Tecan Unveils Fluent™ Laboratory Automation Solutions

23 Jun 2014
Kerry Parker
CEO

Product news

Tecan has introduced the Fluent™ laboratory automation solution, the latest addition to its world-class laboratory automation portfolio. Fluent is a unique automation concept built around the application-specific needs of laboratories, delivering more capacity and greater speed. Initially focused on meeting the needs of cell biology workflows, Fluent is designed to offer end-to-end automation of cell-based and biochemical assay protocols, providing exceptional simplicity, productivity and confidence for the automation of experiments.

Fluent provides high precision, superior throughput and extended walkaway time, making it easier to get more done, more confidently. Completely new from the ground up, it is available in three sizes – offering deck capacities from 30 to 72 microplates – to suit the throughput requirements of almost any laboratory. It simplifies cell-based workflows by allowing flexible integration of all the complementary devices required – including incubators, washers and readers – into a single, fully automated system. Even complex assays can be automated using the platform’s intuitive FluentControl™ software and built-in touchscreen interface, freeing researchers to focus on what really matters – the results.

“Today’s research landscape looks different from yesterday’s, with customers wanting systems that are faster, more versatile and more cost efficient,” commented Dr Stefan Traeger, Executive VP and Head of the Tecan Life Sciences Business. “The Fluent laboratory automation solution has initially been developed to address the needs of cell biology laboratories as they move towards greater miniaturization and higher throughput assays, and our test sites and assay partners have been impressed by its speed and capabilities for automating even complex cell-based assays.”

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Sample PreparationSample preparation can improve the quality and speed of separation techniques. Products to assist sample preparation include filtration equipment, evaporators, membranes and sieves.High-Throughput ScreeningHigh-throughput screening (HTS) is an automated drug discovery technique for identification of active compounds against a compound library. Use HTS readers and integrated assay preparation / analysis workstations to screen your compounds. Identify active compounds against various HTS libraries, including membranes, proteins and peptides and HTS cell lines. Find the best high-throughput screening products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.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.Assay AssemblyAssay Assembly is technique used in drug discovery to develop assays to test the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or other activities of a compound on a cell. 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HCS uses fluorescent microscopic imaging and automated image analysis to investigate cellular events such as apoptosis, cell viability, GPCR activation, oxide production, neurite outgrowth, and cell signaling. Find the best fluorescent labeling reagents, cellular assays, and high-content imaging systems in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.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.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.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.Liquid Handling WorkstationLiquid handling workstations automate the process of sample preparation, improving accuracy and efficiency. These systems are essential for high-throughput applications in biological, chemical, and pharmaceutical research, reducing human error and increasing reproducibility. Workstations come equipped with robotic arms, pipetting tools, and other accessories to streamline lab workflows. Explore liquid handling workstations in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Assay DevelopmentThe process of proving an assay to be sensitive with respect to the target is known as assay development. The assay should be able to characterize novel compounds and measure the potency of these compounds against a validated biological target.