Technology Accelerates Cell-Based ELISA Procedures While Reducing Error Risk

New technology allows laboratories to automate fully cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedures, thereby reducing the risk of human error, contamination, and time spent on tedious manual procedures.

The handling of cells in automated systems requires smooth and reliable operation and specialized equipment. Agilent Automation Solutions (Santa Clara, CA, USA) designed the BioCel system to dispense cells into microplates and perform a series of alternating incubations and reagent additions. Automated control of intermediate plate batches, cell medium removal, and absorbance detection also formed part of the process.

The BioCel system is ideally suited to this complex assay format due to its powerful dynamic scheduling software, flexible liquid-handling options, and the ability to integrate simply third-party instruments. Integrating an Agilent vertical pipetting station, multiple labware stackers, plate washer, CO2 incubator, and microplate absorbance reader, the BioCel system is shown to provide unattended automation of approximately 500 plates per run in a three-day experiment. Using the described configuration, cells can be plated and stored at a rate of one minute per plate.

The Agilent BioCel system automates any microplate-based protocol providing maximum walk-away time and throughput, all in the most compact design. With modular cells, options for various enclosures, and environmental control, BioCel systems can be customized to the user's individual needs. Operated by Agilent VWorks software, a flexible and efficient scheduling software, BioCel systems deliver a very long walk-away time and throughput.

From stand-alone units to fully integrated systems, Agilent Automation Solutions teams key sample preparation and creative walk-away automation approaches with personalized customer service to provide complete solutions for the laboratory. Agilent designs and manufactures high-performance equipment for processes for pharmaceutical, biotech, and genomic research.

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