Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform: 384-Channel 30 μL Tip Accuracy and Precision

Significance of the Topic

Automated liquid handling platforms are critical in modern laboratories to scale sample throughput while ensuring high accuracy and precision. By eliminating manual pipetting variability, these systems reduce error rates and support reproducible workflows in fields such as drug discovery, genomics, and cell-based assays.

Objectives and Study Overview

This technical overview evaluates the accuracy and precision of the Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform fitted with a 384-channel ST disposable tip head (30 µL tips) at low-volume dispenses (0.5, 1, and 5 µL). The goal was to determine whether performance meets or exceeds predefined criteria (CV ≤ 5% and accuracy ± 10%).

Methodology

• A tartrazine solution (0.25% w/v in DMSO) was placed in a manual fill reservoir; plates were filled with water post-dispense to reach 50 µL total volume.
• Dispensing was controlled via Agilent VWorks software with preaspirate and blowout steps; parameters included specific aspirate/dispense heights and volumes.
• After dispensing and water addition, plates were centrifuged at 1800 rpm for 60 seconds, then absorbance was measured at 405 nm to quantify delivered volumes.

Instrumentation

• Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform with 384-channel ST disposable tip head (30 µL tips).
• Agilent 384-well manual fill reservoir.
• Greiner 384-well polystyrene flat-bottom plates.
• UV/Vis spectrophotometer with a 405 nm filter.
• Agilent VWorks automation control software.

Main Results and Discussion

• At 0.5 µL: precision 2.7% CV, accuracy ± 5.0%; outliers (5% threshold) occurred in 67 wells.
• At 1 µL: precision 2.1% CV, accuracy ± 1.0%; fewer outliers observed.
• At 5 µL: precision 1.1% CV, accuracy ± 1.0%, with no significant outliers.
• Dispense times per 384-well plate were 22 s for low-volume dispenses and 37 s for 5 µL.
• Performance above 5 µL matched or improved on the 5 µL results, demonstrating reliable operation across the 0.5–30 µL range.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High accuracy and precision at sub-microliter volumes enable reliable assay miniaturization and reagent conservation.
• Configurable deck with thermal stations and shaking modules supports diverse applications (compound transfers, genomic workflows, cell plating).
• Compact footprint and laminar-flow compatibility facilitate integration in sterile environments and robotic systems.

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Further miniaturization to sub-nanoliter dispensing for ultra-high-throughput screening.
• Integration with AI-driven calibration and error-correction routines to optimize performance in real time.
• Expanded support for cell-based assays with environmental control for long-term cell culture workflows.
• Development of digital twins and advanced software analytics for predictive maintenance and process optimization.

Conclusion

The Agilent Bravo platform equipped with a 384-channel ST tip head and 30 µL disposable tips delivers robust, accurate, and precise liquid handling across a 0.5–30 µL range. Its modular design and reliable performance make it an ideal solution for laboratories seeking to automate and scale complex workflows without compromising data quality.

References

• Holman JW, Mifflin TE, Felder RA, Demers LM. Evaluation of an automated preanalytical robotic workstation at two academic health centers. Clin Chem. 2002 Mar;48(3):540-8.