Application
Compound Handling in Drug Discovery
Compound handling in drug discovery refers to the physical and technical steps required to store, prepare, and distribute chemical or biological compounds used in screening and research. It ensures that compounds maintain their integrity, purity, and stability while being processed for high throughput screening (HTS), hit validation, and lead optimization.
Compound Handling vs. Compound Management
Compound handling supports the broader compound management system. It focuses on physical operations such as weighing, dispensing, and transferring compounds. Compound management, by contrast, includes inventory tracking, quality control, and regulatory compliance.
While compound handling often relies on robotic automation and integrated liquid handling tools, compound management uses software like Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to track inventory, usage history, and screening results. Together, they ensure efficient lab workflows, long-term compound storage, and high-quality outcomes in drug discovery.
How Hamilton Supports Your Compound Handling Workflow
Hamilton offers various solutions to fully automate compound handling. Our liquid handlers can be equipped with various on-deck modules and peripheral devices to automate steps such as:
- Solid powder weighing and dilution
- Vial capping and decapping
- Aliquoting and low-volume dispensing
- Plate storage and plate sealing
These steps can be integrated with our automated storage management systems, which can store, reformat, and retrieve compounds in a wide range of labware types, from ambient temperature to -80° C. This ensures safe handling of even hazardous drugs with full traceability.
Explore our Compound Handling 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.
Automated workstation
BIOSPOT® Workstation
Specializes in microplate applications, achieving unparalleled accuracy in dispensing nanoliter volumes or compound screening and assay miniaturization.
Capping & Decapping
LabElite DeCapper
The LabElite DeCapper by Hamilton automates tube capping and decapping, improving efficiency and sample integrity.
Capping & Decapping
LabElite Handheld DeCapper
The LabElite Handheld DeCapper is a semi-automated device designed for efficient capping and decapping of tubes in 48- and 96-format racks.
Barcode Reading
LabElite I.D. Reader
The LabElite I.D. Reader by Hamilton automates barcode scanning for 2D-labeled tubes.
Capping & Decapping
LabElite DeCapper SL
The LabElite DeCapper SL by Hamilton automates tube capping and decapping for 24-, 48-, and 96-format racks.
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.
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.
Gastight Syringes
1000 Series Gastight Syringes
The 1000 series syringes are a mid-volume Gastight syringe. This series of syringes is ideal for dispensing volumes from 1 mL up to 100 mL. A variety of different terminations and needle options are available in this series.
Syringe Applications
Syringes for Clinical Instrumentation
Syringes are a common replacement part for today's clinical instrumentation. Trust Hamilton's superior quality to keep your equipment running.
Good to Know About Compound Handling
This section provides a selection of additional resources related to the application described on this page. It includes helpful articles, videos, and blogs that offer deeper insights into the topic.
Useful Links
External resources not written by Hamilton but valuable for understanding the topic, such as industry guidelines, explanatory videos, or relevant tools.
| PubChem: a public repository for chemical structures and their biological properties | Visit Website |
Hamilton Products in Action:
A collection of videos showcasing Hamilton products in use, providing practical insights into their functionality and benefits.
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Solutions for Top 3 Challenges of the Compound Handling Process
Challenge: The physical and software integration of multiple systems
Solution: Hamilton has extensive experience integrating third-party devices and developing complex automated workflows.
- Physical integration: our liquid handling systems are equipped with grippers that can reach peripheral devices and our sample management systems have input/output modules that are integration-friendly. For large integrations, we often use a robotic arm.
- Software integration: VENUS, Hamilton automated liquid handling software, can directly communicate with INSTINCT S, Hamilton automated storage management software. Moreover, customized drivers can integrate and operate all third-party devices on VENUS. We have also developed a communication strategy for easily integrating our liquid handlers into other complex systems, together with integrator companies.
Challenge: Diversity of labware types
Solution: Hamilton systems work with most labware in SBS format. Hamilton liquid handlers can be equipped with customized decapper channels or integrated with various capping/decapping devices. Moreover, Hamilton storage systems can handle a wide range of labware types, including tubes, vials, and plates, thanks to the versatility of the internal tube picker.
Challenge: High throughput required
Solution: Compound handling often involves managing a very large number of samples simultaneously. Hamilton automated liquid handlers can be equipped with 96 or 384 Multi-Probe heads to increase throughput significantly. Moreover, our MagPip channels allow fast dispensing on the fly (jet dispensing) and can dispense down to 350 nl. Likewise, our storage management systems can process hundreds of tubes or vials per hour, depending on the labware format and the configuration of the system (modular concept).
What Is Automated Compound Tracking?
Automated compound tracking uses software and integrated systems to monitor, manage, and trace chemical and biological compounds throughout the drug discovery workflow. It ensures accurate inventory management, prevents loss or duplication, and enhances efficiency in high-throughput screening (HTS) and compound handling.
Key Components of Automated Compound Tracking:
Barcoding & Labeling: Each compound (solid or in solution) is labeled with a barcode for automated identification and tracking.
Inventory Management Systems: Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or compound management software track compound location, usage history, storage conditions, and expiration dates to ensure inventory accuracy and availability.
Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems: Robotic platforms, such as Hamilton automated sample management systems, retrieve and store compounds under controlled conditions (+4° C, -20° C, -80° C) while ensuring full sample traceability.
Integration with Liquid Handling & Screening Systems: Automated liquid handling systems, such as Hamilton automated liquid handlers, enable precise pipetting and ensure compounds are transferred accurately and with full traceability from source vials to assay plates for reliable screening workflows.
Audit Trails & Compliance: All systems involved in compound handling provide full traceability to comply with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other regulatory standards. Detailed logs document who accessed, modified, or transferred each compound, ensuring data integrity and compliance.
Compound Handling Case Studies and Application Notes
Compound Handling Case Studies and Application Notes
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.
Related Industries
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