TECAN EVO100+96 Magnetic Bead Handling Workstation for Nucleic Acid Extraction and PCR Setup (OEM)

Overview

The TECAN EVO100+96 Magnetic Bead Handling Workstation is an OEM-integrated liquid handling platform engineered for fully automated, walk-away nucleic acid purification and downstream PCR reaction setup in molecular diagnostics, clinical research, and high-throughput genomics laboratories. Built upon TECAN’s proven EVO platform architecture, this configuration combines a 20-position deck layout with a dedicated 96-channel magnetic bead processing module—including integrated barcode scanning—to execute sequential lysis, binding, washing, elution, and master mix dispensing steps under programmable protocol control. The system operates on the principle of magnetic particle separation (MPS), where paramagnetic beads functionalized with silica or carboxyl groups selectively bind nucleic acids in the presence of chaotropic salts and ethanol-based buffers; subsequent magnetic immobilization enables rapid, wash-free removal of contaminants. This workflow eliminates centrifugation, reduces manual intervention, and ensures high reproducibility across sample types including whole blood, serum, plasma, saliva, urine, and swab eluates.

Key Features

• Integrated 96-channel magnetic bead module with real-time position verification and automatic magnet height calibration for consistent bead capture efficiency.
• Barcode scanning subsystem compliant with GS1-128 and Code 128 standards, enabling full traceability from tube rack to final PCR plate—critical for ISO 15189 and CLIA-certified workflows.
• Modular deck design accommodating up to 20 standardized labware positions: deep-well plates (96/384), PCR strips, reservoirs, tip boxes, and waste containers—supporting flexible assay development without hardware reconfiguration.
• Positive-displacement pipetting capability (0.5–5000 µL) with air displacement compatibility, ensuring accuracy across viscous lysates and low-volume eluates without carryover or cross-contamination.
• Robust mechanical architecture with ISO Class 5 (Class 100) cleanroom-rated enclosure options and HEPA-filtered laminar airflow integration for contamination-sensitive applications.
• OEM-ready software interface (via Freedom EVOware v12.x or newer) supporting custom script deployment, audit trail generation, and electronic signature compliance per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The workstation supports direct processing of primary clinical specimens without pre-dilution or pretreatment, including anticoagulated whole blood (EDTA/K₂EDTA), serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and nasopharyngeal swab transport media. All protocols adhere to ISO 20387:2018 (biobanking) and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (testing laboratory competence) framework principles. When configured with validated reagent kits (e.g., QIAGEN QIAamp, Thermo Fisher KingFisher Flex-compatible chemistries), the system meets performance criteria outlined in CLSI EP12-A2 and USP for nucleic acid extraction efficiency (>95% recovery), purity (A260/A280 ≥ 1.7), and inhibitor removal (PCR inhibition ≤ 5%). Full documentation packages—including IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, risk assessments (ISO 14971), and cybersecurity validation reports—are available upon request for GxP-regulated environments.

Software & Data Management

Controlled via TECAN’s Freedom EVOware software suite, the system provides role-based access control (RBAC), timestamped audit trails with immutable log entries, and configurable electronic signatures aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 and EU GMP Annex 11. Raw instrument logs, protocol execution records, and barcode scan histories are stored in encrypted SQLite databases with optional synchronization to LIMS via HL7 v2.5 or RESTful API endpoints. Data export supports CSV, XML, and PDF formats compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 reporting requirements. Optional integration with LabVantage or STARLIMS enables automated result routing to downstream analysis pipelines—including qPCR Cq value parsing and NGS library QC dashboards.

Applications

• High-throughput viral RNA/DNA extraction for SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV, and other respiratory pathogens in centralized diagnostic labs.
• Automated preparation of cfDNA and ctDNA libraries for liquid biopsy workflows requiring sub-nanogram input sensitivity.
• End-to-end automation of multiplex PCR panels (e.g., gastrointestinal pathogen panels, antimicrobial resistance gene screening) with integrated master mix dispensing and template addition.
• Biobank-scale processing of longitudinal biospecimens under GLP conditions, with full chain-of-custody tracking from receipt to storage.
• Research-grade nucleic acid isolation for single-cell sequencing, methylation profiling, and long-read sequencing library construction.

FAQ

Does the EVO100+96 support both magnetic bead-based and column-based nucleic acid purification methods?

No—this configuration is optimized exclusively for magnetic bead separation workflows. Column-based protocols require alternative pipetting modules and vacuum manifolds not included in this OEM package.
Can the system be validated for use in regulated clinical diagnostics (e.g., CE-IVD or FDA 510(k) settings)?

Yes—TECAN provides comprehensive validation documentation packages and supports site-specific IQ/OQ/PQ execution by certified engineers. Final regulatory approval remains the responsibility of the OEM partner.
Is remote monitoring and troubleshooting supported?

Yes—through TECAN’s ConnectCloud™ service layer, which enables secure remote diagnostics, firmware updates, and predictive maintenance alerts via TLS 1.2-encrypted connections.
What is the typical throughput for a complete 96-sample run including extraction and PCR setup?

Approximately 90 minutes, assuming standard commercial kit chemistry and ambient temperature operation. Cycle time may vary ±12% depending on reagent viscosity, ambient humidity, and deck layout optimization.
Are third-party tips and consumables compatible?

Only TECAN-certified tips (e.g., FCA, FCA-L, and DITI series) are guaranteed for precision and leakage prevention. Non-certified consumables may compromise accuracy and void warranty coverage.