Robotics, laboratory

The Zymark robotic laboratory automation system Although detail procedures differ in each laboratory, the basic elements of binding and enzyme assays are similar. The generalized procedure shown in Table 1.10 highlights the common steps and indicates which Zymate laboratory systems are required. These procedures are performed using common laboratory glassware such as test tubes or in multiple tube devices such as microtitre plates. 

Table 1.10 Typical immunoassay procedure using Zymate robotic laboratory automation system... 

An important feature is that, with the exception of the catalyst synthesis, this is a fully automated process. Indeed, we envisage that in industry the entire process, including the synthesis and testing, can be automated using commercially available synthesis robots. If robotic synthesis and screening is available, the size of the test sets can be increased. Moreover, it is precisely the automated modelling and analysis aspect that is lacking in the robotic laboratory workflow. 

Zymark s Clara 2000 software package exemplifies the incorporation of advances in computer science into commercially available robotic laboratory equipment. Its release followed the acquisition of Scitec Automation Holdings by Zymark. Based on an upgraded... 

Understanding of the potential for robotic laboratories has led to a further reinterpretation of the good laboratory practice regulations, placing new emphasis on the importance of electronic audit trails and data controls. As reliance on human review and intervention decreases, concerns about the need for automated checks grows. 

Almost all aspects of manual analyses have been automated, ranging from sample handling to measurement with automated calculation and report generation. -96 yhgjjg automated analyses have been applied to many types of tests, including assay, content uniformity, dissolution, and moisture, and are routinely used for product release and stability testing. Some companies have constructed complete robotic laboratories in a centralized or decentralized manner to generate tens of thousands of assay results per year. 

The construction of a fully automated laboratory where all manual steps - from chemical synthesis to product characterization - are managed by robots is no longer a futuristic dream. Currently, about 20 companies are specialized in the design of chemistry robots of different sizes and levels of automation [15,16 Chapt. 19]. The robotized laboratory for chemical synthesis has to be connected with databases for building blocks, for reaction information, and for library information.The tools for data analysis should be accessible to the operator to design libraries and lead optimization in cooperation with specialists for screening, bioinformatics, database management, computational and medicinal chemistry, and for compound characterization. 

RGURE 33 16 A robotic laboratory syslem (a) rc t arm and hand (b) total system. (Courtesy of Caliper Life Sciences. Hopkinton. MA.)... 

Procurement of supplies (pipette tips, autosampler vials, filters, etc.) and waste disposal are also two important issues in setting up and maintaining a robotic laboratory. 

Figure 2. Pupils at the CoTeSys Central Robotics Laboratory at the Technische Universitdt Munchen...

North Carolina State University, Construction Automation Robotics Laboratory. 1996. Assessment of the Cost of Underground Utility Damages. Raleigh, NC. 17 p., plus appendixes. The study was also the subject of the following article Carver, C. 

Todd Danko Lead Research Scientist Intelligent Robotics Laboratory Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories... 

Research work on the use of capacitive sensors for detecting the Intrusion of humans into robotic workcells is now being carried out at the Robotics Laboratory of Ecole Polytechnique. We are using the... 

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