The QIAGEN Genomic Services laboratory in Hilden, Germany, provides sample-to-insight molecular testing solutions as part of QIAGEN’s global support for scientists in the life sciences and diagnostics sectors. Its ‘fee-for-service’ offering includes everything from initial sample handling and preparation through to detailed analytical results, using a wide range of extraction kits and analytical technologies to suit the needs of various customer projects.

Performing high throughput testing while maintaining the ability to adapt to individual project requirements requires flexible workflow solutions, as Dr David Löper, Lab Manager at QIAGEN Genomic Services, explained: “We are constantly adapting our testing workflows to accommodate different sample types and cater for diverse customer needs. This prompted us to look for versatile liquid handling solutions that would reduce our manual workload and enhance lab efficiency. We initially wanted a compact and easy-to-use device with a 96 channel pipetting head that would integrate seamlessly with our existing labware and sample preparation workflows. We introduced INTEGRA’s VIAFLO 96 handheld electronic pipette – as well as VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipettes for sample reformatting – almost 10 years ago, helping to speed up our repetitive sample preparation steps and increase testing capacity. We also acquired 2 ASSIST PLUS pipetting robots during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide workflow automation and allow us to drastically scale up our PCR testing capabilities for employee screening purposes.”

During the internal COVID-19 screening workflows, the lab received primary biological samples from its employees in tube formats. These were prepared for PCR semi-automatically using a 4 channel VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipette mounted on an ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot, which transferred samples from tubes into 96 well plates. Setting up a full plate took around 15 minutes. Preparation and amplification steps for PCR were then set up in 384 well plates in a nearly fully automated process on the ASSIST PLUS using an 8 channel VOYAGER pipette.

David explained the benefits of this approach over the lab’s previous sample preparation methods: “Setting up PCR plates with the ASSIST PLUS is far faster and more straightforward than our previous method, significantly improving our workflow. We have increasingly used the ASSIST PLUS and VOYAGER to transfer samples from individual tubes into 96 well plates, whether transferring the entire sample or just the supernatant after an initial treatment, ensuring greater reproducibility across our molecular testing protocols.”

This approach ultimately improves the lab’s workflow and throughput, as David described: “We typically take on projects involving a few hundred to a few thousand samples, but some projects require us to prepare up to 11,000 samples for molecular analysis in parallel. Thanks to the INTEGRA instruments and software, the entire process is easy to manage. For example, we routinely use a VIAFLO 96 pipette in hands-free automatic mode for nucleic acid extraction. This means we just have to place the plates on the device, swap out buffers or sample plates, and press a button – it works seamlessly. One of the biggest advantages of the VIAFLO 96 is being able to program complex mixing steps for 96 samples simultaneously, which would otherwise be tedious and error prone to perform purely by hand. Another benefit of the small, standalone VIAFLO 96 is that, if clogging occurs – which is common with certain sample types – someone can quickly identify and resolve the issue. This wouldn't be possible on large, stationary automation platforms without disrupting the rest of the workflow.”

“We chose to partner with INTEGRA because the VIAFLO 96 pipettes allow both manual and automatic liquid handling modes for workflow flexibility and, more recently, we saw the potential of using the ASSIST PLUS to fully automate our repetitive tasks for more reproducibility. The devices are very straightforward to use and program using the VIALINK or VIALAB software, and fit perfectly into our lab space,” David continued. “Overall, the INTEGRA products have significantly enhanced our productivity and consistency, which is crucial for managing high throughput genomics workflows and speeding up project completion for our customers. I’ve always appreciated the great communication between INTEGRA and the lab, and the company’s technical support is fantastic; whenever I need assistance, a specialist stops by to help us troubleshoot or adjust our workflows, as well as show us what is new on the market. INTEGRA’s products are always so interesting, and I am happy to recommend them to colleagues because they fill a unique niche.”