Robotic Liquid Handling Systems Enhance Cancer Virus Research Studies

Experiments designed to better the understanding of the biology of viral cancers such as Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are increasingly being carried out on robotic liquid handling platforms.

One such unit – the Tecan (Männedorf, Switzerland) Freedom EVO 150 robotic platform in 384­well format with integrated LightCycler 480 Real-Time PCR – is in place at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, USA) where investigators are intensively studying KSHV.

The Freedom EVO series offers worktables with building-block modularity that ensures precision, reliable liquid handling, and easy-to-use robotics. Each platform can be combined with a wide choice of robotic arms, liquid handling tools, and application options powered by straightforward software that can be programmed to meet the needs of each individual laboratory. Furthermore, the upgradeable Freedom EVO platform can evolve with changing application requirements making the initial investment in the instrument even more worthwhile.

An example of the type of data obtainable with the Freedom EVO system appeared in the June 27, 2012, online edition of the Journal of Virology. Dr. Pauline Chugh, a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of North Carolina said, “We use three main strategies to investigate viral tumorigenesis – viral gene expression, microRNA (miRNA) expression, and viral load testing of clinical samples – based on 96 primer qPCR arrays. Performing the assays manually would be very labor-intensive, and so we use automation to provide the throughput necessary for these studies.”

“The workstation gives us the ability to perform automated analysis of up to 750 gene sequences per sample in just one day, allowing us to, for example, look at the whole miRNA library following infection with the virus,” said Dr. Chugh. “We have also been able to miniaturize many of our protocols, which offer significant cost savings in terms of reagents. Having the ability to multitask has also significantly improved our productivity, allowing us to perform other experiments or analyze data while the instrument is running. Alternatively, we can load 60 individual arrays onto the Freedom EVO and leave the system running overnight. It’s basically generating data while you sleep.”

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