title: Semi-automation of the polymerase chain reaction for laboratory confirmation of meningococcal disease.
abstract: Demand for accurate high-throughput detection and characterisation of medically important bacteria has increased dramatically within research and clinical laboratories. Liquid-handling robots have been developed to achieve high levels of accuracy and reproducibility. Assay automation can play a key role in the modern diagnostic laboratory and the data presented here shows that automated PCR is comparable with manual methods. Importantly, automation is preferred when high-quality results cannot be guaranteed using manual methods. This is particularly important when results are required quickly for public health management.
authors.affiliation: Scottish Meningococcus and Pneumococcus Reference Laboratory, House on the Hill, Stobhill Hospital, North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust, Glasgow G21 3UW, UK.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Diggle
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial