Journal:Universal LIMS-based platform for the automated processing of cell-based assays

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Full article title Universal LIMS-based platform for the automated processing of cell-based assays
Journal Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering
Author(s) Schmieder, Florian; Polk, Christoph; Gottlöber, Felix; Schöps, Patrick; Sonntag, Frank; Deuse, Ronny; Jede, Aline; Petzold, Thomas
Author affiliation(s) Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, qualitype GmbH
Primary contact Email: florian dot schmieder at iws dot fraunhofer dot de
Year published 2019
Volume and issue 5(1)
Page(s) 437–40
DOI 10.1515/cdbme-2019-0110
ISSN 2364-5504
Distribution license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Website https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/cdbme.2019.5.issue-1/cdbme-2019-0110/cdbme-2019-0110.xml
Download https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/cdbme.2019.5.issue-1/cdbme-2019-0110/cdbme-2019-0110.xml (PDF)

Abstract

Nowadays, cell-based assays are an elementary tool for diagnostics, animal-free substance testing, and basic research. Depending on the application, the spectrum ranges from simple static cell cultures in microtiter plates to dynamic co-cultures in complex micro-physiological systems (organ-on-a-chip). Depending on the complexity of the assay, numerous working steps have to be performed and the data from different analysis systems have to be processed, combined, and documented. A universal platform has been developed for the automated handling of cell-based assays, which combines a laboratory information management system (LIMS) with a laboratory execution system (LES), a universal laboratory automation platform and established laboratory equipment. The LIMS handles the administration of all laboratory-relevant information, the planning, control, and monitoring of laboratory processes, as well as the direct and qualified processing of raw data. Using a kidney-on-a-chip system as an example, the realization of complex cell-based assays for the animal-free characterization of the toxicity of different antibiotics will be demonstrated. In the kidney-on-a-chip system, the artificial proximal tubular barrier was formed by seeding human immortalized proximal tubule cells (RPTEC) and human blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC) on ThinCert membranes. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured daily to evaluate the barrier function of the cellular layers. Fluid handling and TEER measurements were performed using a laboratory automation platform that communicates directly with the LIMS. The LES supported laboratory assistants in executing the manual handling steps of the experiments.

Keywords: LIMS, LES, SiLA, cell based assay, lab automation

Introduction: The challenge to automate cell-based assays

Cell-based assays are nowadays widely used in drug discovery[1], personalized medicine[2][3], and basic research. This is due to the fact that cell sources like immortalized cell lines and iPS derived cells[4] offer a new range of possibilities regarding the assay sensitivity and reproducibility. Moreover, these cell sources could be harvested and cultivated as donor-specific, resulting in a wide range of patient-specific assay options. As such, many clinical researchers are developing cell-based assays to predict drug-specific interactions in vitro. In many therapeutic schemes, interactions of drugs with kidney-specific cells of the tubular and/or glomerular compartment, as well as the disruption of the kidney barriers formed by those cells, are of major interest.[5] During the past decade, many steps of assay management, including media exchange and online monitoring via imaging, have been automated using laboratory automation platforms.[6][7] Nevertheless, these assays contain a multitude of steps, including initial cell seeding, supplementation, and measurement, which are executed manually. This could lead to a multitude of problems, particularly if during all the steps data integrity is not adequately considered. Therefore, laboratory informatics is needed to translate the tools of information technology into practical science by managing electronic records to optimize laboratory operations. Multiple systems may fulfill these requirements, including laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and scientific data management systems (SDMS).[8] Based on a nephrotoxicity assay, we will show how show how using a LIMS to integrate manual and automated workflows and complex datasets of different sources solves those issues.


References

  1. Hering, Y.; Berthier, A.; Duez, H. et al. (2018). "Development and implementation of a cell-based assay to discover agonists of the nuclear receptor REV-ERBα". Journal of Biological Methods 5 (3): e94. doi:10.14440/jbm.2018.244. PMC PMC6706147. PMID 31453244. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6706147. 
  2. Blom, K.; Nygren, P.; Alvarsson, J. et al. (2016). "Ex Vivo Assessment of Drug Activity in Patient Tumor Cells as a Basis for Tailored Cancer Therapy". Journal of Laboratory Automation 21 (1): 178–87. doi:10.1177/2211068215598117. PMID 26246423. 
  3. Blom, K.; Nygren, P.; Larsson, R. et al. (2017). "Predictive Value of Ex Vivo Chemosensitivity Assays for Individualized Cancer Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis". SLAS Technology 22 (3): 306-314. doi:10.1177/2472630316686297. PMID 28378608. 
  4. Rowe, R.G.; Daley, G.Q. (2019). "Induced pluripotent stem cells in disease modelling and drug discovery". Nature Reviews Genetics 20 (7): 377-388. doi:10.1038/s41576-019-0100-z. PMC PMC6584039. PMID 30737492. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6584039. 
  5. Schmieder, F.; Sradnick, J.; Hempel, M. et al. (28 September 2018). "Emulating gentamycin induced nephrotoxicity in an artificial system of the renal proximal tubule". ResearchGate. Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.12274.96960. 
  6. Schmieder, F.; Polk, C.; Eger, R. et al. (2014). "Robotic platform for the automated handling and monitoring of cell culture devices". Proceedings of Bionection 2014. doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.2468.4247. 
  7. Prabhu, G.R.D.; Urban, P.L. (2017). "The dawn of unmanned analytical laboratories". TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 88: 41–52. doi:10.1016/j.trac.2016.12.011. 
  8. Neubert, S.; Göde, B.; Gu, X. et al. (2017). "Potential of Laboratory Execution Systems (LESs) to Simplify the Application of Business Process Management Systems (BPMSs) in Laboratory Automation". SLAS Technology 22 (2): 206-216. doi:10.1177/2211068216680331. PMID 27908978. 

Notes

This presentation is faithful to the original, with only a few minor changes to presentation, spelling, and grammar. We also added PMCID and DOI when they were missing from the original reference.