MOLD: Modular layout designer for Echo liquid handlers

The high-throughput screening (HTS) technologies have enabled unprecedented scalability and efficiency in drug discovery, driving advancements in acoustic liquid handling systems like the Echo series. These systems allow contactless nanoliter transfers and have become pivotal in modern laboratories for reducing reagent consumption, minimizing cross-contamination, and simplifying dose-response experiments. Despite these advancements, a persistent challenge in HTS lies in the lack of accessible, open-source tools, that enable easy transfer layout generation. To address this, we present MOLD, a novel KNIME-based application that bridges the gap between experimental design and execution by customizable experimental plate layout generation. MOLD integrates seamlessly with Echo systems, calculating custom dilution series and optimizing transfer volumes while ensuring compatibility with high-throughput pipelines. With its open-source foundation, intuitive interface, and robust functionality, MOLD can be used in academic or industrial laboratories as a powerful tool to enhance reproducibility, scalability, and time efficiency in high-throughput experiments.