Capitainer has launched a fully automated sample handler that enables large-scale screening and diagnostics using the company’s self-sampling products. This technology effectively cuts down on the number of manual steps and reduces the time that laboratory staff spend preparing Capitainer samples for analysis.
The first unit has been delivered to the Affinity Proteomics-Stockholm Unit at SciLifeLab, a leading Swedish research centre in life sciences, medicine and the environment.
Capitainer’s new, fully automated sample handler paves the way for new possibilities in large-scale diagnostics and screening by means of self-sampling with high precision and reliability.
“This new instrument allows us to manage large-scale studies in a very efficient and quality-assured way. We have worked with Capitainer samples for several years and developed methods for analysis on many different platforms. Now we can work on major projects where our infrastructure and expertise can help bring about new advances in research,” says Claudia Fredolini, Head of the Affinity Proteomics Unit at SciLifeLab.
Capitainer’s patented self-sampling products are based on patients taking blood samples, themselves or with assistance, using a special sampling card. This card is designed to automatically measure a precise amount of blood, which is then dried and protected in the card. The sampling card containing the blood sample is then sent by standard post to the laboratory for analysis – with no need for refrigerated transport or special packaging.
The new, fully automated sample handler PA496 (Pre-analytical Automation 4 x 96 for Capitainer) is able to handle large volumes of sampling cards, processing up to 400 samples at a time. The sample handler transfers the dried blood samples from Capitainer cards to designated wells in 96-well plates. The ID number of each sample is scanned, and the dried blood samples are photographed to ensure the highest standards in terms of sample quality and traceability.
The PA496 has been developed in partnership with Intema and is produced exclusively for Capitainer.