This video highlights how the Precision Medicine Centre (PMC) is leveraging a genomic approach to identify novel tumor alterations, processing an impressive 3,500 samples annually. Initially, this high throughput necessitated a labor-intensive manual preparation process performed by three staff members, posing significant operational risks. The introduction of the Avenio Edge system marked a pivotal shift, making the PMC the first clinical research laboratory globally to install this instrument. Despite common challenges associated with implementing automated liquid handlers—such as diverse protocols, reliability concerns, and extensive training—the Avenio Edge was efficiently implemented and validated, contrasting sharply with the two years it took to resolve reproducibility issues with a previous system.
Summarizing the Precision Medicine Centre's Avenio Edge Implementation
0:00 Genomic Approach: The Precision Medicine Centre (PMC) uses a genomic approach to identify new alterations in tumor samples not previously tested.
0:14 High Sample Throughput: In the last 12 months, the PMC team processed approximately 3,500 tumor samples.
0:24 Manual Preparation Challenges: This high volume previously relied on three staff members for manual preparation, which was a significant burden and risk to the project.
0:33 Introduction of Avenio Edge: The situation improved with the arrival of the Avenio Edge system.
0:36 Global First: The PMC was the first clinical research laboratory worldwide to install an Avenio Edge instrument.
0:43 Implementation and Validation: A team member was assigned in January 2022 to implement and validate the instrument.
0:51 Common Automation Hurdles: Experience with automated liquid handlers typically involves significant challenges such as managing different protocols, reliability issues, and the need for lengthy, detailed staff training due to complex programming.
1:03 Previous Difficulties: The team had spent approximately two years resolving reproducibility issues with an existing liquid handler.
1:09 Avenio Edge Simplicity: In contrast, the Avenio Edge was found to be easy to set up and run.