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Human Practices

Feasability

Platform

State of the art

Figure 1 - «RapidHit» platform from Hudson Robotics

As of now, there are similar options out on the market for computerized robotic platforms performing laboratory based operations. Some manufacturers offer mainstream platforms such as the «RapidHit» from Hudson Robotics, which is shown in figure 1. This platform is also modular, gives the opportunity to have a visual reference of the process via video camera and has an automated restocking of micro plates feature. However, the robot is not equipped with a multiple tool holding support that allows execution of different manipulations within the same routine. A platform of this kind is detailed at around 50000$, which makes it less likely affordable by smaller laboratories.

Figure 2 - «epMotion 5075v» from Eppendorf

Also available is the «EpMotion 5075v», depicted in figure 2, distributed by Eppendorf. This platform allows for tool interchangeability to be used within a sequence with a tool identifying chip system designed to secure the right choice of tools. It is also equipped with a gripper to move around the different apparatus along the work area. Despite those assets, the platform is dependant regarding the supplying of micro plates or pipette tips, thus needing the presence of human interaction. Additionally, this platform is sold at a considerable 81000$, making it even less affordable for smaller stature laboratories.

Figure 3 - OpenTrons OT.One platform

The platform built by our team was developed in collaboration with the project OpenTrons, originating from Genspace, a community biolab located in Brooklyn. The latter provided their beta platform to work with and customize it to be modular, while the OpenTrons folks work on their other release, the OT.One, shown in figure 3. The beta platform is now customized with a gripper capable of maneuvering in two planes of movement, able of carrying around micro plates and assures the restocking of the micro plates, as well as a centrifuge completely autonomous with built-in safety devices. The startup platform from OpenTrons is detailed at 2000$. With the modularity developed on this platform, is it significantly cheaper and affordable to a wider potential public.

Specifications

Some specifications were taken in consideration during the designing process of the robotic platform. While respecting those specifications, the thought process behind the design kept as main focus to deliver a customizable platform, low cost but still effective. The principal specifications were:

• Movements of the robotic platform must have a 1 mm precision due to the narrowness of the micro plates’ spacing between wells
• Must be able to use different kinds of pipette tools at the same time and change tools with ease.
• Gripper must be precise enough, without putting excessive force, to grab as small as 1.5 mL tubes and as large as 96-well plates. It also needs to have a range of opening from 0 mm to 85 mm
• Centrifuge needs to rotate at a speed capable of exerting a minimum gravitational force of 6000G and must be equipped with security devices such as detection of abnormal vibration or securing the lid after closing
• Complete platform must be fully open-hardware and detailed at no more than 10000$

Specifications achieved

Some specifications have already been achieved (the others will be achieved by December 2015):

• Movements of the robotic platform must have a 1 mm precision
• Complete platform must be fully open-hardware and detailed at no more than 10000$

Approximate cost by parts

Modules

State of the art

Actually, there are different robots available on the market that are capable of performing the tasks and the functions that are to be implemented by our modules. However, most of them are only capable of doing one specific task and this, at a significantly higher cost than what is desired for our project. As an example, Table 1 presents different options available on the market to regulate the temperature of a 96-well plate. It is to be noted that these options only control the temperature cycles, which represents only one of the capabilities implemented by our modules.

Table 1: Comparative Table of Temperature Cycling Module

1. OpenPCR cannot withstand a 96-well plate, but is able to cycle 1.5mL tubes.
2. ThermosStat plus is designed to accommodate either 24 x 1.5/2.0mL tubes or 8 x 50mL tubes or 1 x 96-well plate.

Specifications

The modules to implement are described as follows:

The first module, MC96:

• Suitable for a 96-well plate (common sized plate for biological manipulations).
• Control and maintain temperature cycling between 0 to 80°C±1.5°C.
• Achieve a cooling and heating ramp of 0.5 to 1°C/s.
• Apply an electromagnetic field on demand.
• Less than 1000$.

The second module, MC1.5:

• Suitable for a test tube of 1.5mL.
• Capable of independent control for each unit of three tubes.
• Control and maintain temperature cycling between 0 to 80°±1.5°C.
• Achieve a cooling and heating ramp 0.5 to 1°C/s.
• Apply an electromagnetic field on demand.
• Less than 1000$.

The third module, TAC:

• Suitable for a glass tube having a diameter of 25mm, capacity of 50mL.
• Independent control for each tube.
• Control and maintain temperature cycling between 0 to 37°±1.5°C.
• Achieve a heating ramp of 0.08°C/s.
• Achieve a cooling ramp of 0.1°C/s above room's temperature.
• Achieve a cooling ramp of 0.025°C/s below room's temperature.
• Apply a magnetic stirring to the liquid (Mixing of bacterial cultures).
• Calculate the optical density of the liquid (Transmittance monitoring).
• Less than 1000$.

All of the modules must respect dimensions that are multiples of a 96-well plate. These dimensions are imposed so that our modules respect the template established by the OpenTrons team for their OT.One robotic platform. It is also important to note that this format is commonly used in laboratories and is a standard in biology. According to this, the MC96 module was designed to fit into the size of one plate and it will have everything needed to control a single 96-well plate. The MC1.5 module will include four different blocks in the space of one 96-well plate, each containing three 1.5mL tubes with the electronics and the physical supports required for each block. Finally, the TAC module will include two glass tubes of 25mm and all the electronics and supports required to control them individually. Each of our modules is then shorter and thinner than the size of a single 96-well plate.

Specifications achieved

Some specifications have already been achieved (the others will be achieved by December 2015):

The third module, TAC:

• Suitable for a glass tube having a diameter of 25mm, capacity of 50mL.
• Independent control for each tube.
• Control and maintain temperature cycling between 0 to 37°±1.5°C.
• Achieve a heating ramp of 0.08°C/s.
• Achieve a cooling ramp of 0.1°C/s above room's temperature.
• Achieve a cooling ramp of 0.025°C/s below room's temperature.
• Apply a magnetic stirring to the liquid (Mixing of bacterial cultures).
• Calculate the optical density of the liquid (Transmittance monitoring).
• Less than 1000$.

Approximate cost by parts

MC96

MC1.5

TAC

Employment assessment

According to a report of the Markets and Markets consulting firm, the Lab Automation Market currently worth 3.5 billion and is expected to reach 5 billion dollars by 2020. This report also states that the modular automation segment is the larger part of the market due to the affordable cost and reduced space needed. So, by developing a modular platform with one the lowest cost and highest flexibility in the market, it is possible to take a significant part of this market, given the right amount of visibility. The fact that the platform is open-source will increase its spreading through small laboratories around the world.

So, given this background, what jobs are likely to be threatened? The most obvious is the exhausting job of interns in biological laboratories, who must do repetitive liquid handling procedure. Instead, they will have more time on elaborating theirs theories and analyzing theirs data.

What jobs are likely to be created or stimulated? Firstly, numerous jobs could be created in the companies that provide pieces for the platform and modules. Secondly, the low-cost of our platform means that more laboratories will be able to increase their productivity. Thus, allowing these laboratories to “grow” and increased their staff.