Opentrons Flex Nucleic Acid Extraction Workstation

Description

This workstation is a dedicated automation solution for nucleic acid extraction and purification protocols. It utilizes the Opentrons Flex robotic base, which is a modular system featuring interchangeable pipettes, a gripper, and functional modules. The configuration is designed to automate magnetic bead-based extraction workflows, compatible with leading commercial reagent systems. Key automated steps include sample lysis through on-deck heating and agitation, followed by magnetic bead mixing and separation. The system supports pipetting across a 1 µL to 1000 µL volume range and is compatible with 96-well and 384-well plate formats. Users can operate the system directly via its integrated touchscreen or control it remotely using the Opentrons App or open-source APIs, aiming to standardize procedures, minimize manual errors, and increase throughput in sample preparation.