Automation of Digital PCR Nanoplate Setup

This white paper evaluates the automation of digital PCR (dPCR) nanoplate setup using the Eppendorf epMotion 5073 liquid handling system alongside the Qiagen QIAcuity platform. The study compares automated and manual liquid handling workflows, highlighting the potential for reduced pipetting errors and improved efficiency in high-throughput settings. The automated protocol encompasses sample dilution, reaction setup, and transfer to nanoplates, all executed by the epMotion system. Results indicate that the coefficient of variation for automated setups (5.12–5.22%) is comparable to manual pipetting (6.72%), with relative deviations ranging from 3–12%. The entire automated process takes approximately 30 minutes, utilizing the same number of pipette tips as manual methods. The findings support the adoption of the epMotion for routine and large-scale molecular biology applications, emphasizing the benefits of scalability, flexibility, and data traceability. The user-friendly interface of the epMotion software enhances workflow management and ensures consistent results.