{"id":6847,"date":"2024-08-29T16:18:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T16:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/?p=6847"},"modified":"2026-09-09T17:17:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T17:17:28","slug":"five-advantages-of-applying-liquid-handling-automation-to-metabolomics-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/five-advantages-of-applying-liquid-handling-automation-to-metabolomics-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Advantages of Applying Liquid Handling Automation to Metabolomics Research"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"479\" height=\"644\" src=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image001-3-edited.jpg\" alt=\"image001\" class=\"wp-image-6853\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image001-3-edited.jpg 479w, https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image001-3-edited-223x300.jpg 223w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 479px) 100vw, 479px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Marcel Kwiatowski<br>Institute of Biochemistry , University of Innsbruck<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amino acids (AAs) and their metabolites are important building blocks, energy sources, and signaling molecules associated with various pathological phenotypes. The quantification of AA and tryptophan (TRP) metabolites in human serum and plasma is therefore of great diagnostic interest. Consequently, robust, reproducible sample extraction and processing workflows along with rapid, sensitive absolute quantification are required to identify candidate biomarkers and to improve screening methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Researchers in the Lab for Bioanalytics &amp; Intermediary Metabolism at the University of Innsbruck\u2019s Institute of Biochemistry, including Dr. Marcel Kwiatowski, have developed and validated a semi-automated robotic liquid extraction and processing workflow using the Andrew+ Robot and Extraction+ Device, followed by a rapid method for absolute quantification of 20 free, underivatized AAs and six TRP metabolites using dual-column U(H)PLC-MRM-MS. The extraction and sample preparation workflow in a 96-well plate was optimized for robust, reproducible high sample throughput, allowing samples to be transferred directly to the UHPLC autosampler without additional cleanup steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following information is directly derived from the article, \u201c<em>Automated Liquid Handling Extraction and Rapid Quantification of Underivatized Amino Acids and Tryptophan Metabolites from Human Serum and Plasma Using Dual-Column U(H)PLC-MRM-MS and Its Application to Prostate Cancer Study<\/em>\u201d, published on June 30th, 2024 in the journal <em>Metabolites<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_2ac08b-6a .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_2ac08b-6a .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6847_2ac08b-6a\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Reduced operator variability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Semi-automated extractions resulted in&nbsp;significantly less variation&nbsp;for both endogenous AAs and internal standards (ISTDs) compared to manual extractions achieved by two experienced operators.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"988\" height=\"542\" src=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/43140cb0-acc5-4ac4-a32d-ae8d52f38050.jpg\" alt=\"43140cb0 acc5 4ac4 a32d ae8d52f38050\" class=\"wp-image-6851\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/43140cb0-acc5-4ac4-a32d-ae8d52f38050.jpg 988w, https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/43140cb0-acc5-4ac4-a32d-ae8d52f38050-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/43140cb0-acc5-4ac4-a32d-ae8d52f38050-768x421.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 988px) 100vw, 988px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_84495d-5c .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_84495d-5c .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6847_84495d-5c\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Increased reproducibility and precision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The semi-automated workflow designed provided high reproducibility for both serum and plasma samples. With the exception of four analytes, the rest showed&nbsp;CV values less than 20%&nbsp;and a mean intra-assay variability of 9.2% for serum samples and 8.8% for plasma samples.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3ecd9b43-ec25-44a0-8b52-085ebbe7c19e.jpg\" alt=\"3ecd9b43 ec25 44a0 8b52 085ebbe7c19e\" class=\"wp-image-6852\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3ecd9b43-ec25-44a0-8b52-085ebbe7c19e.jpg 538w, https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3ecd9b43-ec25-44a0-8b52-085ebbe7c19e-300x245.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_e19848-83 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_e19848-83 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6847_e19848-83\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Improved throughput and streamlining of complex workflows<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The semi-automated method was designed for use in a 96-well plate format directly compatible with the autosampler of the UHPLC-MS system. Thanks to this automation-friendly format,&nbsp;samples can be transferred directly to the UHPLC autosampler and analyzed by mass spectrometry without further SPE, evaporation, and\/or buffer exchange.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The short 7.9-minute LC-MS analysis time&nbsp;makes this assay ideal for analyzing large numbers of samples in clinical and epidemiological population studies.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_99cca1-fe .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_99cca1-fe .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6847_99cca1-fe\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Rapid method creation, optimization, and validation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur Master\u2019s student set up optimized and validated an entire amino acid extraction workflow from plasma and serum within three months using the Andrew+ Robot and OneLab Software.&#8221; \u2013 Dr. Marcel Kwiatkowski, Lab for Bioanalytics &amp; Intermediary Metabolism, Institute of Biochemistry at University of Innsbruck<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_b71b3c-fb .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_b71b3c-fb .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6847_b71b3c-fb\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Optimized use of reagents and samples<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The semi-automated workflow using methanol for deproteinization, two clearance steps, and conical well plates required only 20 \u03bcL of human plasma or serum.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_2a2a61-ed .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6847_2a2a61-ed .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6847_2a2a61-ed\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Transform your workflow with automated liquid handling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Automated liquid handling can increase robustness, reproducibility, accuracy, traceability, optimized chemical consumption, and throughput compared to manual pipetting. Miniaturized liquid handling platforms and robotic pipetting systems (like the Andrew+ Robot) offer highly modular, flexible, and easily programmable solutions. They simplify laboratory workflows and enable automated, robust, reproducible, and traceable sample processing of large sample volumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Explore the resources below to expand your knowledge on the value of automation in improving your laboratory\u2019s workflow efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2218-1989\/14\/7\/370\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read the Article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Amino acids (AAs) and their metabolites are important building blocks, energy sources, and signaling molecules associated with various pathological phenotypes. The quantification of AA and tryptophan (TRP) metabolites in human serum and plasma is therefore of great diagnostic interest. Consequently, robust, reproducible sample extraction and processing workflows along with rapid, sensitive absolute quantification are required&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"featured_media":3619,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"Five Advantages of Applying Liquid Handling Automation to Metabolomics Research","_seopress_titles_desc":"Researchers in the Lab for Bioanalytics & Intermediary Metabolism at the University of Innsbruck\u2019s Institute of Biochemistry developed and validated a semi-automated robotic liquid extraction and processing workflow using the Andrew+ Robot and Extraction+ Device.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"both","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":301,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[763,61,766,169,767],"class_list":["post-6847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pharmaceutical","tag-andrew-robot","tag-bioanalysis","tag-extraction-connected-device","tag-metabolite-identification","tag-metabolomics"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":25,"label":"Pharmaceutical"}],"post_tag":[{"value":763,"label":"Andrew+ Robot"},{"value":61,"label":"bioanalysis"},{"value":766,"label":"Extraction+ Connected Device"},{"value":169,"label":"metabolite identification"},{"value":767,"label":"Metabolomics"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/adobestock_253015760-1024x684.jpeg",1024,684,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Waters Staff","author_link":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/author\/waters_staff\/"},"comment_info":"","category_info":[{"term_id":25,"name":"Pharmaceutical","slug":"pharmaceutical","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":25,"taxonomy":"category","description":"We bring high-value technologies designed to solve critical, analytical problems. 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