Application Blueprint
We built and tested this system with our customer, Octant, to tackle demanding drug discovery workflows. This blueprint combines 11 precisely configured RACs that streamline assay-ready plate prep, HTS assays, mammalian cell perturbation, and media exchange. Use it as a validated starting point for your drug discovery automation planning.
The Small Molecule Drug Discovery RAC System has been extensively validated across drug discovery and mammalian cell-based HTS workflows, including working with high-density, ultra high-throughput 1536-well plates.
01
Streamline screening workflows with precise acoustic dispensing of small molecules followed by automated plate sealing and storage.
02
Execute high-throughput screens with automated cell dispensing, incubation, washing, buffer addition, and multi-mode plate reading for fluorescence, absorbance, or luminescence readouts.
03
Automate complex cell manipulation workflows with precise dispensing of transfection reagents, gRNA/Cas9 genome editing machinery delivery, and controlled incubation conditions.
04
Maintain optimal culture conditions with automated centrifugal media removal and fresh media dispensing without disturbing cell layers.
05
Extract and purify nucleic acids with hands-free automation of mixing, magnetization, washing, and elution steps.
06
Accurately measure nucleic acid concentrations through automated absorbance readings and low-volume liquid transfers.
Application Note
We know automation claims can sound too good to be true so we deployed our design in real-world drug discovery at our customer Octant's labs. Their platform uses cell-based reporter assays to identify small molecule correctors for protein misfolding diseases.
Our team tackled real challenges that trip up ordinary automation systems - like running assays in 1536-well plates with complex cell manipulations. The results?
7x throughput increase over manual process
88% reduction in hands-on time
100x improvement in lead compound series potency
Consistent performance across diverse cell-based assays
| Small Molecule Drug Discovery RAC System | ||
| Operation | Instrument | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
Ambient random access storage | AmbiStore | HighRes Biosolutions |
Incubation | SteriStore | HighRes Biosolutions |
Ambient serial access storage | MicroServe | HighRes Biosolutions |
Non-contact acoustic cherry picking | Echo 525 | Beckman Coulter |
Microplate Sealing | PlaceLoc | Agilent Technologies |
Microplate Peeling | XPeel | Azenta |
Centrifugation | HiG3 | BioNex Solutions |
Bulk Dispensing | MultiFlo Fx | Agilent Technologies |
Contact stamping pipetting | Bravo | Agilent Technologies |
Plate reading | Spark | Tecan |
Non-contact plate washing | Blue Washer | Blue Cat Bio |
Download
In this blueprint you'll find:
A clear breakdown of the specific unit operations automated within each supported application (compound screening, mammalian cell perturbation, media exchange, and more).
Comprehensive modular diagrams illustrating the complete system architecture, including instrument configurations.
In-depth RAC hardware and software specifications to help you accurately plan and implement flexible lab automation solutions
Proven best practices and instrument integrations validated by Ginkgo's customer Octant in real drug discovery applications.
Hardware
Unlike traditional fixed automation, Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs) provide the flexibility needed for ever-changing experimental workflows:
Modular Architecture: Quickly add or remove unit operations as your protocols evolve
"Lego-like" Flexibility: Reconfigure in hours, not months with quick-connect interfaces
Multi-Protocol Support: Run different experiments simultaneously and expand your experiment run queue last minute as needed
Off-the-Shelf Instrument Integration: Compatible with 30+ standard lab instruments, and our list of integrated instruments is always expanding
Optimized footprint: Increase your equipment utilization via our patented decentralized labware transport architecture
Software & Support
Automation hardware without intelligent software is just expensive furniture. All of our RAC systems include Catalyst Automation Control Software (ACS) and Catalyst Flow - a comprehensive ticketless support service that transforms how your team interacts with automation:
Programmatic Control: Launch experiments manually via our web-based user interfaces or automatically via API
Parameterized Protocols: Highly customizable experimental workflows can be modified via simple parameter adjustments
Automated Data Egress: Easily connect output data streams to your downstream data analysis pipelines
Scheduler Intelligence: Multi-user, multi-protocol concurrent execution with constraint-based scheduling
Remote Troubleshooting: Proactive system error resolution and troubleshooting to handle issues as they occur, with 80-90% of issues resolvable without user intervention
01
Yes, any instruments you already own that are listed in this blueprint can be integrated; you do not need to purchase new versions for your system.
02
Our Catalyst software and support package minimizes the need for dedicated automation specialists. Most research teams can operate their system with just 1-2 days of training, and often by one junior automation engineer (or similar professional).
03
The Catalyst Flow remote support team proactively monitors performance and resolves most issues without you even noticing them. For the ~10-20% of issues requiring hands-on attention, the system provides clear guidance for quick resolution.
04
Absolutely! That's one of the key advantages of RACs. The blueprint includes guidance for prioritizing initial components and suggests options for “next gen” expansions.
05
Based on results from our partner Octant, the Small Molecule Drug Discovery RAC System can process up to 400,000 wells per month with a minimal team. The system reliably handles high-density1536-well plate formats and robustly executes experimental campaigns up to 72 hrs long. This throughput can support rapid design-build-test-learn cycle iterations, enabling rapid compound optimization across multiple programs simultaneously.
Ready to start designing your system? Schedule a call with our automation experts.
