Revolutionizing the lab: A spotlight on the latest innovations and breakthroughs from SLAS 2023
Discover the game-changing advancements and key discussions driving lab automation forward
25 May 2023
The recent international conference and exhibition hosted by the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) in San Diego, from February 25 to March 1, 2023, provided an invaluable opportunity for scientists worldwide to gather and reflect on the latest advancements in the field. The innovative new technologies showcased at this event will undoubtedly help shape the future of laboratory automation and screening and will form the backbone of future scientific breakthroughs.
For many years, the SelectScience®editorial team has been participating in scientific conferences around the globe to provide audiences with news regarding cutting-edge technological advances, research breakthroughs, and emerging products that could benefit their research and work. Recognizing the crucial role that these events play in the advancement of science, SelectScience presents live show and post-show conference highlights, featuring ground-breaking technology and advancements across a variety of scientific domains.
Some key themes that emerged during SLAS 2023 included how artificial intelligence may play a role in accelerating the discovery of therapeutics and biomarkers, what laboratories of the future may look like, and how automation can be used to free up scientists’ time so they can focus on performing the science that matters. Read on for key news highlights, expert interviews, and product launches from the show.
Laboratory automation news: Technology highlights
SelectScience spoke to manufacturers and scientists on the show floor to learn more about the latest laboratory automation products streamlining workflows. Watch the video below to see our editorial roundup of SLAS 2023. Then explore a selection of key video interviews filmed during the show.
The impact of barcoded sample management systems in cancer therapy development pipelines
Gina Chen, Compound Manager at Ikena Oncology, described how the Mosaic Sample Management Software by Titian has helped to transform Ikena Oncology’s small molecule development pipelines.
Streamlining compound library preparation with an integrated sample management platform
Corbin Occhino, Senior Scientist at Tyra Biosciences, shared how the Mosaic Sample Management Software by Titian has transformed the way the precision oncology company manages its compound libraries.
Increase cell line selection throughput for biotherapeutics with automated clone selection
Dieter Wagner, Product Manager of Cytomat at Thermo Fisher Scientific, explained how the new Thermo Scientific™ Cytomat™ 2 Selector can accelerate your cell line selection while simplifying your workflow with less consumables, and hands-on time.
Dynamic laboratory automation system can easily reconfigure your setup
Shaival Desai, Product Manager, Lab Automation Hardware at Thermo Fisher Scientific, shared how Thermo Scientific™ SmartCarts™ transform conventional docking methods to connect your workflows, while the Thermo Scientific™ Spinnaker™ microplate moving robot can easily adjust to new configurations.
Accelerate genomics research with this compact, all-in-one liquid handler
Paul Lomax, Head of Genomics at SPT Labtech, explained how the firefly® all-in-one compact liquid handling workstation from SPT Labtech incorporates pipetting, dispensing, incubating, and shaking, making it ideal for genomics applications.
Miniaturize NGS methods with an automated liquid handler duo
Chris Waddling, Field Application Scientist at SPT Labtech, described how genomics researchers can miniaturize next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods to increase throughput and lower costs using the combination of the mosquito® and dragonfly® automated liquid handlers from SPT Labtech.
Revolutionizing tube labeling with advanced laser tech
Waldemar Janzen, Global Product Manager at LVL Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, introduced the new Tube Laser Marker (TLM 864) and explained how this instrument can mark tubes with specific information, without the need for time-consuming and non-secure labeling and lettering methods.
Airflow in automation: Custom solutions for enhanced biosafety
Seth De Penning and Drew Pippin from NuAire discussed how a biosafety cabinet is an important complement to any automated equipment, and detailed how a custom solution can overcome the challenges with airflow.
Highlights from the show also included a series of presentations from key opinion leaders, hosted by Tecan. The presentations included talks on a semi-automated workflow for cell seeding drug treatment and the real-time assessment of snake venom toxicity on a 3D blood vessel model. CN Bio presented its portfolio of PhysioMimix™ OOC Microphysiological Systems and Automata displayed its LINQ platform for fully automated workflows and the transport of labware.
The SelectScience team also caught up with ePrep to learn more about its robotic sample preparation workstation for chromatography users and PerkinElmer for an overview of its new EnVision® Nexus™ multimode plate reader.
For more coverage on future and past innovations in science, visit our dedicated Accelerating Science Special Feature page