MARS: bringing the automation of small-molecule bioanalytical sample preparations to a new frontier.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in automating small-molecule bioanalytical sample preparations specifically using the Hamilton MicroLab(®) STAR liquid-handling platform. In the most extensive work reported thus far, multiple small-molecule sample preparation assay types (protein precipitation extraction, SPE and liquid-liquid extraction) have been integrated into a suite that is composed of graphical user interfaces and Hamilton scripts. Using that suite, bioanalytical scientists have been able to automate various sample preparation methods to a great extent. However, there are still areas that could benefit from further automation, specifically, the full integration of analytical standard and QC sample preparation with study sample extraction in one continuous run, real-time 2D barcode scanning on the Hamilton deck and direct Laboratory Information Management System database connectivity.


RESULTS
We developed a new small-molecule sample-preparation automation system that improves in all of the aforementioned areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The improved system presented herein further streamlines the bioanalytical workflow, simplifies batch run design, reduces analyst intervention and eliminates sample-handling error.
Biogen Idec, 14 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. ming.li@biogenidec.com
Ming
M
Li
Judy
J
Chou
Jing
J
Jing
Hui
H
Xu
Aldo
A
Costa
Robin
R
Caputo
Rajesh
R
Mikkilineni
Shane
S
Flannelly-King
Ellen
E
Rohde
Lawrence
L
Gan
Lewis
L
Klunk
Liyu
L
Yang
D001331:Automation; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D059625:Liquid-Liquid Extraction / Q000592:standards; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011786:Quality Control; D012984:Software; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction / Q000592:standards
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011506:Proteins