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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
10:12
A Robotic Platform for High-throughput Protoplast Isolation and Transformation
Published on: September 27, 2016
14.3K
Management of experimental workflows in robotic cultivation platforms
Lucas Kaspersetz1, Britta Englert1, Fabian Krah2
1Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Biotechnology, Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, Ackerstr. 76, 13355, Berlin, Germany.
SLAS Technology
|November 1, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a digital infrastructure for robotic cultivation platforms, enhancing experimental automation and data traceability using Apache Airflow. This system boosts research efficiency in biotechnology through improved workflow management.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Automation Engineering
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Robotic cultivation platforms accelerate biotechnology research.
- Automated workflow execution is crucial for high-throughput experiments.
- Integrating diverse laboratory equipment poses significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and deploy a digital infrastructure for robotic cultivation platforms.
- To enhance experimental automation, robustness, and data traceability.
- To demonstrate the integration of a Workflow Management System with heterogeneous laboratory devices.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a Workflow Management System using Directed Acyclic Graphs on Apache Airflow.
- Integration of liquid handling stations, parallel cultivation systems, and mobile robots.
- Assessment via parallel *E. coli* fed-batch cultivations with controlled glucose oscillations.
Main Results:
- Successful integration and automation of experimental workflows in a heterogeneous laboratory environment.
- Demonstrated increased automation, robustness, and traceability of experimental data.
- Feasibility validated through *E. coli* cultivations producing elastin-like proteins.
Conclusions:
- Workflow management systems significantly improve robotic cultivation platforms.
- The developed digital infrastructure enhances the reliability and efficiency of biotechnological research.
- This approach facilitates complex experimental designs and data management.
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