Tecan helps drive the fuels of the future

At the Madrid-based technology centre of global energy company Repsol, scientists are conducting research into fossil fuel alternatives. Their work relies on the use of two Freedom EVO platforms from Tecan for colony picking and enzymatic assays, as well as the company’s 350 µL nested LiHa disposable tips to achieve extended walkaway times.

“The investigation of new biological applications involves screening large numbers of mutants of different microorganisms, enabling the best-performing candidates to be selected for further studies,” explained Jose Miguel Seoane, a researcher in the biotechnology department. “As we test thousands of different mutations, automated, high-throughput screening is the key to our success.”

Seoane revealed that the researchers generate up to 10,000 colonies per week, meaning long periods of walkaway automation are essential and nested tips are indispensable. “It makes no sense to invest in automation if you need to manually place tips on the workdeck every 20 minutes or so,” he noted.

“The release of 350 µL nested LiHa disposable tips, with a novel design incorporating a frame between each tray, was an important development. The trays fit perfectly and the stack remains in perfect alignment, eliminating tip pick-up failures. This makes the workflow more robust and efficient, as well as providing the long walkaway times that we need.”

Seoane added that Tecan’s field engineers “know the systems well and are very responsive”, providing the centre with much-needed support and thus preventing project setbacks. “It is a pleasure to work with the company,” he concluded.