Biotage Extrahera LV-200 Sample Prep Workstation

Importance of the Topic

Automated sample preparation at low volumes is pivotal for modern analytical workflows in pharmaceutical research, clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and quality control. Reliable handling of microliter-scale samples enhances sensitivity, reduces reagent consumption, and improves data reproducibility. Integrating robust automation addresses challenges associated with manual pipetting and vacuum manifolds, particularly when processing viscous or precious samples.

Objectives and Overview

This application note introduces the Biotage Extrahera LV-200, a compact automated workstation engineered to process sample volumes from 5 to 800 µL. The system aims to combine manual-prep flexibility with full digital traceability, support Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) data integrity, and deliver consistent results in a small laboratory footprint.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The Extrahera LV-200 uses positive pressure-driven flow to ensure uniform solvent distribution and constant sample throughput, avoiding the variability common to vacuum manifolds. Key components include:

• An eight-channel pipette pump capable of 5–800 µL transfers with tip compatibility for 50, 200, and 1000 µL (including wide-bore) tips.
• A user-friendly 12″ touchscreen interface enabling intuitive method selection and execution without programming.
• Five independent solvent pumps with external reservoirs plus five manual reservoirs for gradient or multi-solvent protocols.
• A positive pressure unit adjustable from 0 to 5 bar for sample processing and up to 5 bar at 600 mL/min for plate drying.
• A modular deck accommodating six positions for samples, SPE plates, tip racks, solvent reservoirs, and waste collection.

Main Results and Discussion

Field evaluation demonstrates that positive pressure control maintains consistent flow rates across diverse sample viscosities, delivering high recoveries and uniform loading times. Accuracy and precision metrics for the pipetting module meet stringent CV requirements (e.g., ±2.5% at 50 µL, ±1.5% at 200 µL). GLP-ready software enables audit trails without specialized IT support, streamlines training, and reduces operator error.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High reproducibility in protein precipitation, supported liquid extraction (SLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), and biomolecule purification.
• Reduced sample and solvent consumption, cost savings, and minimized manual handling errors.
• Scalable workflows for bioanalysis, environmental assays, and QC labs needing traceable results.
• Flexible deck configuration supports multi-plate processing and integration of Biotage consumables (Mikro SPE, EVOLUTE plates, ISOLUTE PPT+ and PLD+).

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging directions include integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), AI-driven method optimization, higher throughput formats, and further miniaturization for single-cell and microfluidic applications. Remote monitoring and cloud-based data management will enhance collaboration across global research sites.

Conclusion

The Biotage Extrahera LV-200 addresses the critical need for precise, reproducible low-volume sample preparation in regulated and high-throughput environments. Its positive pressure design, intuitive interface, and GLP capabilities standardize workflows, reduce variability, and support a wide range of analytical applications.

Reference

No external references were provided in the source document.