Automation of Synthetic Biology

Application of Hamilton Automation Solution in Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology is the bio industrial production of target biological products guided by engineering principles. This process involves the intersection of multiple disciplines. Synthetic biology involves complex and high-throughput screening and testing work, so economic time efficiency is highly valued. For example, a 10% difference in strain expression efficiency may be the key to commercial success or failure.

The entire process of synthetic biology usually includes early gene design and synthesis, cloning of expression vectors, screening of expression strains or cells, identification of expression products, screening of expression conditions, and subsequent step-by-step testing for large-scale production. Each link in this process has dedicated testing and analysis steps. Industrial or scientific research institutions often choose one or several steps for research and testing, in order to ultimately achieve efficient industrial production. Therefore, synthetic biology faces challenges such as high throughput, complex processes, high operational requirements (parallelism), and large data processing volumes. So, the use of functional islands, including automated pipetting workstations and integrated devices, is particularly important.

In gene synthesis experiments, it is often necessary to mix multiple primers with a large amount of micropipette and configure the reaction system, followed by fragment synthesis using a PCR instrument. The product can be purified and further assembled into longer gene fragments.

Hamilton pipetting workstationThe transfer performance of the product, as well as the powerful functions of Hamilton software for reading and analyzing input data, can help users automatically complete steps such as primer mixing, PCR system construction, and product purification. Currently, a large number of domestic and foreign users are using Hamilton automation equipment to complete these steps. In the experiment, a stacked suction head can be used to greatly increase the suction head capacity inside the table. In addition, multiple temperature control modules and carriers can be selected to meet the requirements of different types of refrigeration and containers. Even better, users can integrate multiple third-party devices or functional modules centered around workstations to achieve full process automation and long-term unmanned operation. Thus, full automation of complex experimental steps can be achieved.

In the process of plasmid cloning and assembly, there are steps including enzyme digestion, purification, ligation, and transformation. These steps include pipetting, system construction, enzyme reagent packaging, magnetic bead purification, and temperature controlled incubation. Thanks to the performance, technology, and decades of experience accumulated in the Hamilton pipetting workstation's pipetting channel, these steps can be completed accurately and safely. The Hamilton pipetting workstation can also achieve automation of conversion steps by selecting temperature controlled incubation modules, shaking modules, automatic PCR machines, and electroporation machines.

In addition, there are solutions for different types of plasmid transformation methods, and Hamilton also has multiple different solutions for the relatively complex coating process, such as scraping and spiral spraying methods.

In terms of cell culture, Hamilton's pipetting workstation can automate the steps required for cell culture, such as clone selection, centrifuge tube lid opening and closing, thus solving pain points for cell culture. With powerful cell culture management software, Hamilton can also integrate various cell culture equipment from multiple directions, such as incubators, medium supply modules, and tilt modules, to ensure the stability and high standards of cell culture.

After inducing product expression through high-throughput cultivation of the strain, it is necessary to detect the product to screen for high-yielding strains and production conditions that meet the requirements. Therefore, the product needs to be purified, enriched, and detected. Firstly, the high throughput fermentation products are subjected to solid-phase extraction or liquid-phase extraction using a Hamilton liquid-phase pretreatment workstation. After filtering the product, it enters the high-performance liquid chromatography system for detection. Subsequently, high-yield strains were selected and preserved. By using IMCS tips in conjunction with Hamilton pipettes, rapid enrichment and purification of products can be achieved, and the enriched products can be directly used to configure the next detection system, thereby detecting the activity of product antibodies or enzymes.