SLAS2023: Lab automation news round-up
Catch up on the latest lab automation hot topics and new technology from SLAS2023
27 Mar 2023
This year, the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) held its international conference and exhibition in San Diego, February 25 – March 1, 2023. The event brought together scientists from across the globe to discuss the latest developments in laboratory automation and screening.
The SelectScience® editorial team attended the conference, to bring you technology highlights from the show floor and updates on the latest hot topics and trends in the industry.
Some key themes that emerged during the conference included how artificial intelligence may play a role in accelerating the discovery of therapeutics and biomarkers, what laboratories of the future may look like, and how automation can be used to free up scientists’ time so they can focus on performing the science that matters. Read on for key news highlights, expert interviews, and product launches from the show.
Laboratory automation news: Technology highlights
SelectScience spoke to manufacturers and scientists on the show floor to learn more about the latest laboratory automation products streamlining workflows. Below you can watch a selection of key video interviews filmed at the show.
The impact of barcoded sample management systems in cancer therapy development pipelines.
Gina Chen, Compound Manager at Ikena Oncology, described how the Mosaic Sample Management Software by Titian has helped to transform Ikena Oncology’s small molecule development pipelines.
Streamlining compound library preparation with an integrated sample management platform
Corbin Occhino, Senior Scientist at Tyra Biosciences, shared how the Mosaic Sample Management Software by Titian has transformed the way the precision oncology company manages its compound libraries.
Increase cell line selection throughput for biotherapeutics with automated clone selection
Dieter Wagner, Product Manager of Cytomat at Thermo Fisher Scientific, explained how the new Thermo Scientific™ Cytomat™ 2 Selector can accelerate your cell line selection while simplifying your workflow with less consumables, and hands-on time.
Dynamic laboratory automation system can easily reconfigure your setup
Shaival Desai, Product Manager, Lab Automation Hardware at Thermo Fisher Scientific, explained how Thermo Scientific™ SmartCarts transform conventional docking methods to connect your workflows, while the Thermo Scientific™ Spinnaker™ microplate moving robot can easily adjust to new configurations.
Accelerate genomics research with this compact, all-in-one liquid handler
Paul Lomax, Head of Genomics at SPT Labtech, explained how the firefly® all-in-one compact liquid handling workstation from SPT Labtech incorporates pipetting, dispensing, incubating, and shaking, making it ideal for genomics applications.
Miniaturize NGS methods with an automated liquid handler duo
Chris Waddling, Field Application Scientist at SPT Labtech, described how genomics researchers can miniaturize next generation sequencing (NGS) methods to increase throughput and lower costs using the combination of the mosquito® and dragonfly® automated liquid handlers from SPT Labtech.
Revolutionizing tube labeling with advanced laser tech
Waldemar Janzen, Global Product Manager at LVL Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, introduced the new Tube Laser Marker (TLM 864) and explained how this instrument can mark tubes with specific information, without the need for time-consuming and non-secure labeling and lettering methods.
Airflow in automation: Custom solutions for enhanced biosafety
Seth De Penning and Drew Pippin from NuAire discussed how a biosafety cabinet is an important complement to any automated equipment, and detailed how a custom solution can overcome the challenges with airflow.
Highlights from the show also included a series of presentations from key opinion leaders, hosted by Tecan. The presentations included talks on a semi-automated workflow for cell seeding drug treatment and the real-time assessment of snake venom toxicity on a 3D blood vessel model. CN Bio presented its portfolio of PhysioMimix™ OOC Microphysiological Systems and Automata displayed its LINQ platform for fully automated workflows and the transport of labware. The SelectScience team also caught up with ePrep to learn more about its robotic sample preparation workstation for chromatography users and PerkinElmer for an overview of its new EnVision® Nexus™ multimode plate reader.
Scientists’ Choice Awards: Drug Discovery & Development winners announced at SLAS2023
The world’s most innovative and effective technologies advancing drug discovery and development were recognized during the SelectScience Scientists’ Choice Awards® announcement held at SLAS2023. Steve Rees OBE, Vice President Discovery Biology, AstraZeneca, joined the celebration as a special guest to speak about the importance of communication in science. This year’s Scientists' Choice Awards winners included Agilent Technologies who won the award for Best New Drug Discovery & Development Product of 2022 for its Seahorse XF Pro Analyzer, as voted for by scientists around the world. You can view the full list of winners here >>
For more coverage from SLAS2023 visit our dedicated SLAS 2023 special feature page