Hamilton, Waters Partner on Streamlining Sample Preparation Workflows

Hamilton Robotics and Waters Corporation have teamed up to develop a new kind of workstation for biopharmaceutical sample preparation, called StarWorks. The assay-ready workstation is an end-to-end solution for high-impact biopharmaceutical sample preparation, including verified methods and workstation accessories for large-molecule characterization and quantification workflows.

The new workstation, which was announced in a June 4, 2018 press release, is also equipped with a user-friendly graphic interface that guides and prompts researchers through each workflow step. Automated sample preparation workflows are simplified while simultaneously increasing sample throughput, and time-consuming, user-variable manual pipetting steps are reduced, as stated by Hamiltion.

These workstations enable sensitive, robust results while minimizing variability and manual interventions by combining liquid-handling capability with in-depth sample preparation chemistry knowledge from both companies. The StarWorks for Waters GlycoWorks and StarWorks for Waters ProteinWorks are specifically pre-configured and qualified to automate sample preparation of up to 96 samples at once using the GlycoWorks RapiFluor-MS N-Glycan and ProteinWorks Auto-eXpress Digest assay kits, respectively, prior to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. 

When configured for the three-step GlycoWorks RapiFluor-MS N-Glycan assay kit, StarWorks for Waters GlycoWorks includes accurate pipetting of precious reagents, barcoded sample tracking, and reproducible, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography solid-phase extraction for cleanup and concentration of glycans from complex matrices. The StarWorks for Waters ProteinWorks configuration for the ProteinWorks Auto-eXpress Digest assay kit contains dual heating blocks for precise temperature control, automated piercing location to eliminate the need for human intervention, and an on-deck darkbox for light sensitive reactions. This version also offers flexibility for a three-step or five-step workflow along with scripting and capabilities to perform the ProteinWorks µElution SPE assay for post-digestion sample purification.

According to Hamilton, the workstations will be co-promoted by both companies. Clients will be able to access a single, localized point of contact to integrate the assay ready workstations into their laboratory while using the services of each company.

Source: Hamilton