Optimization of Liquid-Handling Precision with Neptune Software on a Tecan Genesis

Abstract

The process of optimizing the precision of robotic liquid-handling instruments can be improved using the Design of Experiments methodology. Design of Experiments (DOE) is “a collection of statistical and mathematical techniques useful for developing, improving, and optimizing processes.” Using DOE one can design and analyze experiments with the goal of optimizing the precision of liquid deliveries. Tecan has developed a software application, “Neptune” to automate this process for the Tecan Genesis series of instruments. This application has been used to perform experiments on the liquid-handling properties of a variety of liquids. As an example of this process, we will examine a set of experiments performed on a 50% concentration of polyethylene glycol 8000. These experiments resulted in an improvement in the pipetting precision from an average CV of 22.2% to an average of 2.9%.