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Catching on to Trends and Best Practices at SLAS2016 with This Year’s Show Program Chairs

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SelectScience® spoke to the Program Chairs of SLAS2016 to get their expert recommendations on what not to miss at this upcoming show

13 Jan 2016
Lois Manton-O'Byrne, PhD
Executive Editor

Editorial article

SelectScience® spoke to Dr Dino Di Carlo, Program Co-Chair of SLAS2016 to get his expert recommendations on what not to miss at this upcoming show

Every year, the Society of Laboratory Automation and Screening invites its membership of over 18,000 scientists to “Come Transform Research” at its yearly conferences, held across the USA. SelectScience® spoke to one of the Program Chairs of SLAS2016, Dr Dino Di Carlo, ahead of the conference later this month, to find out key themes he’s expecting to see this year, and why SLAS is the place to be. Plus, read our interview with Dr Di Carlo’s Co-Chair, Dr Douglas Auld.

“There is always something new to see”, explained Dr Di Carlo. “The program committee works hard to make SLAS a unique blend of industry, academics, and government attendees and presenters that you can't find anywhere else.” This year, SLAS is visiting San Diego, USA, bringing scientists “innovative developments on the technology and application side, as well as commercial players that have brought products to market”.

In particular, Dr Di Carlo mentioned some interesting themes for this year’s conference: “we have a session and keynote speaker devoted to automation in extreme environments, from deep underwater to Mars, which should really make folks think about the unique challenges and solutions that can be developed, and hopefully spark new ideas,” he revealed. “Microfluidics also continues to be highly visible in our technical program”, and is one track that Dr Di Carlo is sure to attend. “Our group is engineering new systems, diagnostic devices, and therapies that will directly improve patient well-being. By exploiting the quirky physics at the microscale, we aim to simultaneously reduce costs and enable new modes to diagnose and treat disease,” Dr Di Carlo explained.

Turning ideas into products

Checking out “newest startups in the field that are bridging the gap between idea and product” is something else Dr Di Carlo is really looking forward to. Innovation AveNEW is an initiative by SLAS to give start-up companies the opportunity to actively engage in a world-class event to grow their business and directly connect them with influencers and decision-makers from more than 40 countries. If you’re academic, you can also “learn how to make your work more relevant and able to reach people sooner”.

“Automation is critical for almost everything we do”, explained Dr Di Carlo. From “developing next-generation flow cytometers to fabricating large quantities of uniform gel microspheres to fill a wound, technologies to accelerate or automate tedious processes underlie all technological progress”, and Dr Di Carlo thinks he has the explanation: “people are fundamentally lazy!”

Are you going to SLAS2016? Make sure you’ve signed up to receive our free editorial pre-show guide!

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AutosamplersAutosamplers are automated sample loaders used with a number of separation and analytical techniques. HPLC autosamplers use automated partial or full-loop injection systems and place samples in vials or microplates for analysis. Autosamplers can also be used for elemental analysis. Features to consider include repeatability, syringe capacity, footprint and temperature controls.  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.Process ChemistryProcess chemistry is an important stage of drug development for scaling-up drug production or chemical synthesis reactions. It is useful for optimizing economical and efficient drug production. Process chemistry uses reactors and pump systems as well as reagents, standards and buffers.Robotic InstrumentsRobotic instruments can be used for high-throughput automation of many lab processes. Such processes use instruments for assays like cell based assays and ELISA, for sample preparation like shakers, centrifuges and incubators, and for analysis such as sequencing and western blot analyzers. Useful features of robotic instruments include speed, reproducibility, barcode readers, software and automation.Robotic WorkstationsRobotic workstations are automated platforms enabling the user to perform high-throughput, multi-application processes, from sample preparation tasks such as PCR set-up, DNA purification and NGS library preparation, to integrated sample prep and analysis workstations. Automation makes processes consistent, fast, precise and fully walk-away. Find the best robotic workstations in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Software PlatformsSoftware platforms are useful for various stages of laboratory experiments from data collection to data storage and processing. For instance lab software is available for system control, data management, data analysis and qualification / validation.Automation Supplies / AccessoriesAutomated accessories and consumables make lab processes fast, efficient and reliable. Useful automation accessories include microplate sealers, label printers and reagent reservoirs.Plate ProcessingAutomated plate processing is used in microplate technologies for high-throughput, speed and efficiency. Plate processing systems include microplate handlers for moving plates, heat sealers, stackers and carousels for storage, retrieval and delivery, microplate washers and piercers. Useful features of plate processors include walk-away automation, compatibility and easy integration with microplate systems.Automated Liquid HandlingAutomated liquid handling equipment is used to mix, dilute and dispense allotted volumes of liquid into microplates and other vessels automatically. The robotic, liquid handling arms can dispense from single channel to 3456 multichannel as well as operate nanoliter dispensing, enabling high throughput of samples. Find the best automated liquid handlers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.SLASThe Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) is an organization focused on laboratory automation, high-throughput screening, and biotechnology innovation. SLAS promotes scientific advancements through conferences, publications, and industry collaborations. AutomationAutomation in laboratories and manufacturing processes enhances efficiency, precision, and scalability by reducing the need for manual intervention. It plays a critical role in improving productivity, minimizing human error, and accelerating workflows in fields like diagnostics, drug development, and industrial testing. Automation technologies include robotic systems, automated liquid handlers, and process control systems that streamline complex tasks and ensure consistent, reproducible results. Explore our peer-reviewed product directory to discover the best automation solutions, compare options, read user reviews, and get prices directly from manufacturers.MicrofluidicsMicrofluidics is the science of manipulating small volumes of fluids in micro-sized channels. It is widely used in diagnostics, drug development, and lab-on-a-chip technologies. Microfluidic devices can enable rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput analysis of biological samples. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best microfluidic devices, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.ScreeningUsing robotics, data processing and control software, liquid handling devices and sensitive detectors, screening allows a researcher to quickly conduct millions of chemical, genetic or pharmacological tests.

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Catching on to Trends and Best Practices at SLAS2016 with This Year’s Show Program Chairs