Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, a leader in laboratory automation, is collaborating with Hombrechtikon Systems Engineering•AG (HSE•AG), a Swiss company specializing in customized automation solutions for life sciences. This partnership focuses on modernizing and miniaturizing traditional methods of nucleic acid quantification by leveraging an automation-first approach that integrates high-throughput liquid handling into molecular biology workflows. By refining essential processes—from normalization to yield characterization—this collaboration addresses workflow inefficiencies and promotes real-time, data-driven decision-making on a unified platform. The automated pipetting feature is seamlessly incorporated as a functional part of the system, enhancing efficiency and precision at scale.

The integration of the HSE eviDense UV Photometer with Biomek i-Series automated workstations from Beckman Coulter allows for real-time absorbance measurements directly in the liquid handling process. This innovation provides faster, more efficient results while minimizing the need for manual intervention. The method accurately determines nucleic acid concentration and purity using 260/280 and 260/230 nanometer ratios, and the non-destructive analysis permits immediate recovery or advancement of valuable sample volumes according to user requirements. Designed for easy integration, the instrument fits smoothly into existing workflows and protocols, employing established methods to automate and close existing gaps in processes.

“Time is the most critical facet in the laboratory today, and we’re always examining workflows to see how we can help laboratories achieve results faster with greater accuracy,” remarked Ewan Grant, Senior Director of the Biotech Business Unit at Beckman Coulter Life Sciences. “This collaboration is a major step forward in advancing nucleic acid quantification. By enabling this workflow to be executed through a liquid handler, we’re uniquely able to help laboratories maximize walk-away time for both extraction and NGS library preparation, empowering researchers to get the answers they seek faster.”

The partnership also enhances the fluorometric analysis of nucleic acid quantification, enabling results for 96 samples in as little as 20 minutes. By incorporating the HSE eviFluor Duo microcuvette-based fluorometer on the Biomek i-Series Automated Workstation, laboratories gain a fully automated, end-to-end sample preparation solution. This system facilitates real-time data generation for immediate, decision-based pipetting, significantly increasing speed and precision while eliminating manual, error-prone steps.

“The collaboration between Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and HSE marks a significant advancement in lab automation,” stated Konstantin Lutze, Chief Technology Officer at HSE. “With the integration of the eviDense UV Photometer and the eviFluor Duo Fluorometer into the Biomek i5 and i7 workstations, both absorbance and fluorescence measurements are performed fully automatically within the liquid handling workflow. This enables highly efficient nucleic acid quantification while enhancing data integrity and measurement consistency. By eliminating manual interactions, the risk of user-induced errors is minimized. Together, we support laboratories in achieving greater efficiency, reliability, and scalability through fully integrated, automated workflows.”

These groundbreaking innovations are set to empower research laboratories to expedite drug discovery, reduce manual workloads, and enhance data reliability across genomic workflows, bringing researchers closer to the critical answers they seek.

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