SLAS2020 Short Courses

Introduction to Laboratory Automation

This course presents a broad introduction to laboratory automation in the R&D laboratory environment (i.e. non-clinical). A general understanding of a laboratory environment is helpful.

Who Should Attend

Those with little or no experience with laboratory automation, seeking an introductory overview of the topic, including scientists, engineers, lab managers, marketing or sale professionals and students.

Course Benefits

• Understand the challenges, costs and benefits of bringing an assay from the bench to an automated system
• Learn methods of planning and executing successful automation projects
• Appreciate the strategy and technical features that make up a successful automated system
• Become aware of up and downstream impacts of lab automation
• Learn about current and future lab automation technologies
• Develop an understanding of the issues, strategies and tools for managing data from automated systems

Course Topics

• From Bench to System: Challenges in Translating Assays to Automation; Strategies for Process Analysis and System Design
• Organizational Strategies Critical to Successful Operation, Monitoring and Maintenance of Automation Platforms
• Laboratory Automation Systems: Instrumentation and Architecture
• Programming Automation Systems: Schedulers; Method Building; Graphical Programming
• Identifying and Mitigating Upstream and Downstream Impacts of Automation
• Managing Data: Assay Outcomes; System Metrics; Integration with LIMS; Connected Laboratories
• Automation Technologies: Current Trends and Tools

Instructors

Ben Carvalho Automation Specialist Ben Carvalho started his career in the lab as a biologist doing High Throughput Screening. He then transitioned to automation early in his career and has now been integrating laboratory robotics and instrumentation for 20 years. He has a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Computer Science.

Peter Chase Bristol-Myers Squibb Peter Chase has more than 16 years experience as an automation engineer / scientist in the field of drug discovery executing HTS, lead evaluation/profiling and compound management operations. He is currently a Senior Research Scientist II managing Core Automation teams responsible for Lead Discovery and Lead Evaluation Small Molecule screening automation within the Leads Discovery and Optimization department. He is a Schreyer Honors College Graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.