The possibility of growing cells in vitro has fundamentally shaped how we perform research. Scientists can now examine the effects of medications, toxins, and other substances on cells before selecting candidates for animal studies.
Several cell culture types and cell-based systems are currently used for cell-based assays; from traditional 2-dimensional (2D) monolayers to scaffold-based 3D culture (e.g. organoids) and, more recently, Organs-On-A-chip. The maintenance and handling of these cell cultures require significant expertise and time. Automated liquid handling systems can ensure the standardization of the entire process by controlling critical aspects such as the speed of aspiration and dispensing, the position of the tip within the well, the tilting of the plates during pipetting steps, the temperature of reagents on-deck, and the sterility of the working area. Furthermore, automated liquid handling systems can significantly increase throughput via 96 and 384 multi-probe heads, and integrate third-party devices to perform cell imaging.
Chapters included in this eBook:
