Benefits of automating liquid handling

Or why automation scientists think their results are better than yours

Increased accuracy & precision

A robot is usually designed to do something tedious, repetitively, with little to no difference between runs. An automated liquid handler produces inherently more reproducible results with limited variation between repeats to a degree that humans struggle to achieve. And not just because a robot won’t lose its train of thought when someone tries to talk to it.

Optimised liquid use

Spending 5 minutes to slow a flow rate or adding a pre-wet step can make a huge difference to the success of your workflow. Optimise the nuances of your pipette for your experiment and the liquid handler will recall that nuance for every aspiration or dispensation, forever more.

Reduced contamination

All microbiologists know that the fight against contamination is a constant battle. So anything that aids the maintenance of a sterile area can be invaluable. Automated liquid handlers are often self-contained enclosures. This minimises external factors, like air-flow from interfering and reduces the need for human contact. That’s safer for you and better for your experiment. Smaller liquid handlers, known as pipetting robots, can often be placed within a hood or clean room for an extra layer of protection. Some of the best contained automated liquid handlers will have an in-built UV light sterilisation protocol to prevent cross-experimental contamination.

Enhanced throughput

Automated liquid handlers are designed to handle different degrees of throughput. Some are huge, with 96-channel heads, completing the job of multiple scientists in significantly less time. Others have improved sample management, aided by barcode scanners, eliminating the risk of any mix-ups.

Few labs actually need super high-throughput automation and so they use smaller pipetting robots designed to improve on their existing manual workflows. All of the benefits of automated liquid handling with none of the wrist or wallet pain.

Lab efficiency

Automation isn’t just about completing the experiment faster and more accurately, it’s also about releasing you, the scientist, to focus on the more fun (and impactful) stuff. Like data analysis or publishing articles, no more repetitive strain injuries for you. A robot will complete the same task identically at every replicate, ensuring standard protocols are maintained throughout its lifetime. Experimental records are easier to manage, no more writing lengthy protocols in your lab book, just export and save the workflow file. Added bonus of making cross-lab collaborations a hell of a lot easier, no methodology miscommunications necessary.

Advanced experimental designs

With an automated liquid handling system, not only can you achieve better throughput, but they make generating more advanced experimental designs far simpler. No need to worry about getting lost in the middle of a 384-well plate anymore. If you’re feeling super clever, you could apply “Design of Experiment” theory to enhance your workflow with minimal confusion between factor/level combinations. An automated liquid handler offers advanced techniques for miniaturising experiments, enabling more precise handling of small volumes—especially helpful when conserving costly reagents—compared to manual methods.