omation mbers - Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening

WP078
Mike Wheeler
Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital Trust
Chemical Pathology
Lambeth Palace Road
London SE1 7EH United Kingdom
mike.wheeler@kcl.ac.uk
Introduction of Automation Into Clinical Laboratories in the UK
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Co-Author(s)
Carolyn Piggott
Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital Trust
Stephen Halloran
University of Surrey
There has been a slow and cautious approach to automation in the UK and few laboratories have either total
automation or pre-analytical systems.Laboratories have few sources to help them to decide whether automation
is appropriate for them, which system to choose and on reliability. We have carried out an off-site evaluation of
seven different pre-analytical systems (Bayer, Beckman, Dade Behring, Olympus, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics,
Roche, and Tecan (Abbott), in 10 hospitals. Information was gathered on site and system information before
and after introduction of the pre-analytical system; procurement (purchasing) procedures; installation and
implementation procedures; fulfilment of expectations; system reliability and customer support, and detailed
systems specifications. Choice of total automation or stand-alone pre-analytical instrument was not related to size
of hospital/workload. Several project managers emphasised the need to identify the processes that would benefit
from automation. Although sites commented on the reduction in health and safety risks, there were some concerns
about safety e.g., with the Roche and Olympus systems. Expectations were not realised in all cases. A reduction
of turnaround time was not always achieved especially if the system could not handle the maximum workflow.
Common problems across the sites were system errors due to poorly attached barcode labels and patient address
labels leading to errors with centrifuges, sample holders and level sensing units. Poor definition barcode labels and
sample tube caps were also a source of problems. Other problems were linked to slow response of/insufficient
support engineers and lack of spare parts in the UK leading to extended downtimes.
WP079
Ian Whitehall
TTP LabTech Ltd
Melbourn Science Park, Cambridge Road
RoystonSG8 6EE United Kingdom
inw@ttplabtech.com
Primary HTS Neurite Outgrowth Assay Using the Acumen Explorer
Co-Author(s)
John Budd
Paul Wylie
Wayne Bowen
The discovery and characterization of compounds and new chemical entities that promote or suppress neurite
outgrowth is of great importance in the continued search for therapies to treat central nervous system diseases
such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. A simple, rapid, quantitative neurite outgrowth assay has now been
developed for the Acumen Explorer laser scanning fluorescence detection system, in both 96- and 384-well
plate format. Experiments described have used the SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line. Conditions were
established where differentiation and subsequent neurite formation were stimulated over a 3 to 7 day period by
chronic exposure to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Neurite formation was then quantified by addition of the dye
4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N- methyl pyridinium iodide (4-Di-1-ASP) (Molecular Probes, Inc.). Plates were then
scanned on the Acumen Explorer. Using the unique capability of the Explorer the inclusion of differentiated and
non-differentiated cells in appropriate populations was performed to provide neurite number per well.