As a species, humans are always looking for ways to evolve.
We thrive off of growth, bettering our minds as a race. This shows itself not least through our progress in science.
Automation is not an entirely new concept, but as with a lot of tech empowered processes, it is also being rapidly adapted across many spheres. COVID-19 accelerated this too, as “organizations have had to re-envision traditional processes for the virtual realm.”
But how is automation accelerating science?
What is lab automation?
Lab automation streamlines the most repetitive tasks traditionally performed manually. Through digital technology, automation works to complete these tasks, repeatedly and concisely.
Whether an aliquoting machine, sample testing or managing entire workflows, automation is helping to transform the lives of scientists and other organisations – replacing mundane manual tasks and helping to improve quality throughout.
It’s important to note that there are a variety of automation technologies, so although we are speaking in an overarching way about automation, each technology offers slightly different benefits and fulfils different use cases.
Examples of the different automated laboratory tools include:
- Automated imaging programmes
- Automated liquid handling systems
- Automated workstations
Which lab processes can you automate?
There are thousands of lab processes that can be automated today. It’s a broad question, but there are some processes that are prime for automation. These include, but aren’t limited to:
- Liquid biopses
- Safety testing
- Forensic analysis
- CRISPR workflows
- Manipulating cell cultures
- Biobanking
- Precision medicine
- Colony counting
Automation can streamline any traditionally repetitive task occurring in a lab especially ones prone to human error. These are empowered by sophisticated software, such as those with AI, ML, or laboratory robotics.
The advantages of lab automation
To better understand how lab automation can accelerate science, we can identify some of the advantages.
Reduced human error
Whenever a task has to be performed manually, there is always the possibility for human error to occur. But luckily, we now have machines to do some of the stuff we’re not always so great at, so we can focus on the stuff we are good at.
Automation works to improve the accuracy of data evaluation from machine learning algorithms. This is much more accurate than a human’s interpretation.
With less time spent on manual tasks, and remediating any errors that could have occurred as a result of this, overall efficiency can be improved.
Increased reproducibility
Reproducibility is an ongoing challenge for scientific research and discovery. Whether reproducing your own experiment or replicating someone else’s, managing to do this consistently and accurately is not an easy feat.
Enter automation tools. Lab automation helps with greater data capture, the use of a wider range of controls, better quality results, and reduces the variability usually found in human processes.
Higher efficiency
If there’s ever a way to be more efficient, a scientist will take it. In such a complex and sometimes fiddly work environment, making lab processes more efficient is a real benefit.
Automated processes can produce higher outputs than manual processes and reduce turnaround time. Laboratory workflow automation enables processes to continue, even after the scientist goes home, and it can help to make certain applications, such as high-throughput screening, more time and cost effective.
Enhanced traceability
The life sciences and clinical laboratories inherently have issues with traceability. The end-to-end process usually disperses content across various business systems and sources, which can make it difficult to gain complete visibility over manual processes.
Modern automation systems enable accurate documentation and a more reliable translation of findings and test results to their intended recipient. Automation instruments empower the all-important aspect of data provenance, effectively describing the origins of data.
Reduces safety risk
Some automation systems can work to improve safety in a lab environment.
This can be through reducing the need for the scientist to go into the lab, therefore overall reducing risk, through automating protocols that – when typically done by humans – can be dangerous, such as handling toxic substances, or by reducing repetitive strain.
How can automation reduce repetitive strain? Through taking care of the repetitive manual tasks that a scientist would usually have to carry out, such as pipetting, automated equipment can help keep this kind of injury at bay.
Injury doesn’t just cause issues for the individual, but can have repercussions on the organisation that the scientist works for too. So, naturally, reducing these is better for everyone involved.
Accelerating science through automation
Harnessing the above benefits, automation holds great power to speed up existing laboratory processes. Saving time, reducing human error and any rectifications that come with that, making processes more efficient, and reducing the need for manual tasks, automation is helping scientists get to where they want to be, quicker.
Automation tools like Lumi offers scientists an extra pair of eyes, ears, and a brain in the lab, supporting you on the workbench and giving you peace of mind when you’re away.
Lumi is an intelligent assistant with a computer vision-based monitoring system. As an integrated automation tool, Lumi has a range of smart alerts, so you never miss a moment, and can be incorporated into any lab.
The LabEye and partnering platform can give scientists and organisations all the above benefits and more, including easier process sharing and validation, enhanced understanding of reactions, and remote collaboration.
Want to know more about Lumi for accelerating science? Find out more about Lumi.