SelectScience
Join Free
Accelerating Science
NewsLife Sciences

Astech Projects Launch the “Astech Automation Challenge”

Astech
25 Jul 2007

Product news

With over 10 years’ experience of custom automation projects behind them, Astech Projects have launched the Astech Automation Challenge which invites companies, across the cosmetics and consumer healthcare sector to present a difficult automation problem for them to solve. Already one of the preferred suppliers for a major pharmaceutical company and working on automation projects with a number of companies including Quest and ICI, Astech has been successfully transferring its innovative automation for liquid handling, sample preparation, and in-line analysis to nutraceutical, cosmetic and toiletry manufacturing.

The brainchild of Astech’s founder, Paul Norris, the Astech Automation Challenge, is an extension of what Astech have been doing successfully, but quietly, for many years. “We have already been working with some of the top companies on a number of thorny automation projects covering all stages of the R&D to manufacturing process. A couple of our recent projects involved automating the in-line testing of deodorants and shampoos” said Norris. “We’re usually invited to work on a project where the companies have already tried and failed to get the automation to work properly whether using internal or external teams. So everyone’s particularly happy when Astech provide a solution that works well. The Astech Automation Challenge is just an extension of this work.”

Developing the right concept for each automation project is the key to successful implementation, and this is where Astech shine. An experienced team of mechanical design engineers, software developers and project managers work closely with the customer from the start to review a range of possible concepts, selecting the most advantageous for further development and Proof of Concept (PoC) trials where necessary. Astech call this process ‘Optioneering’ and it means that Astech’s engineering team are then able to build a system that fully meets and often exceeds the customer’s specific requirements.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what comes up” said Norris. “Bring on the challenge!”

Links

AstechCompany website

Tags

Lab-on-a-ChipLab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology uses microfluidic chips, such as microarrays, to perform biochemical assays on a small scale. Benefits of lab-on-a-chip include the small volume of sample required as well as the speed of analysis. In selecting lab-on-a-chip devices consider the assay, cost, reliability, sensitivity and signal to noise ratio.Microplate Readers / DetectorsMicroplate readers are used to automate the detection and analysis of labeled or label-free components in microplates during assays or live-cell monitoring. Microplate readers are generally distinguished by their mode of detection. Types include absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence intensity, fluorescence polarization, TRF / FRET and multimode microplate readers. Microplate readers deliver a high throughput of samples by reading multiple wells simultaneously, with the 96-well format the most commonly used. As a result, microplate readers are often used in the drug discovery, bioassays, research and pharmaceutical industries for screening applications. Microplate loading can also be automated, with robotic microplate stackers to increase throughput. Find the best microplate readers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Sample ManagementSample management systems include sample storage devices such as freezers and plate storers, sample environment enclosures and sample organization, retrieval and sorter systems. Useful system features include high-throughput, automation, robotic arms, automated liquid handling and associated database systems. Accessories in sample management include barcode scanners, heat sealers and tubes.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.Biopharmaceutical AdvancesBiopharmaceutical advances follow the development of pharmaceuticals derived from biotechnology, also known as biotechnology medicines. Biopharmaceuticals may be produced from cell lines, plants, or microbial cells. Important considerations of biopharmaceutical use include application, cost, production process and purification.Compound AnalysisCompound analysis is used to discover specific compounds that could be promising candidates for pharmaceutical use. This potential is identified when compounds have the desired effect, such as interaction with a target protein, during high throughput screening.

Related articles

Astech Projects Launch the “Astech Automation Challenge”