Resources: Knowledge and practical liquid handling tips you can put into practice

We have collected data and information that focus on optimized assay workflows, as well as automated liquid handling and pipetting processes – all of which is compiled in the resources below. If you would like more details on how Artel can support your assay, don’t hesitate to reach out— call or email - we are here to help
Speed Assay Development
Process Optimization for Assays - Whitepaper
Find out how by downloading this new White Paper on using process optimization to reduce assay variability and improve productivity.
Pipetting viscous solutions poster
Pipetting Viscous Solutions
The Pipetting Viscous Solutions poster provides guidance on pipetting solutions and helps in understanding that viscosity is the measure of a liquid’s resistance to flow.
Troubleshooting Automation
Troubleshooting Automation
This Troubleshooting Automation poster provides guidance on how to identify common problems so you can get the best performance out of your liquid handling platforms.

Hamilton Robotics and Artel Collaboration

By Eric Sindelar, Tanya Knaide, Brandon Bare, Christian Hafele, Keith Albert, Kaziya Lee, Jordan Dargert
Overview As part of a mutual objective to ensure high and consistent liquid handler performance, Hamilton Company and Artel have collaborated on a project to…

Improving Automated Liquid Handling Performance for Serum Based Assays

By Michael Grimaldi, Rachel Parshley, Heather Macken, Nathaniel Hentz, PhD., John Thomas Bradshaw, PhD.
Overview Serum is a complex fluid component extracted from blood and is used in a variety of clinical diagnostic tests as well as biomedical research…

A New Solution for Optimizing PCR Master Mix Liquid Transfers

By Michael Grimaldi, Rachel Parshley, Heather Bushie, Kaziya Lee, PhD., John Thomas Bradshaw, PhD.
Overview Measuring and ensuring accuracy and precision of liquid delivery steps when transitioning from handheld pipettes to automated liquid handlers is a constant challenge, especially…

Improving Assay Performance Using a Process Optimization Approach

By Hentz, N., Avis, E.
Abstract High throughput screening (HTS) campaigns often rely on a single test to make a decision to proceed onto the next step. Minimizing assay variability…

Does weather affect pipetting? YES!

By Rodrigues, G., Avis, E., Price, A., Gerber, V.
Note: This poster has been formatted to fit this screen. Click here to download the published version. Introduction Liquid handler performance can be optimized by adjusting…

Volumetric Performance Assessment of Automated Liquid Handling Systems with ISO IWA 15

By Carle, A.B., Rodrigues, G.
Description The use of Automated Liquid Handling Systems (ALHS) is nearly ubiquitous in modern life sciences, clinical, forensic, as well as other analytical laboratories. These…

Best Practices for the Use of Micropipettes

By Carle, B., Rodrigues, G., Rumery, D.
Introduction Mechanical action micropipettes are ubiquitous in laboratories and are used for many routine tasks, including the quantitative measurement and dispensing of analytical samples and…

Verifying the accuracy and precision of liquid handlers is essential for assay reliability

By Schork, S. - Artel, Jenkins, J., Schenker, B. - TTP Labtech
Introduction Assay-ready plates are becoming key to maximizing throughput and assay robustness for many HTS departments. These plates contain test compounds prepared at specific concentrations…

Environmental Studies Using the Tecan QC Kit and an Automated Liquid Handling System

By Rodrigues, G., Avis, E. - Artel, Price, A., Gerber, V. - Tecan
Introduction Liquid handler performance can be optimized by adjusting system operating parameters, but the effect of environmental conditions on liquid handling quality is often underappreciated.…

ATS-100 Acoustic Transfer System calibration using Artel MVS and DMSO Range E dye: A practical approach to developing calibration curves

By Scheibe, D., Palan, J., Khovananth, K.
Overview The ATS-100 transfers one or more droplets of a given fixed size (e.g. 1nl, 2.5nl, 10nl, etc.) in multiples necessary to attain the desired…

Pipetting Characteristics of Serum and Serum-like Solutions versus Water

By Bradshaw, J., Curtis, R., Parshley, R., Flumerfelt, L.
Introduction Many types of chemical and biological analyses, which are core to bio-pharmaceutical laboratories, are based upon analytical techniques involving accurate delivery of liquid components. …

Reducing Costs by Improving Liquid handling

By Campbell, D., Knaide, T. - Artel, Roby, K. - Beckman Coulter
Abstract Lowering costs and reducing repeat testing are common interests in all areas of life science. Removing sources of variability from test processes reduces error…

Pipetting Comparison of DMSO Versus Aqueous Solutions as Measured Using Dual-Dye Technology

By Parshley, R., Bradshaw, J., Albert, K.
 Abstract DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) has become one of the most important solvents used throughout pharmaceutical and life science laboratories. This is particularly true for high-throughput…

Accuracy and Precision in Low Volume Liquid Transfers

By Tam, S., Rodrigues, G. - Artel, Forbush, M. - EDC Biosystems
Introduction Acoustic transfer systems operate by ejecting a rapid fire stream of tiny discrete droplets, with each droplet adding a few nanoliters to the total…

Measuring the Performance of Microplate Dispensers as Part of a Method Scale-up Process

By Knaide, T., Albert, K., Avis, E.
Abstract Liquid handling is often an overlooked and underappreciated factor in the success of assay transfer from the bench to automation. Often as part of…

Effect of Liquid Handling Quality Control on Biological Assay Performance

By Hentz, N. - BTEC, Knaide, T. - Artel
Introduction Automated liquid handlers have enabled dramatic improvements in the efficiency of screening the efficacy of potential new drug candidates, but just like a map…

Software System Used to Automate Equipment Performance Investigations and Improve Monitoring of Equipment at CareDx

By Butler, R., Wexler, D. - CareDx
Overview Many of the clinical laboratory workflows in use at CareDx rely heavily on Liquid Handling Instruments (LHI). As part of our Master Calibration Plan, all equipment…

Performance Verification of CERTUS Nano Liquid Dispenser

By Schork, S. - Artel, Biegger, M., Wursten, E., Zahid, M. - Fritz Gyger AG
Abstract The need to downsize assay formats is growing, but technically it is a hard challenge for equipment manufacturers. Verification and calibration of automated liquid…

Effect of Liquid Handling Quality Control on Biological Assay Performance

By Hentz, N.- BTEC, Knaide, T. - Artel
Introduction Molecules from a high throughput screening (HTS) campaign are often selected for further development after a single interrogation. HTS groups are also constantly challenged…

Nanoliter Volume Pin Tool Transfers as Measured by a Dual-Dye Absorbance Method

By Bradshaw, J. - Artel, Chau, D., Cleveland, P. - V&P Scientific
Introduction A common trend observed in life science testing over the past several years has been the ever shrinking test volume.  Increasing costs of chemical…

Why Is My Assay Failing?

By Knaide, T., Bradshaw, J. Khovananth, K., Albert, K.
 Abstract Assays can produce unexpected or failing results for a multitude of reasons. Variability may be introduced at any point within the assay process. Some…

Is Your Automated Liquid Handler Working for Your Assays?

By Albert, K.
Uncovering Errors, Understanding Device Behavior, and Optimizing Methods Abstract The focus of this presentation is to highlight the need of ensuring quality in important assays…

Do You Really Know What Your Robot is Doing?

By Bradshaw, J., Albert, K., Knaide, T.
The Importance of Paying Attention to Liquid Handling Details Introduction The introduction of automation into biology and chemistry labs has arguably lead to significant advances…

Do Plate Readers Agree?

By Knaide, T., Bradshaw, J., Curtis, R., Ritter, G., Parshley, R.
Understanding Performance Differences between Different Plate Reader Makes and Models Introduction Multiple plate readers are often used throughout a facility to measure the response in…

Optimization of the TechElan TEOS Orbital Shaker

By Spaulding, B., Bradshaw, J. - Artel, Chang, P., Feygin, I. - TechElan
Introduction [one][one_second] Achieving optimal mixing results, especially in all the various 384-well formats, can be an elusive goal.  Artel developed a quantitative method that allows…

Transferability of Pipette Calibrations

By Carle, B., Rodrigues, G.
Introduction One of the most obvious ways to maintain quality in a laboratory setting is the regular calibration of instruments. Regardless of the measuring instrument,…

Is Your Liquid Handler Efficient at Removing Sample?

By Khovananth, K., Neilsen, J., Albert, K.
Abstract This presentation demonstrates an alternative use for the Artel MVS® Multichannel Verification System. As opposed to measuring the accuracy and precision of a volume transfer into…

Understanding Device Behavior, Optimizing Methods, and Uncovering Errors

By Carle, B., Albert, K., Bradshaw, J.
Abstract The focus of this poster presentation is to highlight the need of ensuring quality in important assays performed with automated liquid handlers. Nearly all…

The Cost of Liquid Handler QC – A Case Study

By Knaide, T., Albert, K.
Abstract As with most laboratory instrumentation, automated liquid handlers should be assessed, verified and/or calibrated on a periodic basis. When considering an appropriate quality control…

Rapid Verification System for Critical Volume Transfers

By Albert, K., Knaide, T., Bradshaw, J., Rogers, A.
Abstract Technological advancements over the past decade have led to broad implementation of automated liquid handlers. With these systems, there has been a significant movement…

Operators as Sources of Error

By Carle, B., Vaccaro, W., Albert, K., Curtis, R., Rogrigues, G.
Improved Efficiency Through Pipetting Technique Training Introduction Data integrity and confidence  in results are critical measures of a laboratory’s quality system. No matter which tests…

Optimize Volume Transfer Methods to Avoid Reagent Concentration Error

By Albert, K.
Note: This poster has been formatted to fit this screen. Click here to download the published version. Abstract Laboratories utilizing liquid handling devices appreciate the efficiency…

Errors Associated with Pipetting of Warm and Cold Liquids

By Carle, B., Rumery, D., Davis, A., Rodrigues, G.
Introduction Many  common  laboratory  procedures  require  the handling and  quantitative  dispensing of  reagents  at  various temperatures.  Mechanical  action  micropipettes  are  most often used for this…

Best Practices for Assessing Nanoliter Transfer Performance for Labcyte Echo Liquid Handlers

By Bradshaw, J., Albert, K. - Artel, Mock, M., Shieh, J. - Labcyte
Abstract Acoustic  drop ejection (ADE) technology enables  low- nanoliter  transfers  for high-throughput screening applications. Verifying  the absolute transferred volume  and the well-to-well reproducibility of the…

Rapid Accuracy and Precision Assessment of DMSO Compound Solutions Transferred with Pocket Tips

By Albert, K., Kroncke, D.
Abstract Performing assays with liquid handling equipment to rapidly test and screen compounds is essential to drug discovery and other biopharma processes. In order to…

Verifying Mosquito Nanoliter Liquid Dispensing

By Schenker, B., Albert, K., Knaide, T.
Abstract Assay-ready plates are becoming key to maximizing throughput and assay robustness for many HTS departments. These plates contain test compounds prepared at specific concentrations…

Development of a 100% DMSO Sample Solution for Liquid Handler Performance Verification

By Parshley, R., Bradshaw, J., Rodrigues, G., Albert, K., Olson, K., Rumery, D.
Abstract DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) has become one of the most important solvents used for high-throughput screening (HTS) and compound management applications due to its ability…

Automation of Nanoliter Volume Transfers

By Fay, J., Williams, E., Mosser, S., Harrell, C., Calamari, A., Mullen, F., Harkins, T., Bednar, R.
Doing More With Less Introduction To facilitate the discovery and refinement of lead compounds, our laboratory known as the Facility for Automation and Screening Technology…

Quantifying the Impact of Operator Error in Pipetting

By Rumery, D., Rodrigues, G., Davis, A., Shoberg, J, Schafer, T.
Abstract Mechanical action hand-held pipettes are commonly used for transfer of microliter liquid quantities in a variety of analytical laboratories including pharmaceutical quality control, medical…

Accuracy Matters When Quantitative, Manually-pipetted Assays Graduate to Automation

By Albert, K., Knapp, L.
A Story in Diagnosing and Troubleshooting Abstract It is often the case that assays are initially performed on the benchtop  using handheld  pipettes  before they…

Accuracy of Serial Dilutions Tested Over a Large Dilution Range

By Knaide, T., Parshley, R., Bradshaw, J., Curtis, R.
ABSTRACT The process of serially diluting solutions in microplates is common for many assays including preparation of dose response curves for IC50, drug efficacy testing,…

Rapidly Quantifying Dilutions in Microtiter Plates

By Knaide, T., Bradshaw, J., Rogers, A., Albert, K.
Abstract Dilution-based volume transfer steps are commonly performed for many applications, such as dose response and detection limit testing. Because the exact concentrations of target…

Simple and Fast Performance Verification for Ultra-Low-Volume Liquid Handlers

By Albert, K., Lee, H.
Nanoliter Aqueous Fluid Transfers Assessed with Dual-Dye Technology Abstract Poor liquid handling performance can lead to poor assay results. When the volume verification methodology used to assess…

The Effects of Pipette Tip Production & Sterilization Methods on the Retention of Liquids

By Spaulding, B.W., Bradshaw, J.T., Albert, K., Campbell, D., Rodrigues, G.
Introduction Plastic pipette tips are ubiquitous pieces of labware commonly used in life science, pharmaceutical, chemistry and many other types of laboratories. Because of their…

Errors in Liquid Delivery

By Carle, B., Rumery, D., Davis, A., Sawyer, G., Albert, K., Bradshaw, J.
The Importance of Laboratory Conditions on Pipetting [one][one_second] Many common  laboratory procedures require quantitative pipettes and mechanical action air-displacement micropipettes are frequently used for this…

Uncovering Dimensional Variability in Standard Microtiter Plate Types

By Bradshaw, J., Rodrigues, G., Sawyer, G., Knaide, T., Rogers, A., Sargen, C.
Introduction First created in the 1950’s, microplates have become so common place that in 2004, the Society for Biomolecular Screening (SBS) established standards defining multiple dimensions…

Painless Nanoliter-Transfer Accuracy Inspection for Busy Screeners

By Albert, K., Mock, M., Shieh, J.
Abstract Acoustic droplet ejection first provided low-nanoliter transfers for high-throughput screening applications in 2004. At that time, there were no methods that could quickly and…

Photometric Measurement of Mixing Efficiency Using The Eppendorf MixMate Plate Mixer

By Spauding, B., Bradshaw, J. - Artel, Borrmann, L., Wente, W. - Eppendorf
Abstract Efficient mixing of solution components is a critical step in the performance of certain assay types.  As more life science and pharmaceutical laboratories conduct…