Professor Matthew Gound of the University of Cambridge is advancing the development of chemical reactions that were previously impossible using traditional methods by utilizing high-throughput experimentation (HTE). HTE allows for the parallel execution of a large number of reactions, enabling the simultaneous examination of many variables such as catalysts, substrates, and additives. Using automated liquid dispensers like mosquito(R), precise reagent handling at the nanoliter scale is performed, accommodating reaction setups and analyses in 384 or 1536 well plates. The research subjects range widely, including photoredox catalysts, C–H activation, and nucleic acid (RNA, DNA) chemistry, allowing for efficient exploration even with small sample sizes. Additionally, analytical techniques such as UPLC-MS and high-throughput NMR enable the acquisition of quantitative and high-quality data. The flexible operation is also characterized by conducting reactions at the necessary scale using partially filled 1536 well plates. In the future, such high-quality data will be essential for predicting chemical reactions using AI and machine learning, highlighting the increasing importance of data science.

The Norwegian Sequencing Centre (NSC), located at Oslo University Hospital, has recognized the importance of lab automation in fields such as proteomics and genomics through practical experience. Recently, they have implemented liquid handling solutions, including our firefly system, significantly improving workflows to address daily operations and high-throughput challenges. These automations have enhanced work efficiency, optimized reagent usage, and reduced the risk of errors. In NSC's automation efforts, the following factors were key selection criteria: - Cost - Efficiency - Usability - Service support Considering various other conditions, our system was adopted as the most suitable for the automated workflow. It is believed that the importance of automation will continue to grow, becoming an essential element for core facilities. NSC's initiatives are expected to serve as a reference for other research institutions and as a model for maximizing the benefits of automation. For detailed news, please refer to the articles linked.

Announcement of a webinar for researchers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well as academia, interested in proteomics and multi-omics. Title: "Advanced proteomic biomarker discovery for understanding disease pathophysiology" Speakers: Eric Schordan, PhD and Kamila Koprowska, PhD Overview: How large-scale proteomics data generation, integrating the Olink Explore platform and positive displacement liquid handling technology, provides deep insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying various drugs and diseases, and how it offers a comprehensive reading of protein expression levels in biological samples.