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I completely agree with your point about being good at software/hardware/biology is the key to running a successful production biotech lab because you can try t

I completely agree with your point about being good at software/hardware/biology is the key to running a successful production biotech lab because you can try to supplement various weak points with the other domains. I've been 3d-printing devices that helps with DNA extraction in my lab. I am interested in automating the lab I am running now. We have an opentrons that we bought couple years ago that I never got around to using. But now that we are regularly getting a decent amount of samples in a week, I really want to get it going. Are you starting a lab automation service? I agree with your point about plate sealer/unsealer. It is a huge pain point in automation. However, I am not sure if you can convince regulatory bodies to approve it. Are you doing some kind of mineral oil top layer to prevent evaporation? We've actually tried that before and it kinda worked, but the problem is that the mineral layer messes with the SPRI bead purification step. I am sure it can be solved with more testing, but it just wasn't worth the inconsistency at the time.

koeng 6y ago
I'm starting what could be thought of as a DNA cloning company. So sort of automation service, but for one specific application. > Are you doing some kind of mineral oil top layer to prevent evaporation The opposite: the process is pretty much based off of dessication (plus a little bit of tube opening by the bots for important chemicals). For thermocycling stuff, I'm planning on just using Opentrons module with the reusable seals. I really wanted to find a way to use reusable seals everywhere, but I just couldn't think of a way to do it well robotically. Thankfully, I don't need to convince the regulatory bodies of anything, since I'm just doing DNA cloning. > We have an opentrons that we bought couple years ago If you need to do multichannel stuff, do yourself a favor and go buy Gen2 multichannels and toss your old Gen1. The Gen1 multichannels are hilariously unreliable, but the Gen2 are pretty solid. Love those bots overall though - I got two of em so I can work in parallel!
- daemonk 6y ago
  Desiccation is an interesting approach. I don't see it as being used for every step of a reaction though? It would take too long to wait for desiccation between every step? And depending on the buffers you are using, you might be increasing the salt concentrations after you re-constitute? I guess you can take that into account when you add the reconstitution buffer. Are you open to discussing some kind of consulting arrangement between you and my company? If so, how do I reach out?
  - koeng 6y ago
    > It would take too long to wait for desiccation between every step? Desiccation is just for the storage steps. Otherwise I just plan on passing liquids around, compensating for any evaporation. > Are you open to discussing some kind of consulting arrangement between you and my company? Sure! Contact me at koeng101 [@] gmail.com and we can talk
JabavuAdams 6y ago
Could you elaborate on what you mean re: convincing regulatory bodies? I'm not used to working in a highly-regulated environment. Why are they involved? For certification of the lab? EDIT> I mean involved w.r.t plate sealers/unsealers, not more generally.
- daemonk 6y ago
  If you want CLIA lab certification, there are a number of rules surrounding cross contamination, which not sealing a plate of samples properly might be a red flag.
  - JabavuAdams 6y ago
    Ok, thanks

koeng 6y ago

I'm starting what could be thought of as a DNA cloning company. So sort of automation service, but for one specific application. > Are you doing some kind of mineral oil top layer to prevent evaporation The opposite: the process is pretty much based off of dessication (plus a little bit of tube opening by the bots for important chemicals). For thermocycling stuff, I'm planning on just using Opentrons module with the reusable seals. I really wanted to find a way to use reusable seals everywhere, but I just couldn't think of a way to do it well robotically. Thankfully, I don't need to convince the regulatory bodies of anything, since I'm just doing DNA cloning. > We have an opentrons that we bought couple years ago If you need to do multichannel stuff, do yourself a favor and go buy Gen2 multichannels and toss your old Gen1. The Gen1 multichannels are hilariously unreliable, but the Gen2 are pretty solid. Love those bots overall though - I got two of em so I can work in parallel!

daemonk 6y ago
Desiccation is an interesting approach. I don't see it as being used for every step of a reaction though? It would take too long to wait for desiccation between every step? And depending on the buffers you are using, you might be increasing the salt concentrations after you re-constitute? I guess you can take that into account when you add the reconstitution buffer. Are you open to discussing some kind of consulting arrangement between you and my company? If so, how do I reach out?
- koeng 6y ago
  > It would take too long to wait for desiccation between every step? Desiccation is just for the storage steps. Otherwise I just plan on passing liquids around, compensating for any evaporation. > Are you open to discussing some kind of consulting arrangement between you and my company? Sure! Contact me at koeng101 [@] gmail.com and we can talk

JabavuAdams 6y ago

Could you elaborate on what you mean re: convincing regulatory bodies? I'm not used to working in a highly-regulated environment. Why are they involved? For certification of the lab? EDIT> I mean involved w.r.t plate sealers/unsealers, not more generally.

daemonk 6y ago
If you want CLIA lab certification, there are a number of rules surrounding cross contamination, which not sealing a plate of samples properly might be a red flag.
- JabavuAdams 6y ago
  Ok, thanks