Tecan and Applied Biosystems develop automated analyser for forensic DNA

21 February 2007

Durham, NC, USA. Tecan has launched the HID EVOlution System for the automated analysis of forensic DNA casework samples. This new system was developed in collaboration with Applied Biosystems, an Applera Corporation business.

It integrates Tecan's liquid handling workstation with Applied Biosystems' 7500 Real Time PCR System, 3130xl Genetic Analyzer and Quantifiler and AmpFlSTR DNA testing kits. Based on Tecan's versatile and flexible Freedom EVO 150 robotic platform, the liquid handling workflow for sample quantitation, normalization and short tandem repeat (STR)-PCR set-up has been fully automated in this new standardized system.

The HID EVOlution System utilizes Tecan's Freedom EVOware Standard software and a specialized Applied Biosystems application wizard which minimizes labour-intensive processes involved in forensic casework analysis. In addition, the system maintains chain of custody by tracking samples using Tecan's PosID positive identification system barcode scanner.

This is the first commercially available platform for human identification developed to assure the efficient import and export of data between Tecan and Applied Biosystems instrumentation. The HID EVOlution is expected to allow laboratories to reduce the amount of time required to process forensic casework samples, allowing them to manage higher throughputs in their laboratories.

"Routine, labour-intensive tasks required to process DNA samples have been hampering forensic laboratories from being as efficient and productive as they could be," said Bob Barrett, Vice President and General Manager, Applied Markets Division, Applied Biosystems. "By combining resources to develop a solution that automates the analysis of forensic casework samples, Applied Biosystems and Tecan aim to significantly reduce the amount of time and effort needed to process samples in existing laboratories."

Tecan specializes in the development, production, and distribution of advanced automation solutions enabling pharma and academic research, diagnostics, food and veterinary research as well as forensics. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has manufacturing, research and development sites in both North America and Europe and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries.

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