New laboratory automation system architectures for biotechnology applications

Development of high-throughput instrumentation for biotechnology laboratories has attracted tremendous attention recently as biotech discoveries can only be established by performing a very large number of experiments. Furthermore, biotech research is highlighted by the contribution of a sizeable community of small-to-medium size research labs.; The main thesis objective is to introduce high-throughput laboratory automation architectures that are suitable to such laboratories. This research provides a system level study on new concepts of high-throughput automation for both, upstream (sample preparation) and downstream (sample analysis) protocols in aforementioned laboratories.; Regarding the upstream stage, scalability, footprint and flexibility, the most important parameters of laboratory automation systems, were considered. Axiomatic Theory was adapted for the first time for laboratory automation concept development and evaluation. A new concept called "Tower-based Automation" that provides scalable automation with higher throughput-to-footprint ratio in comparison with conventional concepts of automation for a variety of upstream batch protocols was introduced. As a case study, a Tower-based Automation system for protein complex purification protocol was conceptually designed and evaluated. Hardware flexibility (system components adaptability to protocol variations) of automation systems was addressed through the introduction of three parametric flexibility measures: Functional, Structural, Throughput. We have introduced new quantitative measurements of these parameters within the realm of the Axiomatic Theory for flexibility evaluation of laboratory automation systems. Two new laboratory automation architectures were proposed: (i) Total Modular: a laboratory automation system with modular arms which improves Structural and Throughput flexibility measures of Robotic-based laboratory automation systems; and (ii) Distributed Operation: in this approach, liquid handling and transportation end-effectors are moving on transportation rails. This improves Functional flexibility measure of Track-based laboratory automation systems.; Regarding the downstream stage, high-throughput production of CD-based biochips was studied. The CD-based technology detects molecular properties of a sample deposited on a CD based on data reading error. The biochip is prepared through integration of molecule-attached granules to a CD's surface. We have introduced a new automation-friendly production method for CD-based biochip that is high-throughput and low-cost, and have performed proof-of-concept experiments. The method is based on granules being thermally melted and pressed onto the surface of CD's.