Study is creating a bank of immortalised cell-lines derived from 14,000 children born in 1991 and 1992, to provide DNA for extensive and complex genetic analyses
Alspac, the Children of the 90s research project based at the University of Bristol, has recently taken delivery of a robotics enclosure system from Bigneat Containment Technology to be used for production of Epstein-Barr virus transformed cell-lines.
This is required for the ongoing work of Alspac, which is the largest population research project of its kind.
14,000 children born in 1991 and 1992 are being studied; their health, education and achievements are all being followed.
The study is focussed on both the environmental and genetic factors, which determine health and development.
Small differences in the genetic make-up of each individual affect the ways in which they grow up and the health problems to which they are susceptible.
In order to explore these genetic factors, the study is creating a bank of immortalised cell-lines derived from each child so that it will be possible to provide DNA for extensive and complex genetic analyses.
Central to this Wellcome Trust funded project is a robotic tissue culture system provided by Tecan and integrated by RTS Thurnall.
Working to Class II principles to provide operator and product protection, the enclosed liquid handling robot receives microplates via a track system from externally mounted automated incubators.
Also included in the design is the integral chute and collection box, for used tips.
Interlocks stop mistaken access during the process.
Bigneat robotics enclosures are custom finished, to take into account each specific manufacturer's robotic system dimensions and access needs.
