Hamilton Robotics and Coastal Genomics Introduce Scalable Automated NGS Library Preparation and Electrophoretic System for Significant Clinical Efficiencies and Savings

Automated Gel Electrophoresis Combined with Liquid Handling Workstations Vastly Improves Time and Efficiency for Sequencing and Associated Quality Control

Reno, Nev., and Burnaby, BC. (April 23, 2018) – Hamilton Robotics is proud to integrate the LightBench® with Ranger® Technology from Coastal Genomics onto the NIMBUS® Select and all Hamilton liquid handling platforms. Together, they automate DNA protocols and enable fully automated electrophoresis for size selection or quality control. The combination brings efficiencies and savings for clinical laboratories of any size or budget.

The system is especially useful for high-throughput target enrichment of cell free DNA (cfDNA) fragments and other NGS library constructs via gel-based size selection prior to sequencing. The patent-protected Ranger Technology enables the repeatable isolation of target DNA fragments over multiple samples. By isolating and recovering specific fractions with consistently high intrinsic recovery yields exceeding 70%, researchers and clinicians can reduce or eliminate the hassle and wasted expense of sequencing off-target fragments. Walkaway automation increases confidence in consistent, accurate results and eliminates the risk of operator variability and errors that may erroneously impact results. In size selection applications, up to 12 samples may be processed simultaneously, with extracted sample recovery in about 30 minutes.

Combined LightBench and Hamilton liquid handler systems are also ideal for convenient, automated microplate-based fragment length distribution analysis and fluorescent quantitation before and after size selection. The imaging mode documents sample progression during electrophoresis for electropherogram characterization, and also enables hands-free fluorescent sample quantification in one convenient unit. Up to 384 analyses may be completed within one hour.

LightBench integrated with a Hamilton liquid handler is available from Hamilton Robotics, and the standalone version of LightBench is available through Coastal Genomics for those who do not require automation.

Learn more about Automated Solutions for Genomic Research.