Application
Liquid Biopsy
A liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to detect genetic alterations and other molecular biomarkers in various bodily fluids, primarily blood plasma or serum.
When cells die, small pieces of their DNA are shed into the bloodstream. These fragments can be assessed by Next Generation Sequencing or (d)PCR to indicate the presence of diseases or other conditions.
Liquid biopsies provide real-time molecular insights at significantly lower cost and risk than traditional tissue biopsies. They are also well-suited for large-scale studies while offering high sensitivity.
Liquid Biopsy Applications
In cancer patients, circulating tumor-derived DNA (ctDNA)mixes with normal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from apoptosed leukocytes. This ctDNA fraction supports early cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment selection, minimal residual disease tracking and relapse detection during patient follow-up.
Other tumor-associated analytes that can be analyzed include circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or exosomes. Together, this enhances diagnostic power and enables early disease detection across multiple cancers.
Beyond oncology, cfDNA is used in prenatal testing and organ transplant monitoring.
How Hamilton Supports Your Liquid Biopsy Process Workflows
High-quality preanalytical standardization is essential for any liquid biopsy workflow.
cfDNA extraction and analysis relies on precise plasma fractionation, aliquoting, preservation and isolation for robust results with high sensitivity.
Hamilton offers both customizable and dedicated fully-automated liquid handling solutions for liquid biopsy workflows in precision medicine from blood sample fractionation, subsequent cfDNA extraction and downstream NGS library preparation or PCR analysis.
We support compatibility with several magnetic bead-based cfDNA extraction kits, which are widely used in protocols requiring high yield, high-quality cfDNA.
Hamilton systems ensure consistent and safe processing of blood components, delivering reproducible results with minimal hands-on time.
Hamilton storage solutions preserve plasma samples and reagents under tightly controlled storage temperatures. This guarantees traceability and simplifies access in regulated environments like blood banks or clinical labs.
Explore our Liquid Biopsy Solutions and Applications in Detail
Choose an outcome below to see personalized product recommendations.
The Hamilton Microlab Prep is an affordable liquid handler perfect for automating workflows. This entry-level liquid handler supports automated PCR setup and serial dilution.
The Hamilton Microlab STAR is a reliable and versatile automated liquid handling platform. With advanced features like multi-probe heads, pipetting technologies, and VENUS software, this premier liquid handling system fits your laboratory needs. Revolutionize your workflows with the STAR today!
Hamilton STAR V, a cutting-edge liquid handling robot, unites Microlab STAR flexibility with Microlab VANTAGE high-performance capabilities to boost efficiency. The Microlab STAR V offers speed, precision, and technology for automated liquid handling. Upgrade your lab—explore the Microlab STAR V!
Hamilton VANTAGE 2.0 is a cutting-edge liquid handling system with automated precision. Optimize workflows with the VANTAGE robot, all while boosting performance, safeguarding samples, and maximizing walk-away time. Discover the Hamilton VANTAGE liquid handler for your current & future needs.
Assay Ready Workstations
NGS STARlet
Compact and efficient, the entry-level NGS STARlet from Hamilton includes all the devices you need to automate sequencing library preparation of up to 24 samples at once with detailed precision, accuracy, and reliability.
Assay Ready Workstations
NGS STAR Line
Hamilton NGS STAR helps streamline next-generation sequencing in labs. Achieve full NGS automation for library prep, optimized for NGS assays and genome sequencing. Enhance efficiency, precision, and reliability in your workflows. Explore the Hamilton NGS STAR for seamless sequencing today!
Assay Ready Workstations
NGS STAR V
Automate NGS library preparation with the Hamilton NGS STAR V Assay Ready Workstation—optimized for demanding high-throughput genomic research.
Ambient, +4°C, -20°C Sample Storage
Verso Q-Series
Verso Q-Series automated freezer storage systems allow you to spend less time managing your samples. Verso Q20, Verso Q50, and Verso Q75 automated ambient to minus 20°C freezers feature large storage capacities in extremely compact footprints.
Ambient, +4°C, -20°C Sample Storage
Verso
Hamilton Verso is a modular compound management system for automated storage at temperatures from ambient to minus 20°C for high-throughput applications. This compound and sample storage system can easily be configured to meet your needs.
-80°C Sample Storage
SAM HD Pro
The SAM HD Pro lab freezer is your solution for high-density storage with a small footprint. This compact lab freezer is capable of ultra-low temperatures down to minus 80°C to ensure sample integrity. The SAM HD Pro sample freezer makes automated storage quick and easy.
-80°C Sample Storage
BiOS
BiOS is Hamilton’s premier minus 80°C freezer for medium- and large-capacity storage. This ultra-low temperature freezer maintains the integrity of your biological sample storage throughout automation. With customizable size and capacity, this minus 80°C freezer can be scaled to fit your storage needs.
Lab Syringes
Gastight Syringes
The solution for dispensing both gases and heterogeneous liquids. Hamilton Gastight syringes are equipped with a precision-machined PTFE plunger tip to create a leak-free seal.
Lab Syringes
Microliter Syringes
Hamilton Microliter syringes are ideal for dispensing homogeneous liquid samples not prone to glass bonding or precipitation. With a hand-fitted stainless steel plunger for frictionless movement and minimal wear, these syringes are designed to last.
Good to Know About Liquid Biopsy
Liquid biopsy is increasingly used in cancer treatment workflows, offering earlier and broader insights than traditional tissue sample collection. It is especially valuable for hard-to-biopsy cancers like small cell lung cancer or for tumors with low mutational burden, such as prostate cancers.
In many cases, ctDNA profiling identifies oncogenic variants such as the EGFR mutation, helping guide targeted therapies based on the type of cancer.
Useful Links
These articles provide comprehensive overviews of the advancements, applications, and challenges associated with liquid biopsies in cancer detection and monitoring.
| Ma, L., Guo, H., Zhao, Y., et al. (2024). Liquid biopsy in cancer: Current status, challenges and future prospects. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 9, 336. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-02021-w | Read Article |
| Connal, S., Cameron, J. M., Sala, A., Brennan, P. M., Palmer, D. S., Palmer, J. D., Perlow, H., & Baker, M. J. (2023). Liquid biopsies: The future of cancer early detection. Journal of Translational Medicine, 21(1), 118. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-023-03960-8 | Read Article |
| Parodi, B., Pistoia, V., Musso, M., et al. (2021). Basic principles of biobanking: From biological samples to precision medicine for patients. Journal of Translational Medicine, 19, Article 317. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-021-02980-x | Read Article |
| Davis, S., Loth, M., et al. (2019). Biobanking in health care: Evolution and future directions. Journal of Translational Medicine, 17, Article 172. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-019-1922-3 | Read Article |
| Biotech Primer. What is a liquid biopsy? [Video]. | Watch Video |
Hamilton Products in Action:
See how the MagEx STAR facilitates cfDNA extraction
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Solutions for Top 3 Challenges of the Liquid Biopsy Process
Manual plasma isolation and aliquoting can be tedious, error-prone, and inconsistent.
Solution: Hamilton automation enables precise plasma isolation and automated plasma aliquoting. These systems ensure robust, traceable preanalytical processing across clinical research, diagnosis, and cancer disease monitoring
Reliable plasma isolation and storage at controlled temperatures is key to preserving nucleic acids.
Solution: Automation allows for both standardization and sample scale-up, while catering for various levels
of regulatory compliance (sample traceability, sample integrity and sample safety).
Hamilton has developed several solutions to facilitate key processes including blood fractionation as well as primary tube capping, decapping and aliquoting. Ultimately, Hamilton Storage solutions can guarantee that isolated plasma can be safely stored, tracked and retrieved upon need.
Obtaining high-quality cfDNA to ensure early detection and continuous monitoring of cancer
Solution: Hamilton has developed automated workflows for various cfDNA isolation kit providers, ensuring efficient cfDNA extraction to obtain high-yield sample quality suitable for sensitive detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). In addition, ctDNA analysis by NGS is supported by automated library preparation kits.
What Is the Disadvantage of Using a Liquid Biopsy to Detect Cancer?
While liquid biopsy is minimally invasive and effective for early detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), it has limitations. In early-stage cancers, the amount of ctDNA in blood plasma can be too low for detection, reducing high sensitivity. This may lead to false negatives, especially when compared to traditional tissue biopsies, which analyze a direct tissue sample.
Robust lab automation in the pre-analytical workflow can facilitate a more accurate and sensitive diagnosis.
Liquid Biopsy Case Studies and Application Notes
Other Liquid Biopsy Resources
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
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