Hamilton Launches Compact BiOS Automated Systems that Store 100K to More than 1 Million Samples

At the ISBER 2014 Annual Meeting, Hamilton Storage Technologies introduced Hamilton BiOS® M and L, two compact, high-density automated systems designed to fit into existing laboratories that require ultra-low-temperature storage of sensitive biological samples. These flexible, energy-efficient and scalable systems ensure the viability of 100,000 to over one million long-term samples.

Laboratories depend on biobanks to supply well-annotated, high-quality samples that are collected within appropriate ethical parameters and under infallible conditions. The BiOS M and L are ideal for forensic applications, and medium-sized research and clinical repositories. Samples are held in labware that is both tracked and picked automatically without human intervention, thus avoiding the risk of inadvertent warming and degraded sample integrity.

“By adding smaller configurations of our high-capacity BiOS -80° C storage system more labs have access to state-of-the-art sample storage within steps of their sample preparation and analysis stations,” said Martin Frey, Ph.D., Head of Storage Technologies, Hamilton Bonaduz AG. “This reduces the likelihood that results may be compromised.”

The original BiOS and largest system, BiOS XL, is designed for very large biological sample collections, such as large clinical biorepositories and population-based biobanks, and holds 250,000 to more than 10 million samples. All samples within BiOS systems are stored in -80° C chest freezer compartments to maintain temperature stability. All internal workflows, including sample picking, are optimized to keep samples at ultra-low temperatures at all times. System parts are easily accessible for service and maintenance, while 1-D and 2-D barcode reading and sample tracking provide complete chain-of-custody documentation, with software tools to support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Multiple backup systems ensure that samples stay at -80° C even in emergencies.

BiOS systems can store and process multiple labware types, and they integrate seamlessly with Hamilton liquid handling robotics for additional tracking and hands-free, high-throughput sample preparation.