Shaping the Future: Insights from Bernd Gleixner on Lab Automation
In a recent conversation with Bernd Gleixner, Division President of Automation at Bruker BioSpin, we delved into the transformative world of lab automation, exploring the nuances of integrating advanced technologies, the complexities involved, and the future possibilities that lie ahead.
Chemspeed: A Brief Introduction
Chemspeed Technologies, founded 27 years ago by former Russian employees, began as a humble operation in a garage near Basel, Switzerland. Since its inception, the company has experienced remarkable growth, culminating in its acquisition by Bruker last year. This merger has significantly strengthened Bruker’s lab automation and digitalization capabilities, paving the way for strategic advancements.
Chemspeed is dedicated to providing automation solutions specifically tailored for chemists. Their innovative systems bolster accelerated scientific research, research and development (R&D), and quality control (QC) through continuous, high-quality data provision powered by robotics and analytical tools. This data becomes essential for enhancing AI applications, thereby expediting drug discovery processes and refining target molecule selection.
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The Vision for Laboratory Automation
When asked about his vision for advancing laboratory automation across various industries, Gleixner highlighted the critical importance of fluid data connectivity. “The biggest challenge lies in seamlessly integrating quality data from instruments to robotics, algorithms, and AI,” he stated. Enhancing machine-to-machine interactions is vital to reduce miscommunication and simplify complexities across platforms.
Expanding Modular Capabilities
Chemspeed’s reputation for modular and scalable automation platforms is well-established. In light of increasing demand for end-to-end digital workflows, Gleixner explained how the company aims to stay ahead of technological advancements. Integrating third-generation robotics could unveil new logistical capabilities, allowing for improved connectivity within laboratory environments.
Hybrid setups, which blend manually operated workbenches with automated segments, will facilitate an efficient transition. The goal is to create a data infrastructure that supports both robotic and manual workstations, enabling a smooth progression from partial automation to fully automated systems.
Integrating with Analytical Instruments
As Bruker enhances its benchtop NMR systems through automation, the integration of Chemspeed’s solutions with such analytical tools becomes a focal point. Unlike bulky systems, benchtop versions are user-friendly and easy to maintain, offering a robust platform not reliant on helium.
Moreover, combining these setups with robotics can create powerful workflows. “By incorporating synthesis capabilities within a flow setup, we can generate data and analytics that feed back into AI algorithms for enhanced experiment planning,” Gleixner noted.
Addressing Industry Challenges
The Bruker package offers customers peace of mind amidst the complexities of lab automation. Many scientists often grapple with integrating disparate tools from various vendors, consuming valuable time and resources. The pre-qualified, user-friendly systems created by Bruker and Chemspeed aim to streamline this process, allowing researchers to focus on what truly matters: addressing critical scientific questions.
With advanced instrumentation and minimal interface requirements, the combined expertise of Bruker and Chemspeed offers significant advantages, making complex data collection more efficient.
Challenges in Implementing Automation
However, transitioning to automation is not without its challenges. Gleixner outlined four essential questions companies should consider prior to investing in automation technology:
Purpose of Investment: Understand the scientific problems that automation will address.
Change Management: Successfully transitioning to automated systems requires strong human support, as staff engagement is crucial for achieving desired outcomes.
Impact on Organization: Automation may render some roles obsolete while also creating new ones that will demand specialized training.
- IT Infrastructure: Legacy systems often complicate integration; creating a cohesive data governance framework is essential for maximizing data utility.
Supporting Green Chemistry Initiatives
Sustainability remains at the forefront of lab priorities today. Chemspeed is well-positioned to promote green chemistry, helping customers attain resource efficiency through its automation platforms.
“Using less material is key to enhancing laboratory efficiency,” said Gleixner. “By leveraging AI for better experimental planning, we can minimize resource consumption.” The company also supports various sustainable scientific endeavors, ranging from mechanochemical processes to green hydrogen research, which necessitate fewer materials.
Incorporating AI into Automation Workflows
As automation technologies evolve, Chemspeed has begun infusing its systems with AI-driven functionalities. These advancements aim to minimize the need for manual experiment design, allowing researchers to focus on resolving significant scientific inquiries.
Modern software solutions, whether open-source or commercially available, are designed to automate repetitive tasks, thus speeding up lab processes. “AI is an integral part of the modern lab environment, yet it is crucial that personnel maintain a strong understanding of the underlying science,” Gleixner remarked.
Looking to the Future: Chemspeed’s Role in Automation
Gleixner foresees Chemspeed playing a vital role in shaping the fully autonomous laboratory of the future. As part of the larger Bruker family, Chemspeed has access to cutting-edge technology across diverse sectors.
By integrating robotics with advanced instruments and data management platforms like the ZONTAL system, Chemspeed is poised to deliver increasingly seamless DMTA (design, make, test, analyze) workflows that further enhance scientific exploration.
The Shift Toward Consultancy
Shifting dynamics with clients suggest a growing interest in consultancy within the field of lab automation. As organizations move beyond solely transactional relationships concerning automation investments, the focus has shifted to creating significant, lasting impacts in scientific research.
Chemspeed’s collaboration with Bruker is strategically positioned to spearhead such transformations, underscoring the necessity of effectively combining technology with scientific exploration.
Meet the Expert: Bernd Gleixner
Bernd Gleixner is the Division President of Automation at Bruker BioSpin. He has been instrumental in overseeing various global operations since joining Bruker in 2016. His role involves ensuring that pioneering technologies continue to support scientific research across multiple industries.
Bruker BioSpin: Leaders in Magnetic Resonance
For over a decade, Bruker BioSpin has been at the forefront of developing technologies for NMR and EPR spectroscopy, as well as preclinical imaging research tools. These innovations have positioned Bruker as a global leader in magnetic resonance technologies, which are crucial for a multitude of research applications.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Lab Automation
As laboratories continue to evolve with technology, the insights from Bernd Gleixner reveal the significant hurdles and opportunities that lie ahead. Through strategic partnerships, such as that between Bruker and Chemspeed, the landscape of lab automation is poised for substantial advancements, promising to deliver both scientific innovation and enhanced operational efficiencies. The future looks bright for automation in laboratories, marking a shift not only in the way research is conducted but also in the sustainable approaches embraced to promote greener practices in scientific inquiry.