Video: What Does a Robot-Run Laboratory Look Like?
Nikita G. Sidorov/Shutterstock.com
There are a lot fewer coffee breaks.
People are getting their DNA tested at an increasing rate to see their risk factors for certain cancers or to find out what genes they'll potentially pass on to their children.
Counsyl, a genetic testing company, developed one of the world's first automated DNA testing laboratories. The lab can process thousands of samples per day without any human help. The system runs 24 hours a day.
"It's definitely a beautiful symphony of chaos," said Kyle Lapham, vice president of automation at Counsyl. "We design systems to very accurately and precisely move tiny bits of fluid from place to place. Our robots perform these experiments insanely high precision."
Ultimately, the company says this makes the cost of genetic testing more affordable and frees scientists and technicians to do the important work, analyzing your DNA.
To see the robots in action, check out the video below from Wired:
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