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Case Studies > Rapid and Flexible Automation Workflow Development for qPCR with the Antha Standard Element Set

Rapid and Flexible Automation Workflow Development for qPCR with the Antha Standard Element Set

Technology Category
  • Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Data Management Platforms
Applicable Industries
  • Healthcare & Hospitals
  • Life Sciences
Applicable Functions
  • Product Research & Development
  • Quality Assurance
Use Cases
  • Predictive Quality Analytics
  • Process Control & Optimization
Services
  • Software Design & Engineering Services
  • System Integration
The Challenge
Cambridge Consultants, a world leader in disruptive innovation and technology-based consulting, was facing challenges in streamlining their lab operations due to the high turnover of projects. Their labs needed to be flexible and capable of developing and executing robust new protocols quickly. They required a scalable, robust tool that could provide end-to-end connectivity of devices and data to run protocols effectively, particularly complex multi-factorial experiments with many varying conditions. One area where they needed significant improvement was in the rapid and flexible development of liquid handling automation workflows. They needed a solution that could handle high throughput, fast execution speed, custom sample handling steps, robust sample traceability, excellent reproducibility, and minimized execution costs.
About The Customer
Cambridge Consultants is a global leader in disruptive innovation and technology-based consulting. Established in 1960, the company has delivered thousands of groundbreaking technology projects to clients worldwide across multiple industry sectors. Today, Cambridge Consultants employs over 800 staff across six sites and manages over 400 projects annually. The company started working with Synthace in 2016, recognizing the need for a scalable, robust tool to streamline their lab operations due to the high turnover of projects. Their labs needed to be flexible and capable of quickly developing and executing robust new protocols.
The Solution
Cambridge Consultants chose Synthace's Antha software to automate their entire qPCR workflow. This included interpretation of a qPCR experimental design input, automated dilutions, plate setup, and execution of the analytical run. The Antha software was used in conjunction with a Gilson PIPETMAX® automated liquid handling platform and an Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 instrument. Both devices were controlled by the Antha platform as part of a single workflow. The Antha software provided a high-level abstraction for the user with regards to programming liquid handling automation platforms. It also provided an optional interface for optimizing the resulting workflows with low-level parameter control. The Antha UI allowed for the rapid prototyping of experimental workflows while supporting the flexibility required for downstream optimization of a liquid handling workflow.
Operational Impact
  • The Antha software provided a complete end-to-end connectivity of devices and data to run protocols effectively.
  • The software allowed for the rapid prototyping of experimental workflows while supporting the flexibility required for downstream optimization of a liquid handling workflow.
  • The Antha software provided a high-level abstraction for the user with regards to programming liquid handling automation platforms.
Quantitative Benefit
  • A complete 384-well plate can be processed in 2 hours with a hands-on time of only 25 minutes, saving nearly 2 hours of hands-on time per run.
  • The workflow is now scalable to allow extensive testing in realistic timelines, increasing throughput by 50%.
  • The resulting data generated is highly reliable and reproducible while improving cross-contamination control.

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