SLAS 2020 was held in San Diego, California this year January 25-29 and introduced an exciting collection of product innovations for the life sciences. In addition to product innovations, SLAS 2020 had a variety of speakers covering topics in best practices and the latest cutting-edge research. Speakers from leading research institutions included Harvard, Genentech, AstraZeneca, and UCSF. Short courses, designed to help build technical knowledge in a variety of topics and technologies, were offered including 3D printing in your lab, data analytics with KNIME, flow cytometry, and small molecule discovery.
Key Product Highlight
Among the many exciting technologies showcased at SLAS 2020, key innovations that were presented included a variety of exciting technologies. The following is an overview of some of the key products highlighted this year at SLAS.
I. Microscopy and Imaging
axiVend (Orlando, FL) presented the Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor (IRIS), designed to provide label-free biomolecular interaction analysis with sensitive kinetic binding measurement (<250Da molecular weight) capability for a variety of analytes. The IRIS platform offers quantitative and repeatable analysis, with compatibility to low cost and disposable sensor chips and microfluidic cartridges.
BioTek Instruments’ (Winooski, VT) exciting Cytation™ 7 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader utilizes automated digital upright and inverted widefield microscopy with multi-mode microplate reading. This ensures that users can apply the Cytation™ 7 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader to a broad range of imaging and multi-mode detection applications.
Cell Microsystems Inc. (Durham, NC) has designed the CellRaft AirTM 540 system with 5 channel fluorescence and 3 magnification levels to analyze cells on a microwell array. With subcellular detection features, the CellRaft Air 540 system can automatically isolate cells of interest.
GE Healthcare Life Sciences (Chicago, IL) have developed the BioAssemblyBot® and IN Cell Analyzer Agile Biofabricaiton System, the first integrated 3D bioprinter and confocal scanner. This revolutionary system will optimize high-throughput production of 3D tissue models and related applications.
Implen Inc. (Munich, Germany) demonstrated the NanoPhotometer© N120, a UV/Vis multi-channel microvolume spectrophotometer, that conducts a rapid full scan analysis of up to 12 samples per 20 second run. Optional CFR21 software and LIMS compatibility is provided.
Ramona Optics, Inc (Durham, NC) showcased the MCAM Falcon microscope. The MCAM Falcon utilizes machine learning and novel optics to capture unprecedented field-of-views of cellular images, hundreds of square centimeters in a single snapshot.
Revolution Biosciences LLC (Boston, MA) presented their Molecular Imaging Microplate, which enables microscopy and mass spectrometry on your region of interest.
Vision Research’s (Wayne, NJ) Phantom S640 High-Speed Machine Vision Camera is capable of 1,480 fps at full 2560 x 1600 resolution and up to 25,000 fps at lower resolutions. Optimized to allow users to image more cells and cell characteristics in cytometry applications.
II. Lab Management and Automated Systems
Benchling (San Francisco, CA) has developed their software solution, Benchling for Lab Automation, to optimize the functionality of robotics and lab automation in the R&D space. Their software aims to develop scientific platforms faster while maximizing visibility for scientists and managers in experimental context, program performance, and resource utilization.
Biosero’s (San Diego, CA) GBG Dashboard™ is a visualization software that enables users to optimize process oversight by displaying outputs from Green Button Go™ Automation Scheduling Software across several workcells. Additional advantages presented by GBG Dashboard™ include identifying bottlenecks and instrument utilization opportunities.
Curiox Biosystems (Woburn, MA)introduced the Laminar Wash™ AUTO 1000 System is a fully automated system designed to reduce user variability for surface and intracellular staining. Enhanced quantitative results and reproducibility aid the user’s research aims and makes this system a solid laboratory consideration.
LabTwin (Berlin, Germany) showcased the Voice-Powered Digital Lab Assistant, which works with scientists to collect data, connect internal and external information streams, support experiments and streamline documentation initiatives.
Opentrons Labworks (Brooklyn, NY) revealed their Fully Automated Thermocycler. With a 96 well capacity, optimal ramp-rates and uniformity the Fully Automated Thermocycler sits on the OT-2 liquid handling robot.
Peak Analysis and Automation’s (Colorado Springs, CO) KX-2 Laboratory Robot delivers continuous 360-degree rotation on the shoulder and wrist axes enabling optimization and increased throughput.
PerkinElmer (Waltham, MA) presented the Sciclone® G3 NGSx HT Workstation, provides automation and miniaturization of complex NGS library construction kits for a fraction of the cost of traditional workflows.
ViQi, Inc. (Santa Barbara, CA) showcased their ViQi, an advanced cloud platform designed to support large-scale and complex data storage, visualization, analysis, and validation.
III. Cell Culture Technology
Berkeley Lights, Inc. (Emeryville, California) Culture Station enables researchers to find cells significantly faster by increasing scope, scale and throughput of the BLI optofluidic platforms via independent, off-platform culture of eight OptoSelect™ chips.
Rigenerand’s (Medolla, Italy) VITVO 3D bioreactor for rapid cell colonization. The VITVO allows in vitro real reconstruction of tissue complexity in an environment close to in-vivo.
IV. Tube Labeling
Brooks Life Sciences (Indianapolis, IN) showcased their IntelliXmark HT, an automated platform designed to mark a large range of sample tubes. With all the functionality of the IntelliXmark, the IntelliXmark HT add the addition of an automated platform that has optimal flexibility and ease of use.
Cab Technology, Inc (Chelmsford, MA) demonstrated the AXON 1 and 2 semi-automatic tube labeling system. The AXON 1 is designed to integrate with LIMS into any lab for easy labeling. The AXON 2 works as an attachment to the SQUIX 4M thermal printer (available in 300 and 600 dpi).
V. Sensor and Thermal Technologies
C-CIT (New York, New York) presented their C-CITSens MeMO Sensor which enables online and continuous in-situ measurement of lactate and glucose in a defined cell culture media and complex matrices.
Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, MA) designed the ALPS 5000 Heat Sealer for next generation in plate sealing. With rapid sealing times, increased process customization and full electronic operation for optimized reliability and noise reduction.
VI. Pressure Controllers
Clippard’s (Cincinnati, OH) Cordis Electronic Pressure Controls are micro-controllers that enable steady and repeatable downstream pressure. This flexible pressure controller ensures stable control as demand and processes change yielding precision and linear pressure control within a closed-loop system. Certainly, an exciting innovation for ultra-high resolution and repeatability.
VII. PCR Technologies
COMBiNATi’s (Palo Alto, CA) |Q| Digital PCR Platform contains a 16-sample microtiter-format disposable plates (SLAS standard) in a single integrated instrument. This is the only dPCR platform that possesses a walkaway workflow, ultralow dead volume and optimized multiplexity.
DeepDiveBio, Inc. (San Diego, CA) displayed their MultiTherm™ 96, capable of full automation, cloud-based thermal cycling. The MultiTherm™ 96 can perform simultaneous monitoring, controlling and recording the temperature at each well with independent, highly parallelized PCR capabilities.
VIII. Fluid Handling, Dosing Systems and Mixing Technologies
HNPM Corporation’s (Schaumburg, IL) LiquiDoS is a versatile dosing system with configuration customized to each laboratory. The graphical user interface provides easy programming, reproducibility, and rapid interchanging between manual and automated dosing tasks.
Nicoya (Kitchener, Canada) presented the Alto, the first SPR instrument to integrate digital microfluidics, nanotechnology and AI. The Alto is capable of continuous operation providing sample-in/answer-out data, high throughput, and limited maintenance at 500X less sample.
Gate Scientific, Inc. (Milpitas, CA) showcased their wireless smartSENSE pH stir bar to optimize basic laboratory procedures. The smartSENSE pH stir bar is able to provide continuous measurement and logging of pH for formulations, reactions and titrations without the use of external probes.
V&P Scientific, Inc (San Diego, CA) presented the SpinVessel which enables the user to mix and suspend particulates without a stir bar.