Automated PCR
and other Molecular Biology Workflows

What is PCR automation?

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a core technique used in every molecular biology laboratory. However, with higher numbers of samples per day or week, it can become very laborious and time consuming. Implementing PCR automation can help overcome those hurdles. Automated PCR can range from using only a liquid handling device (to setup the PCR reaction and load into the plate) to setups where a liquid handler is integrated with an automated thermal cycler by a robotic arm. 

In fully automated PCR, PCR reactions are prepared by a liquid handler, then the plate is moved by a robotic arm to an automated plate sealer, and then to an automated thermal cycler. Once the PCR plate is placed in the thermal cycler, the instrument starts the preselected protocol automatically. With quantitative PCR (qPCR), it is even possible to extend the automated workflow to analysis and reporting.

Automation of the molecular biology lab

PCR is one of several molecular biology workflows that can be successfully automated. Upstream, amplifiable nucleic acid may need to be generated via nucleic acid extraction, which can be automated via a liquid handling device with proper accessories. 

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) sample preparation is an important application for PCR automation. A fully automated setup can handle the entire NGS sample preparation protocol: nucleic acid extraction, library amplification, sample cleanup and size selection, library quantification, normalization and pooling. Such a setup consists of different liquid handling devices handling sample extraction, cleanup and pooling, to avoid cross contamination. The liquid handlers as well as automated endpoint and quantitative thermal cyclers can all be interconnected by robotic arms.

Why automate PCR and molecular biology processes?

There are many benefits to automating commonly used molecular biology techniques. The main reasons that drive laboratories to automate their (q)PCR and other molecular biology workflows include:

• Increase sample capacity. Labs can process more samples per day with automated PCR reaction setup while saving a lot of hands-on time. Additionally, by automating PCR plate loading into an automated thermal cycler, runs can be completed overnight.
• Improve data quality. Automated pipetting for PCR setup can increase accuracy, well-to-well precision, and plate-to-plate precision. User fatigue is a cause of errors and re-work, and the risk increases with more samples per plate and day.
• Reduce reagent cost per well. Modern automated liquid handling systems can deliver microliter volumes with great accuracy and precision, allowing miniaturization of PCR reactions to make most efficient use of reagents.
• Ease data tracking. Using barcoded PCR plates in the workflow supports sample tracking through plate reformatting or other processes and helps document reagent lots added to reaction plates. Automated qPCR instruments can scan the plate barcode and link the results to each plate, making data easier to find, manage, and document.

Explore the ways you can automate PCR and other molecular biology workflows