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Project

HiTMan: a versatile and flexible high-throughput microbe handler for automation of complex experimental procedures and rapid phenotypic characterization (HITMan)

Microbes are often used as models to study complex processes. Large experiments with microbes are also used to develop new antibiotics or superior industrial microbes. In many cases, the success of a project relies on testing hundreds or thousands of cells, strains or compounds. Advances in robotics have now enabled automating these tests. We apply for a versatile, state-of-the-art microbehandling robot that is custom-designed to meet the needs of each of the 17 applicants. The set-up allows to carry out a wide range of protocols in an automated way, starting from the cultivation step to ultimately phenotypic characterization, such as antibiotic resistance, fluorescence measurement and many more. It will drastically improve experimental throughput, allowing us to generate and test thousands of new variants. This will enable us to test scientific ideas much quicker, further promoting our strategic basic research and stimulate valorization through creation and discovery of novel antibiotics, probiotics or superior industrial microbes. The platform is highly flexible and expandable, so that it can be easily integrated into new, as yet unknown protocols, ensuring long-term usability. 
 

Date:1 May 2020 →  Today
Keywords:microbe handler, phenotypic characterization
Disciplines:Microbial diagnostics