Do you automate?

We want more input about how you automate in the lab -- help us shape a future article on the topic

Written byThe Scientist
| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share
As every researcher knows, discoveries are exciting, but the experiments that lead to them can involve repetitive tasks that leave you wishing for a robot to do the job. Whether it's mass spectrometry, cell culture, quantitative RT PCR or high-volume genetic screens, several companies have solutions for sale. But what factors do you have to consider in deciding it's time to invest in expensive automated equipment?
For an upcoming Lab Tools article, we want to know how you've approached your automation woes. What technique did you decide to automate, and what pushed you to make the decision? Which equipment did your lab invest in? Are you happy with the off-the-shelf robotic system you purchased, or have you tweaked it in creative ways to make it conform to your needs? Are there experiments you wish you could automate, but no solution on the market that would get it right?The Lab Tools department aims to bring you tips on lab techniques beyond what you'd find in a published protocol and to act a springboard for readers to share further tips. So send us your ideas for a topic relating to automation we should explore, and look for your ideas in our January article on automation in the lab. The Scientist staff mail@the-scientist.comLinks within this article:J. Perkel, "Automation for the small scale," The Scientist, January 1, 2007. http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/38043/A. Constans, "Automation advances in proteomics," The Scientist, March 23, 2003. http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/14028/L. Schultz, "Cell culture automation," The Scientist, March 1, 2004. http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/14483/
Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here
Share
Illustration of a developing fetus surrounded by a clear fluid with a subtle yellow tinge, representing amniotic fluid.
January 2026

What Is the Amniotic Fluid Composed of?

The liquid world of fetal development provides a rich source of nutrition and protection tailored to meet the needs of the growing fetus.

View this Issue
Human-Relevant In Vitro Models Enable Predictive Drug Discovery

Advancing Drug Discovery with Complex Human In Vitro Models

Stemcell Technologies
Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Beckman Coulter Logo
Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Unchained Labs

Products

Sino Biological Logo

Sino Biological's Launch of SwiftFluo® TR-FRET Kits Pioneers a New Era in High-Throughout Kinase Inhibitor Screening

SPT Labtech Logo

SPT Labtech enables automated Twist Bioscience NGS library preparation workflows on SPT's firefly platform

nuclera logo

Nuclera eProtein Discovery System installed at leading Universities in Taiwan

Brandtech Logo

BRANDTECH Scientific Introduces the Transferpette® pro Micropipette: A New Twist on Comfort and Control