot more experiments and increase our throughput. By getting more done, it means we’re able to answer additional research questions we simply wouldn’t have had the bandwidth to even consider previously,” says Dingler.

Normally, to make up a plate of 80 samples would take roughly 3 hours. With TRACKMAN Connected, the entire process takes 40 minutes from start to finish.
- Dr. Chris Millington, University of Oxford

3 Consistency is Key

As well as saving time, the team was impressed with how much TRACKMAN Connected smoothed their workflow. The easy-to-use system allowed Millington and Dingler to effortlessly set up a standard protocol for use across the entire lab. ”Although everyone’s research has a different focus, we all must measure formaldehyde adducts on DNA. Now, everyone can stick to the same procedure and make sure we have consistency across all our results,” states Dingler. “The entire workflow is extremely smooth, which creates much less stress for the user” — Dr. Felix Dingler

The benefits of a consistent workflow reached further than the work itself and improved the daily routine of the researchers in the lab, too. “The device makes it much simpler for me to get into the flow of my work. I’m not disrupted by changing pipettes and volumes, which means it’s not only easier but enjoyable to be more productive,” comments Dingler.

4 TRACKMAN Connected Frees Up Valuable Space

While many molecular biology labs have considered bringing automation to their workflow to help them achieve more, space is at a premium — and Millington and Dingler’s lab is no exception. But compared to fully automated solutions, the compact TRACKMAN Connected tablet takes up a fraction of the space while bursting with useful features. And, when the team isn’t using the equipment, they can easily store it in a drawer to free up bench space for other tasks.

PIPETMAN M Connected is also compatible with non-standard labware, meaning no additional equipment is required. This allows the team to incorporate the solution into their existing setup, as they can use vessels other than plates as part of their workflow. For example, their DNA extraction procedure is performed in tubes. “We can take the sample from these tubes, and then pipette them directly onto the plate. This means that the system integrates perfectly with what we’re already doing, making it a lot more efficient and space-friendly,” says Dingler.

5 The System Keeps Improving

The installation of TRACKMAN Connected is just the beginning. The system is continually improving, with new features and shared with users. For example, when the team initially installed TRACKMAN Connected, the system could handle up to 50 vials at once. However, the nature of the team’s workflow meant they would have benefitted from greater sample capability. “Recent changes to the system mean that we can now process an entire 96-well plate, with all the data being put into one Excel file. Our data is now a lot more organized,” explains Millington.

To direct new software improvements, Gilson listens to feedback directly from all its customers. Dingler comments: “Being a smaller customer means companies aren’t always willing to take our feedback. We were impressed with Gilson and that our needs and requests were taken so seriously. It’s been incredible to see the software continually improve in a direction that really accelerates our individual workflow.”

A More Efficient Workflow for Greater Findings

TRACKMAN Connected is the ideal liquid handling tool to make up solutions quickly, accurately, and precisely in the molecular biology lab. For the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit at Oxford University, the team enjoyed a much quicker workflow and more consistent results after installing the system. Now, the team can run more samples and, ultimately, delve more deeply into their research focus: the damage caused by aldehydes in the body.

Dingler says: “If you’re currently using a standardized process involving pipetting in your workflow, try out TRACKMAN Connected — it’s bound to make your processes much more effective.”