Low cost, low footprint, automated biobanking
ensures efficient laboratory workflows
James Craven, Simon Tullett, Wendy Gaisford
introduction
Since the early 1990s, biobanking has been evolving as
a key resource, increasing the availability and
dissemination of biological material such as DNA, RNA,
tissues and cells throughout biomedical research. Aside
from large biobanking schemes set up by national and
institutional biobanks (such as the Human Genome
Project and the NCI), there are a growing number of
smaller research groups and companies needing low
cost, compact, automated secure biobanking facilities as
their sample library increases.
As the number of biological samples continues to
increase, sample handling also becomes increasingly
time consuming, labour intensive and open to error.
Additionally, there is a requirement for increased space
to accommodate additional freezers or liquid nitrogen
dewars which places additional strain on research
facilities. Small footprint, automated storage modules
such as TTP Labtech’s comPOUND® or arktic™ are
capable of storing up to 10 times the number of samples
of a standard laboratory sized -80ºC freezer.
Introducing automation to these manual processes
significantly alleviates the tedium and potential errors
associated with storage and retrieval of such large
sample numbers, and increases throughputs.
TTP Labtech’s proprietary pneumatic transport
technology removes the need for moving parts within
the cold zone. This provides robust storage, ensuring
longevity of modules and minimal down time. In
addition, cherry-picking only the samples required
eliminates unnecessary partial thawing of samples
which are not required, thus improving sample integrity.
This poster discusses the advantages of automated
biobanking units such as comPOUND or arktic. It
explores how the adaptation of pneumatic transport
technology allows biobanking modules in remote stores
to be connected directly to laboratories or to be
integrated into further automated instrumentation for
assay set-up and analysis.
3. pneumatic transport
When floor space for storage is limited, a single
comPOUND can store the equivalent number of tubes to
10 standard -80°C freezers: i.e: up to 100,000 x 1.4 or
1.0 mL tubes per module.
TTP Labtech’s self-contained biobanking modules can be placed
in remote locations to maximise space, rather than using valuable
laboratory space for freezer storage. Using pneumatic transport
technology, sample tubes can be rapidly selected and
transported to any laboratory without the need for manual
intervention, thus improving the research workflow. Robust
sample logging software and 2D barcoding ensure sample
traceability and sample security.
As storage requirements increase, additional
comPOUND stores can be linked together. Integration of
multiple units enhances sample processing time.
With outstanding flexibility, it is easy to move sample
libraries around and change library sizes within the store.
Capacity
Vial type
comPOUND
arktic
1.4 mL screwcap microtube
100,000
50,000
1.0 mL screwcap microtube
100,000
60,000
0.5 mL screwcap microtube
200,000
95,000
-80ºC storage
Blood products/serum/
plasma, biological fluids,
short term tissue storage,
DNA/RNA, tissue samples,
proteins and reagents,
antibodies, bacteria.
comPANION can connect
multiple comPOUND and arktic
stores. The ability to access
several stores simultaneously
enhances sample throughput
and workflow as the library
grows.
Figure 2. number of samples that can be stored in a single
comPOUND or arktic unit
The storage temperature of biological
samples depends on sample stability,
length of storage time and the intended
use of the sample. TTP Labtech’s
storage modules for use at ambient to
-20ºC or -80ºC are ideally suited to the
storage and processing of biological
samples.
With the absence of
moving parts within the
cold zone, modules are
significantly more robust.
By employing this method
sample integrity is
maintained and freezer
efficiencies are improved.
arktic
-80ºC
comPOUND
-20ºC
Blood
samples
Serum
fractions
Buffy
coat
Surgery samples
snap frozen in 1.4 mL
microtube with 2Dbarcode
Primary cell
lines/ stem
cells
Swabs/
biological
fluids/ CSF etc
Isolation of
biomarkers
(proteins)
Plasma
fractions
Cryo-sliced
tissue
sections
Cell
lysates
DNA/RNA
extraction
Antibodies/
biomarkers/
lipoproteins
White blood
cells T
cells,
monocytes,
B cells etc
Inflammation
markers/
biomarkers/
hormones
DNA/
RNA/protein in
aliquots
@ -80ºC
in arktic
DNA/protein
aliquots
@ -20ºC
in comPOUND
comPOUND -20ºC
arktic -80ºC
Figure 3.example workflows for biobanking
Figure 1. TTP Labtech’s comPOUND and arktic storage modules
lab2lab allows scientists to
send samples for analysis on
remote instrumentation
without the need to leave
their lab bench.
4. facilitating the biobanking workflow
Samples are picked at
the storage temperature,
unlike other systems
which require a higher
temperature picking zone.
1. biobanking
-20ºC storage
Blood products/serum/
plasma, biological fluids
DNA plasmids, proteins
and extracts, antibodies,
proteins, enzymes and
reagents.
2. maximising storage space
samples cherry
picked from
comPOUND or
arktic
RESEARCH:
proteomics,
drug discovery,
academia, etc.
conclusion
TTP Labtech’s solutions for biobanking are unique and scalable for most biobanking requirements .The use of pneumatics to
replace complex mechanics ensures a “best practice” approach to biobanking, ensuring robustness and sample integrity. TTP
Labtech provides truly modular products with the ability to grow your library cost-effectively when needs demand. By incorporating
lab2lab, we can create an integrated but flexible solution that allows a more efficient sample management workflow.
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True -80°C modular storage (arktic)


Pneumatic simplicity
Small footprint

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Incredible storage density
Flexibility to locate stores anywhere or change workflows
Easy to integrate or expand.