Day two of SLAS2023 had a range of exciting announcements from industry providers. Here is a selection of some the highlights that the show had to offer.
ThinkCyte launches new sorting platform
Biotechnology company ThinkCyte launched its new sorting platform at the show.
VisionSort is powered by the company’s AI-driven technology, Ghost Cytometry, and help characterise and sort cells based on their physical properties. The platform combines analytical features found in conventional fluorescence flow sorters with the ability to perform label-free sorting and unbiased morphological analysis of cell populations. It’s hoped that the combined capabilities will enable researchers to sort unique populations for downstream processing or molecular analysis.
VisionSort, alongside the integrated Ghost Cytometry technology were selected as finalists for Best New Product and Innovation Awards, respectively at SLAS2023.
“VisionSort is bringing an entirely new dimension to traditional cellular analysis and sorting,” said Janette Phi, Chief Business Officer at ThinkCyte. “By combining the ability to look at cellular morphology in 3-dimensions with traditional fluorescence measures and adding the power of AI to discover hidden patterns in data, VisionSort lets investigators view the relationship between cellular phenotypes and disease in completely new ways.”
Automata helps with the workflow
Laboratory automation provider Automata showcased its new fully automated laboratory bench, LINQ, at the show. The bench uses open, integrated automation to connect instruments and automate the transfer of labware. More so, its modular design can be adapted for any workflow or lab space as required. Its automation software also helps scientists to design and run automated workflows through a single dashboard.
With this automation, walkaway time for scientists is increased, allowing them to work on more skilled tasks, while still having hands-on access to the open benches when required.
Grenova goes green
Product supplier Grenova launched a new addition to its green technology portfolio at SLAS2023, marking a continued push by the company to examine its sustainability efforts. The company’s Purus product is designed to reduce waste and cut costs for labs around the world. Purus is an automated microwell plate cleaning system that removes chemical and biological contaminants from multiple wells, resulting in plates that can be used for new applications.
Ali Safavi, founder and CEO of Grenova gave a presentation on the use of the technology focused on reducing plastic waste. The talk showcased the ways in which labs are reducing plastic waste and also reducing costs to ensure their business and employees are in better financial positions.
Thrive integrates instruments and software
Instruments and software provider Thrive Bioscience debuted new software for an integrated suite of instruments that are designed to help researchers automatically capture thousands of time-series images.
The company’s Release 4.0 software gives added capabilities to its CellAssist range of networkable instruments for live cell imaging.
The CellAssist family includes a benchtop model, a robotic 50-plate model, and advanced software that produces comprehensive databases of high-quality images, metrics, and documentation that provide researchers with insights into cell and tissue dynamics.
“The CellAssist family of products, including and software Release 4.0, offer unique imaging capabilities that will vastly improve organoid imaging, IVF imaging, viral plaque assays, gene editing (CRISPR), and stem cell production for researchers,” explained Thomas Farb-Horch, CEO of Thrive.
Streamlined collaboration
Automation solutions provider Biosero and sample management equipment providers AltemisLab announced a collaboration to streamline sample management automation for customers. The companies showcased their joint technology approach at SLAS2023, highlighting how scientists can integrate AltemisLab’s AlteCap Swift CELL screw-cap decapper into sample management workflows controlled by Biosero’s Green Button Go laboratory automation software
The rapid decapper device has interchangeable cassettes to allow for use with tubes from any manufacturer and any SBS-compliant tube format. Now, the device can be controlled through Biosero’s suite of laboratory automation software to enable fully automated workflows and extended laboratory productivity even in the absence of human operators.
“The AltemisLab team is enthusiastic about offering a total solution to help identify, preserve, and process precious research samples,” said Emma Ryan, Founder and Sales Director at AltemisLab. “We are committed to developing products that work not just as standalone devices on the lab bench, but that can also be integrated into an automated workcell. Collaborating with Biosero is a great opportunity that allows us to support customers’ integration projects.”
Ryan Bernhardt, Chief Commercial Officer at Biosero, added: “Biosero has long been hardware-agnostic, with a commitment to delivering the best experience and results for our customers. We are pleased to team up with AltemisLab to bring their universal sample management devices into seamless automated laboratory setups with our Green Button Go software to add even more capabilities for users.”
