Semi-automated liquid handling: Mitigating analyst-to-analyst variability in QC bioassays

CASSS Bioassays Symposium 2026 -- Cell-based potency assays (bioassays) can be complex to execute, often requiring hundreds of pipetting steps. Transfer of such methods into a quality control (QC) environment requires significant training, with varying levels of success dependent on analyst experience and technique. Complex methods developed by a single person can lead to robustness issues when other analysts are involved. Assigning cause to manual pipetting errors is difficult, making troubleshooting anomalous results challenging during analytical investigations. Can the VIAFLO 96, a semi-automated liquid handler (Integra Biosciences), offer a potential solution to reduce operator error and facilitate method training and transfer in QC bioassays?