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From Manual Sample Handling to Fully Automated Pipetting Robots: Technological Developments of Liquid Sample Processing Workflows Franziska VOGL, Annemarie MAROLD, Johannes NIEDERHAUSER, Karine SARGSYAN Biobank Graz Medical University of Graz, Austria As the number of samples in biorepositories increases, more and more biobanks are turning to automation. By this means, they standardize their procedures and thereby maintain high sample quality. Also, a reduction of labour and saving of time for sample processing and management are evident benefits of automated sample processing systems. INTRODUCTION CONCLUSION Fully automated pipetting robots are essential tools for large liquid sample biobanks, since they enable standardized high- throughput sample processing at high speed. By this means, these systems ensure high sample quality and provide full documentation of all steps. RESULTS METHODS Biobank Graz has used different generations of sample processing workflows for the handling of fluid samples. Based on our wide experience with diverse systems, the advantages and disadvantages of different systems were assessed to provide an overview of the technological developments of liquid sample processing workflows in biobanking. Funded by GZ 10.470/0016-II/3/2013 Manual pipetting & hand written report files Simple pipetting robot & hand written report files Fully automated liquid handling Features: • 2D barcode reader • Pipetting robot • Capper/decapper system • Freezing Unit (-20°C) • Connection to LIS (lab information system) => links sample and patient We evaluated ten years experience with liquid sample processing workflows - starting with manual sample handling, a first simple pipetting robot and finally a fully automated liquid handling robot. Manual workflows showed typical problems like inaccuracy of volumes, errors in reports and difficulties with the identification of tubes. Two of the major advantages of fully automated systems are the integrated barcode scanner and the integrated freezing carrier. In addition, the full documentation of all sample processing steps (see CEN-TS) and direct connection to databases are enormous benefits. 4 Freezing units Primary blood tubes Barcode scanner Sample pipetting Connection to the lab information system (LIS) Identification of phase interface = Lower limit of sample Pipetting of a predefined number of aliquots 4 freezing units => freezing of each aliquot within 5 to 7 min 2D barcodes 2D barcode reader Sample volume measurement Freezing Unit (-20°C) => calculation of number of possible aliquots Capper/decapper system Barcode scanner => sample carrier in front of a mirror to detect sample volume + phase changes Liquid sample processing workflows at Biobank Graz: 1998 – 2008 2008 – 2012 from 2012
