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Wolf Á, Zsoldos P, Széll K, Galambos P. Towards robotic laboratory automation plug & play: Reference architecture model for robot integration. SLAS Technol 2024:100168. [PMID: 39098589 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2024.100168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Supportive robotic solutions take over mundane, but essential tasks from human workforce in biomedical research and development laboratories. The newest technologies in collaborative and mobile robotics enable the utilization in the human-centered and low-structured environment. Their adaptability, however, is hindered by the additional complexity that they introduce. In our paper we aim to entangle the convoluted laboratory robot integration architectures. We begin by hierarchically decomposing the laboratory workflows, and mapping the activity representations to layers and components of the automation control architecture. We elaborate the framework in detail on the example of pick-and-place labware transportation - a crucial supportive step, which we identified as the number one area of interest among experts of the field. Our concept proposal serves as a reference architecture model, the key principles of which were used in reference implementations, and are in line with international standardization efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Wolf
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a Takeda company, Industriestraße 67, A-1221 Wien, Austria; Doctoral School of Applied Informatics and Applied Mathematics, Óbuda University, Hungary.
| | - Panna Zsoldos
- Antal Bejczy Center for Intelligent Robotics, Óbuda University, Hungary
| | - Károly Széll
- Alba Regia Technical Faculty, Óbuda University, H-8000, Székesfehérvár, Hungary
| | - Péter Galambos
- Antal Bejczy Center for Intelligent Robotics, Óbuda University, Hungary
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2
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Thurow K. Strategies for automating analytical and bioanalytical laboratories. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023:10.1007/s00216-023-04727-2. [PMID: 37173407 PMCID: PMC10181916 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04727-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Analytical measurement methods are used in different areas of production and quality control, diagnostics, environmental monitoring, or in research applications. If direct inline or online measurement methods are not possible, the samples taken have to be processed offline in the manual laboratory. Automated processes are increasingly being used to enhance throughput and improve the quality of results. In contrast to bioscreening, the degree of automation in (bio)analytical laboratories is still low. This is due in particular to the complexity of the processes, the required process conditions, and the complex matrices of the samples. The requirements of the process to be automated itself and numerous other parameters influence the selection of a suitable automation concept. Different automation strategies can be used to automate (bio)analytical processes. Classically, liquid handler-based systems are used. For more complex processes, systems with central robots are used to transport samples and labware. With the development of new collaborative robots, there will also be the possibility of distributed automation systems in the future, which will enable even more flexible automation and use of all subsystems. The complexity of the systems increases with the complexity of the processes to be automated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Thurow
- Center for Life Science Automation, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
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3
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Isitman O, Bettahar H, Zhou Q. Non-Contact Cooperative Manipulation of Magnetic Microparticles Using Two Robotic Electromagnetic Needles. IEEE Robot Autom Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1109/lra.2021.3137546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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4
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System Concepts for Robots in Life Science Applications. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12073257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
For a long time, robot-based automation solutions have found their way into industrial production and manufacturing [...]
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5
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Optimal Design of a Parallel Manipulator for Aliquoting of Biomaterials Considering Workspace and Singularity Zones. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12042070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This article presents the concept of a robotic system for aliquoting of biomaterial, consisting of a serial manipulator in combination with a parallel Delta-like robot. The paper describes a mathematical formulation for approximating the geometric constraints of the parallel robot as a set of solutions to a system of nonlinear inequalities. The analysis of the workspace is carried out, taking into account singularity zones, using a method based on the analysis of the Jacobian matrix of the mechanism and the interference of links. An optimal design procedure is proposed for the dimensional synthesis based on a criterion for maximizing the volume of the workspace, taking into account the ambiguity of the solution of the inverse kinematics. Simulation results are reported and discussed to propose a suitable design solution.
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6
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Dugheri S, Mucci N, Cappelli G, Trevisani L, Bonari A, Bucaletti E, Squillaci D, Arcangeli G. Advanced Solid-Phase Microextraction Techniques and Related Automation: A Review of Commercially Available Technologies. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL METHODS IN CHEMISTRY 2022; 2022:8690569. [PMID: 35154846 PMCID: PMC8837452 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8690569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The solid-phase microextraction (SPME), invented by Pawliszyn in 1989, today has a renewed and growing use and interest in the scientific community with fourteen techniques currently available on the market. The miniaturization of traditional sample preparation devices fulfills the new request of an environmental friendly analytical chemistry. The recent upswing of these solid-phase microextraction technologies has brought new availability and range of robotic automation. The microextraction solutions propose today on the market can cover a wide variety of analytical fields and applications. This review reports on the state-of-the-art innovative solid-phase microextraction techniques, especially those used for chromatographic separation and mass-spectrometric detection, given the recent improvements in availability and range of automation techniques. The progressively implemented solid-phase microextraction techniques and related automated commercially available devices are classified and described to offer a valuable tool to summarize their potential combinations to face all the laboratories requirements in terms of analytical applications, robustness, sensitivity, and throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Dugheri
- Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology Laboratory, University Hospital Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Nicola Mucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cappelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucia Trevisani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Bucaletti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Donato Squillaci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulio Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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7
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Zanchettin AM, Facciotti F. A collaborative robotic solution to partly automate SARS-CoV-2 serological tests in small facilities. SLAS Technol 2022; 27:100-106. [PMID: 35058214 PMCID: PMC8545608 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 has introduced a significant stress on the healthcare systems of many countries. The availability of quick and reliable screening methodologies can be regarded as the keystone approach to mitigate the spread of the infection until mass vaccination campaigns will be made available to the population. In this scenario, robotics technology can serve as a substantial help in clinical laboratories to speed up the activities. This work describes in the details a collaborative robotics application developed in partnership with a clinical hospital and a robot manufacturer to partly automate SARS-CoV-2 quantitative serological tests. This technology can be particularly beneficial for small laboratory facilities to alleviate technicians from performing repetitive operations. By automating part of the operations, the overall throughput can be increased of 66%, while the amount of possibly harmful pipetting activities performed by the human can be reduced of 62%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Maria Zanchettin
- Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci 32, Milano, Italy.
| | - Federica Facciotti
- Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, via Ripamonti 435, Milano, Italy.
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8
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Tinte MM, Chele KH, van der Hooft JJJ, Tugizimana F. Metabolomics-Guided Elucidation of Plant Abiotic Stress Responses in the 4IR Era: An Overview. Metabolites 2021; 11:445. [PMID: 34357339 PMCID: PMC8305945 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11070445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants are constantly challenged by changing environmental conditions that include abiotic stresses. These are limiting their development and productivity and are subsequently threatening our food security, especially when considering the pressure of the increasing global population. Thus, there is an urgent need for the next generation of crops with high productivity and resilience to climate change. The dawn of a new era characterized by the emergence of fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies has redefined the ideological boundaries of research and applications in plant sciences. Recent technological advances and machine learning (ML)-based computational tools and omics data analysis approaches are allowing scientists to derive comprehensive metabolic descriptions and models for the target plant species under specific conditions. Such accurate metabolic descriptions are imperatively essential for devising a roadmap for the next generation of crops that are resilient to environmental deterioration. By synthesizing the recent literature and collating data on metabolomics studies on plant responses to abiotic stresses, in the context of the 4IR era, we point out the opportunities and challenges offered by omics science, analytical intelligence, computational tools and big data analytics. Specifically, we highlight technological advancements in (plant) metabolomics workflows and the use of machine learning and computational tools to decipher the dynamics in the chemical space that define plant responses to abiotic stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morena M. Tinte
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa; (M.M.T.); (K.H.C.)
| | - Kekeletso H. Chele
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa; (M.M.T.); (K.H.C.)
| | | | - Fidele Tugizimana
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa; (M.M.T.); (K.H.C.)
- International Research and Development Division, Omnia Group, Ltd., Johannesburg 2021, South Africa
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9
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Determinations of new psychoactive substances in biological matrices with focus on microextraction techniques: a review of fundamentals and state-of-the-art extraction methods. Forensic Toxicol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-021-00582-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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10
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Ochiai K, Motozawa N, Terada M, Horinouchi T, Masuda T, Kudo T, Kamei M, Tsujikawa A, Matsukuma K, Natsume T, Kanda GN, Takahashi M, Takahashi K. A Variable Scheduling Maintenance Culture Platform for Mammalian Cells. SLAS Technol 2020; 26:209-217. [PMID: 33269985 PMCID: PMC7985857 DOI: 10.1177/2472630320972109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cell culturing is a basic experimental technique in cell biology and medical science. However, culturing high-quality cells with a high degree of reproducibility relies heavily on expert skills and tacit knowledge, and it is not straightforward to scale the production process due to the education bottleneck. Although many automated culture systems have been developed and a few have succeeded in mass production environments, very few robots are permissive of frequent protocol changes, which are often required in basic research environments. LabDroid is a general-purpose humanoid robot with two arms that performs experiments using the same tools as humans. Combining our newly developed AI software with LabDroid, we developed a variable scheduling system that continuously produces subcultures of cell lines without human intervention. The system periodically observes the cells on plates with a microscope, predicts the cell growth curve by processing cell images, and decides the best times for passage. We have succeeded in developing a system that maintains the cultures of two HEK293A cell plates with no human intervention for 192 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Ochiai
- Laboratory for Biologically Inspired Computing, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naohiro Motozawa
- Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Motoki Terada
- Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Takaaki Horinouchi
- Laboratory for Biologically Inspired Computing, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory for Multiscale Biosystem Dynamics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Masuda
- Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Taku Kudo
- Robotic Biology Institute Inc., Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Akitaka Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Tohru Natsume
- Robotic Biology Institute Inc., Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Genki N Kanda
- Laboratory for Biologically Inspired Computing, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.,Robotic Biology Institute Inc., Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayo Takahashi
- Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.,VisionCare Inc., Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Koichi Takahashi
- Laboratory for Biologically Inspired Computing, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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11
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Creydt M, Fischer M. Food authentication in real life: How to link nontargeted approaches with routine analytics? Electrophoresis 2020; 41:1665-1679. [PMID: 32249434 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202000030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In times of increasing globalization and the resulting complexity of trade flows, securing food quality is an increasing challenge. The development of analytical methods for checking the integrity and, thus, the safety of food is one of the central questions for actors from science, politics, and industry. Targeted methods, for the detection of a few selected analytes, still play the most important role in routine analysis. In the past 5 years, nontargeted methods that do not aim at individual analytes but on analyte profiles that are as comprehensive as possible have increasingly come into focus. Instead of investigating individual chemical structures, data patterns are collected, evaluated and, depending on the problem, fed into databases that can be used for further nontargeted approaches. Alternatively, individual markers can be extracted and transferred to targeted methods. Such an approach requires (i) the availability of authentic reference material, (ii) the corresponding high-resolution laboratory infrastructure, and (iii) extensive expertise in processing and storing very large amounts of data. Probably due to the requirements mentioned above, only a few methods have really established themselves in routine analysis. This review article focuses on the establishment of nontargeted methods in routine laboratories. Challenges are summarized and possible solutions are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Creydt
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Fischer
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Vyviurska O, Špánik I. Novel sample preparation approaches in gas chromatographic analysis: Promising ideas. J Sep Sci 2019; 43:174-188. [PMID: 31423726 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201900685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The development of sample preparation procedures is still a dynamic process despite a number of already proposed techniques. The main challenge in this research field is to fully replace classical procedures like liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction in gas chromatographic analysis. Some progress has been already achieved for the last 20 years when miniaturized techniques were incorporated in ISO standards. The current review is focused on novel approaches in sample treatment that appeared since 2010. It includes research studies describing non-conventional instrumental design available to inspire future progress in the field. A combination of a few extraction principles and supporting with additional treatment are the main core suggested for improvement of sample preparation efficiency. This requires good compatibility of extraction media, assessment of multiple experimental parameters, and potential automatization possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Vyviurska
- Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Ivan Špánik
- Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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13
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Fleischer H, Joshi S, Roddelkopf T, Klos M, Thurow K. Automated Analytical Measurement Processes Using a Dual-Arm Robotic System. SLAS Technol 2019; 24:354-356. [PMID: 30816065 DOI: 10.1177/2472630319827613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The demand for automation in the analytical laboratory is high. In contrast to well-automated bioscreening and high-throughput and high-content screening processes, analytical measurement procedures are complex in their structure and changing frequently. Not only do robotic units have to perform transportation or specific single tasks, but also flexible robots are needed to cover several tasks, including transportation and direct sample manipulation. Due to their human-like structure, dual-arm robots are predestined for analytical measurement processes. A new study published in the journal Energies presents a novel integration of electronic piston pipettes into an automation system using a dual-arm robot to perform liquid handling tasks similar to human operators. In this commentary, the main findings are highlighted and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Fleischer
- 1 Institute of Automation, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Shalaka Joshi
- 2 Center for Life Science Automation (celisca), University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Thomas Roddelkopf
- 2 Center for Life Science Automation (celisca), University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Kerstin Thurow
- 2 Center for Life Science Automation (celisca), University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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14
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Analytical Measurements and Efficient Process Generation Using a Dual–Arm Robot Equipped with Electronic Pipettes. ENERGIES 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/en11102567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The continued growth in life sciences is being accompanied by the constantly rising demand for robotic systems. Today, bioscreening and high–throughput screening processes are well automated. In contrast, a deficit can be found in the area of analytical measurements with complex and frequently changing processes. Robots undertake not only transportation tasks, but also direct sample manipulation and subsequent analytical measurements. Due to their human-like structure, dual-arm robots perform such processes similar to human operation. Liquid handling is required to transfer chemicals, to prepare standard solutions, or to dilute samples. Two electronic pipettes with different volume ranges (5–200 µL and 50–1000 µL) were integrated into a dual–arm robotic system. The main focus in this publication is the software interface for alternating robot and pipette control as well as the high–level process control system. The performance using a dual–arm robot equipped with electronic pipettes and conventional manual pipettes was determined and compared. The automation system presented is the first integration of a dual-arm robot in analytical measurement processes. Conventional manual laboratory pipettes and electronic pipettes are simultaneously used for liquid-handling tasks. The software control system enables a flexible and user-friendly process generation.
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