Table 1.
Culture system | Manufacturer | Advantages | Limitations |
---|---|---|---|
Freedom EVO | Tecan |
– High precision – Allows for effective speeding up of processing – Offers liquid detection and notification for particles obstructing the pipetting |
– Requires specific consumables – Requires special training for its programming and utilising fully the software’s capabilities |
STAR | Hamilton |
– High precision pipetting at small volumes – Modular design allowing for expansion as needs grow |
– Requires specific consumables – Handles small volumes (< 5 mL) at a time |
CompacT SelecT | Sartorius |
– Suitable for both adherent and suspension cell culture – Ability to process up to 90 T175 flasks and 384 well plates – Runs subculture, cell counting and harvesting |
– Requires additional pieces of equipment (e.g. centrifuge, microscope) to carry out the workflow – Large footprint |
Biomek® 4000 | Beckman Coulter | – Provides accuracy at handling small volumes | – Requires specific consumables |
RoboLector | M2P labs |
– Includes preparation of media – Allows for pH adjustments |
– Volumes higher than 950 µL are pipetted in 2 steps |
Cellmate | TAP Biosystems | – Using both flasks and roller bottles | – Does not incorporate automated harvesting |
CyBio® | Analytik Jena | – Full assay automation including preparation of assay plates and measurements, cell seeding and incubator for further culture |
– Only takes microplates – Requires specific consumables |
Ambr15® and Ambr250® | Sartorius |
– Proven scale down models – High throughput – Ability to run multiple conditions simultaneously – Suitable for optimisation studies |
– Require specific consumables – Limited agitation speed range |