Automation of Liquid Handling Workshop at Edinburgh Genome Foundry

Two days of practical insights and networking for RTPs in liquid handling automation.

About the Event

UK RAS STEPS is hosting a two-day workshop at the Edinburgh Genome Foundry for UK-based Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) working in the automation of liquid handling.

This workshop will provide opportunities to learn from suppliers, engage in technical sessions, and network with peers. It builds on the success of our previous event at the Materials Innovation Factory, University of Liverpool, in March 2025.

There will also be a fully funded dinner at The Scottish Cafe, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, on the evening of April 14th. Huge thanks to Tecan Opentrons Labworks Inc. Beckman Coulter Diagnostics Gilson Hamilton Lab Solutions & Thermo Fisher Scientific for their support.

Draft Agenda

Day 1 -14th April

Midday – 1pm Arrival and Badge Collection (Lunch & Networking)

1-1.10pm Welcome – Rennos Fragkoudis, Head of Edinburgh Genome Foundry, University of Edinburgh

1.10-1.20pm UK RAS STEPS – Marie Daniels, UK RAS STEPS Programme Manager

1.20-2.20pm Technical session – Genomics

1.20-1.35pm - “Newly established Centre for Innovation in Genomic and Microbiome Sciences at the University of West London”
Piotr Cuber, Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences, Centre for Innovation in Genomic and Microbiome Studies, University of West London

1.35-1.50pm - “Understanding genomics involved in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection”
Lee Murphy, Head of the Genetics Core at the Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility

1.50-2.05pm - “Scaling-up Genomics for Bioscience Through Smart Automation”
James Lipscombe, Senior Research Assistant, Earlham Institute

2.05-2.20pm - “How Molecular Biology has changed with Automation”
Yuen Ting Mendis - Pathogen Genetics Scientist, UKHSA

2.20-2.50pm Techno Bite session, with Q&A

2.20-2.30pm OpenTrons

2.30-2.40pm Tecan

2.40-2.50pm Thermo Fisher Scientific

2.50-3.05pm Q&A

3.05-3.30pm Refreshments break

3.30-4pm Technical session – Applications

3.30-3.45pm - “Overcoming Liquid Handling Challenges in High‑Throughput, Image‑Based Screening”
Alistair Langlands, Facility Manager, National Phenotypic Screening Centre (NPSC), University of Dundee

3.45-4pm – “Development of high-throughput antimicrobial screening” – Sarah Bennett, Head of BioSRLs, University of Warwick

4pm-4.20pm Lightning talks followed by Q&A

“Finding the Fit: Navigating Automation Choices for Modern Lab Workflows”
Martina Conti, Technical Specialist, University of York

“The Liverpool Formulation Engine and it’s Liquid Dispensing Menu”
Oliver Prowse, Technical Support Officer, Materials Innovation Factory, University of Liverpool

4.20-5.05pm Techno Bite session

4.20-4.30pm Beckman

4.30-4.40pm Hamilton

4.40-4.50pm Gilson

4.50-5.05pm Q&A

5.05pm-5.15pm - Wrap up

7.30pm – Sponsored dinner at The Scottish Cafe, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL (bar open from 6pm)

Day 2 - 15th April

9-9.30am Arrival & refreshments

9.30-10.30am Technical session – Engineering Biology

9.30-9.45am - “Earlham Biofoundry - platforms & projects”
Davide Annese, Automation Specialist, Earlham Institute

9.45-10am - "The Manchester Biofoundry: Liquid handling workflows for Engineering Biology"
Mark Dunstan, Senior Technical Specialist, University of Manchester

10am-10.15am – “The Edinburgh Genome Foundry: Robotics Precision and Academic Expertise”
Rennos Fragkoudis, Head of Edinburgh Genome Foundry, University of Edinburgh

10.15-10.30am - "Automated Protein Expression in E. Coli"
Martyna Kasprzyk, PhD student, University of Edinburgh

10.30-10.40am – UK RAS STEPS Case studies

“From Pipettes to Precision: How UK RAS STEPS Helped Me Explore the Future of Lab Automation”
Katarzyna Hafezi, Senior Research Technician, University of Edinburgh

“How UK RAS STEPS Enabled My Journey to the Festival of Genomics”
Jeanette Selby, Genomics Technical Specialist, University of Warwick

10.40-11.10am Refreshment break

11.10-11.50am Challenges Panel with suppliers

11.50-12.00pm Wrap Up

12.00-1.00pm Tour 1/visit suppliers

12.30-1.30pm Lunch

1.30-2.30pm Tour 2 (if required)/visit suppliers

2.30pm Workshop close

✅ Places are limited.

UK RAS STEPS will fund all travel, accommodation, and subsistence for eligible RTPs working in RAS, with reimbursement to individual's institutions following attendance at the workshop.

Please Sign up to the UK RAS STEPS Community Platform for all the latest news and opportunities. Information on how to claim back travel, accommodation and subsistence can also be found on the platform, or be emailing ukras-steps@leeds.ac.uk

Full address for the workshop is: Edinburgh Genome Foundry, Centre for Engineering Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF.