INTEGRA Biosciences’ ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot and VIAFLO electronic pipettes play a crucial role at Austrian company Solgate, supporting fast-paced research to unlock the therapeutic potential of solute carrier (SLC) transporters. The implementation of automated pipetting workflows is key to the development of streamlined, high throughput screening assays to discover and progress small molecules capable of modulating SLC activity, paving the way for new therapies for neurological, metabolic and inflammatory disorders.
This sponsored article was written by INTEGRA Biosciences.
SLCs – membrane proteins that control the cellular uptake and distribution of key nutrients, metabolites, signaling molecules and ions – are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Their dysfunction is linked to a wide range of conditions, including metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases or neurological conditions, making SLCs very attractive pharmacological targets.
SLCs have historically been difficult to study, often lacking high resolution structural information, and with the precise function or substrate of some SLC transporters unknown. Today, advances in technologies such as cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and the development of more sophisticated biological assays have opened new avenues for SLC-targeted drug discovery. Solgate has developed a dedicated platform combining chemistry, cell biology and computational tools to identify disease-relevant SLCs and design potent, selective modulators, prioritizing targets with strong genetic links to disease with the aim of restoring or correcting transporter function through small molecule therapies.
Automation that Supports Complex Assays
High throughput screening is central to Solgate’s drug discovery approach, with hundreds of samples processed each week using high content imaging assays in 384 well plates. Each workflow involves a series of intricate steps, including cell seeding, compound dosing, incubation, staining and fixation. Key assays are often performed on a weekly basis with new compounds, using standardized controls to normalize the results. Reproducibility is therefore vital, and so the lab uses ASSIST PLUS pipetting robots and VIAFLO electronic pipettes to automate standard tasks across multiple research pipelines. INTEGRA’s benchtop automation solutions ensure consistent reagent delivery and eliminate manual errors, while the precisely aligned and controlled pipette movements protect delicate cell layers from disruption. Together, these factors are vital for generating high quality, reproducible data, enhancing consistency and reliability across experiments.
Easy to Understand and Implement Automation
A crucial advantage of INTEGRA’s pipetting solutions is their ease of use, enabling them to be quickly adopted by scientists of all experience levels, without the need for extensive training. The shared interface across all INTEGRA pipettes makes it easy to learn how to use them for workflows ranging from basic tasks to more complex, multi-step protocols. The intuitive VIALAB software allows protocols to be visually mapped out and simulated, then uploaded directly to the ASSIST PLUS. Users can switch between programs with just a few clicks, and build-in incubation pauses and prompts that walk the operator through the process with minimal training.
Fast, Flexible, and Proactive Customer Service and Support
High quality, responsive aftersales service and support is just as important as the products themselves. Rapid access to support services is vital in a fast-paced research environment, and Solgate has benefited from swift responses to technical queries, help with setting up new workflows, and fast turnaround times for any maintenance.
A Scalable Solution for Cutting-edge Science
INTEGRA’s pipetting systems have provided the foundations Solgate needs to scale its high throughput research. Their ease of use and reliable performance, together with INTEGRA’s responsive support, have helped the team to focus on its scientific goals without being impeded by technical limitations. From start-ups to large labs, the ASSIST PLUS and VIAFLO systems are ideal tools that help science to move forward faster.
