Sequencing library prep automation selection

whe · 08-22-2018, 10:42 PM

Hi, we are looking into purchasing an automation platform for NGS library prep. We are now comparing Tecan freedom evo to Eppendorf epMotion. Does anyone here have experience with either platform? How do you like or dislike it?
Any advice will be helpful.
Thanks a lot!

JakobHedegaard · 08-27-2018, 02:08 AM

Hi Whe,
Have you considered a Sciclone NGS, Zephyr NGS og Janus NGS Express from Perkin Elmer? See http://info.perkinelmer.com/YR15-Pro...939.1523881451 for a list of automated methods.
I am NOT related to Perkin Elmer, but we have been using their robots for several years and are very happy with them.
Good luck.
/Jakob

UCan'tBcereus · 08-27-2018, 05:06 AM

Hi Whe,

We have a Tecan Freedom Evo 150 in our lab (8 channel head only). We for the most part like it. There is a learning curve to it, but if you take the time to learn the software there’s a lot you can do with it. Writing the protocols is fairly easy. Optimizing the liquid classes is the really difficult part. Unless you want to pay for one of their courses, its hard to get the right volumes delivered without a fair amount of trial and error.

They validated a Full RXN Volume NExtera XT protocol on it. Ran real samples on it and they worked perfectly. I have cut it to Half RXN Volumes and the volumes are all still delivered accurately. Have not been able to test that with real samples yet.

We currently use it a lot for Ampure XP bead cleanups and 1/4 RXN Quant It Reactions. I used a lot of commands from the Nextera XT protocol to help me write these scripts. We also have a normalization script for it. That is going to be tested next week and if it is as accurate as it was in "Fake Sample" tests, then it should significantly speed up our normalization.

The only other thing is that if you working in very small volumes to be careful. When writing my normalization script, I could not get <2uL volumes delivered both accurately and consistently. Even when working with the smallest tip size they have (10 uL). So if you plan on doing a lot of liquid transfers <2 uL, then you may want to be careful.

Finally, if you do decide to get a Tecan Freedom Evo, make sure you get one large enough for what you want to do. If you want to get a MCA96 pipetting head or MCA384 petting head, then you will want to consider a 200 series. I know a lab that has a 150 series with a MCA head, and they constantly have to refill tips. For tip heavy protocols like Ampure Bead cleanups, our instrument has just enough space to have enough tips to not refill during the run.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

gringer · 09-04-2018, 04:21 AM

If you want cheap, there's the OpenTrons OT-2. The basic system is $3500 USD, with additional modules ordered separately:

single channel pipette $500
8-channel pipette $1000
temperature module $1000
aluminium block (for temp module) $500
magnetic deck $1500

Simone78 · 09-20-2018, 07:28 AM

I am a big fan of the Tecan Freedom Evo 200. For medium/high throughput project it's fantastic. Our configuration includes the 96 and 384 head adaptor. Having a 4 channel LiHa arm (4 independent channels for single dispensing, i.e. cherry-picking) is also very useful. A newer and better version of it would be the Fluent 780, also from Tecan. The software for the Evo is rather easy and you wouldn't need too much time to master it, even if you want to create complex programs. To cut the costs we combine it with a Nanodrop Express (BioNex). Reagent addition steps are done with the Nanodrop while sample pooling, bead cleanup and primer addition is done with the Tecan.
On the other hand, I would never recommend an Agilent Bravo. Too many limitations on the instrument, expensive consumables and the software is much more complicated than the Evo (at least the version I used a few years back). The EpMotion is ok but is not meant for complex application or high-throughput projects. As far as I know a 384 channel pipetting head is not available for the EpMotion.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Recommendation for illumina library prep automation	BioKiwi	Core Facilities	8	07-22-2016 09:43 AM
Automation platform for Library Prep-help needed	nangel	Sample Prep / Library Generation	0	12-02-2014 05:45 PM
Automation for NexteraXT Library Prep	docbio	Illumina/Solexa	7	06-03-2013 04:00 AM
Automation for TruSeq library prep?	jlove	Sample Prep / Library Generation	10	01-10-2012 09:34 AM
Automation company looking for validation of library prep platform	DNautomate	Vendor Forum	0	06-17-2011 10:49 AM

08-22-2018, 10:42 PM	#1
whe Junior Member Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 2	Sequencing library prep automation selection Hi, we are looking into purchasing an automation platform for NGS library prep. We are now comparing Tecan freedom evo to Eppendorf epMotion. Does anyone here have experience with either platform? How do you like or dislike it? Any advice will be helpful. Thanks a lot!

09-04-2018, 04:21 AM	#4
gringer David Eccles (gringer) Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 838	OpenTrons If you want cheap, there's the OpenTrons OT-2. The basic system is $3500 USD, with additional modules ordered separately: single channel pipette $500 8-channel pipette $1000 temperature module $1000 aluminium block (for temp module) $500 magnetic deck $1500

08-27-2018, 02:08 AM	#2
JakobHedegaard Member Location: Aarhus, Denmark Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 57	Hi Whe, Have you considered a Sciclone NGS, Zephyr NGS og Janus NGS Express from Perkin Elmer? See http://info.perkinelmer.com/YR15-Pro...939.1523881451 for a list of automated methods. I am NOT related to Perkin Elmer, but we have been using their robots for several years and are very happy with them. Good luck. /Jakob

08-27-2018, 05:06 AM	#3
UCan'tBcereus Member Location: New England Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 12	Hi Whe, We have a Tecan Freedom Evo 150 in our lab (8 channel head only). We for the most part like it. There is a learning curve to it, but if you take the time to learn the software there’s a lot you can do with it. Writing the protocols is fairly easy. Optimizing the liquid classes is the really difficult part. Unless you want to pay for one of their courses, its hard to get the right volumes delivered without a fair amount of trial and error. They validated a Full RXN Volume NExtera XT protocol on it. Ran real samples on it and they worked perfectly. I have cut it to Half RXN Volumes and the volumes are all still delivered accurately. Have not been able to test that with real samples yet. We currently use it a lot for Ampure XP bead cleanups and 1/4 RXN Quant It Reactions. I used a lot of commands from the Nextera XT protocol to help me write these scripts. We also have a normalization script for it. That is going to be tested next week and if it is as accurate as it was in "Fake Sample" tests, then it should significantly speed up our normalization. The only other thing is that if you working in very small volumes to be careful. When writing my normalization script, I could not get <2uL volumes delivered both accurately and consistently. Even when working with the smallest tip size they have (10 uL). So if you plan on doing a lot of liquid transfers <2 uL, then you may want to be careful. Finally, if you do decide to get a Tecan Freedom Evo, make sure you get one large enough for what you want to do. If you want to get a MCA96 pipetting head or MCA384 petting head, then you will want to consider a 200 series. I know a lab that has a 150 series with a MCA head, and they constantly have to refill tips. For tip heavy protocols like Ampure Bead cleanups, our instrument has just enough space to have enough tips to not refill during the run. Let me know if you have any more questions.

09-20-2018, 07:28 AM	#5
Simone78 Senior Member Location: Basel (Switzerland) Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 207	I am a big fan of the Tecan Freedom Evo 200. For medium/high throughput project it's fantastic. Our configuration includes the 96 and 384 head adaptor. Having a 4 channel LiHa arm (4 independent channels for single dispensing, i.e. cherry-picking) is also very useful. A newer and better version of it would be the Fluent 780, also from Tecan. The software for the Evo is rather easy and you wouldn't need too much time to master it, even if you want to create complex programs. To cut the costs we combine it with a Nanodrop Express (BioNex). Reagent addition steps are done with the Nanodrop while sample pooling, bead cleanup and primer addition is done with the Tecan. On the other hand, I would never recommend an Agilent Bravo. Too many limitations on the instrument, expensive consumables and the software is much more complicated than the Evo (at least the version I used a few years back). The EpMotion is ok but is not meant for complex application or high-throughput projects. As far as I know a 384 channel pipetting head is not available for the EpMotion.