As liquid handling technology continues to advance and becomes more miniaturised, new methodologies are needed to verify instrument and assay performance. Industry analysts have claimed that reducing well failure by two percentage points can be valued at more than $1 million in some high throughput testing laboratories.
"We recognise the rapidly increasing number of laboratories working with alternative test solutions and with higher density 384-well plates, characterised by minute volumes," said Kirby Pilcher, president of ARTEL.
The MVS ADVANCED enhances data integrity and allows laboratories to optimise automated liquid handling equipment with up to 384 channels.
This precision measurement system can be used bench-top to provide accurate and precise volumetric measurements in minutes, strengthening confidence in laboratory data.
The system relies on the company's patented Ratiometric Photometry, which uses two specially formulated reagents that are each measured and compared to combat accuracy and precision problems typical at the minute liquid volumes used in today's life science laboratories.
Ratiometric Photometry is a method used to measure light absorption to verify volume. Accurate and precise, even at low volumes, this technology provides laboratories with an easy-to-use process to validate assay results improving laboratory efficiency.
This translates into greater data confidence, more reliable regulatory compliance, and cost reductions due to elimination of repeated assays and remedial action.
The technology can optimise automated liquid handling instrumentation with test solutions with the same viscosity as solutions used in actual assays.
The system can also be used with standard microtiter plates and is easily integrated with existing automated liquid handlers. Frequent checks are possible because the system's verification process is completed in less than ten minutes.
Laboratories often assume that their liquid handling instruments, from pipettes to automated liquid handlers, are operating within specifications. However, this is a dangerous assumption as data integrity for applications from drug discovery to molecular diagnostics relies on accurate liquid delivery,
These risks and costs are compounded by several trends in today's life sciences laboratories, such as the growing use of valuable reagents at low volumes and an increasingly strict regulatory environment.
The need for liquid delivery quality assurance is more critical than ever, with laboratories requring a more accurate, precise and convenient methodology to verify the performance of liquid handling instrumentation.