US-based medical device company Becton, Dickinson, and Company (BD) has launched high-throughput, robotics-compatible reagent kits for large-scale, single-cell discovery studies.
BD said the first in a series of high-throughput reagent kits are designed to bring consistency and enhance efficiency to the large-scale analysis of genetic material.
The collaboration between BD and Hamilton created an automated solution that standardises traditionally manual processes and speeds the generation of material for genetic sequencing.
The solution comprises the BD OMICS-One XT WTA Assay and the Hamilton Microlab NGS STAR automated liquid-handling platform.
NGS STAR is already installed in several laboratories and facilities worldwide, allowing more researchers can easily integrate the new BD assay into existing workflows.
BD Biosciences worldwide president Steve Conly said: “By automating the complex library preparation process, researchers can scale their sample throughput and expect more consistent results, minimising the variability introduced by manual procedures.
“This standardisation is crucial for the reproducibility of experiments, which is a cornerstone of scientific research.
“The integration of Hamilton’s robotics with BD’s robotics-ready reagent kits can streamline workflows, reduce the potential for human error, and accelerate the pace of discovery in critical areas such as oncology and immunology.”
In single-cell discovery studies involving genetic material, constructing preparatory material, also known as ‘DNA libraries,’ is an important early step.
Historically, the preparations have been labour-intensive and time-consuming processes.
They involve several manual steps that often lead to variability of results, compromised data quality, limited throughput, high cost and long turnaround times.
The BD OMICS-One XT Library Preparation Reagent Kits and Hamilton Microlab NGS STAR automated liquid handling platform and applications are commercialised worldwide.
Hamilton is commercialising the robotics platform, and BD is selling the reagent kits in some regions, through its e-commerce portal.
Hamilton CEO Matt Hamilton said: “Hamilton’s advanced automated solutions streamline scientific workflows, maximising the potential of single-cell multi-omics research.
“Our partnership with BD furthers our mission to provide innovative technologies that accelerate groundbreaking discoveries in science and medicine.”
Recently, BD has agreed to resolve most of its existing hernia litigation, including cases in Rhode Island consolidated litigation and the federal multidistrict litigation in Ohio.
