The Callisto Sample Prep System manipulates droplets containing DNA, RNA, enzymes, and other biochemistries on a surface using electric and magnetic fields. It also uses traditional robotic technologies for a limited set of operations. The system reduces total cost to customers with less plastic waste and reagent usage, improves the quality of samples prepared, provides reliable sample manipulation, and offers complete walk-away automation. This innovation is expected to have a significant impact on the genomics industry, making sequencing technologies more accessible and efficient for labs of all sizes.
Key takeaways:
- Volta Labs, founded by Udayan Umapathi, is a genomics applications company that uses advanced electrowetting technology to address the challenge of scalable sample preparation in the genomics industry.
- The company has developed the Callisto Sample Prep System, a benchtop system that automates the sample prep process, reducing costs and improving the quality of samples.
- The technology manipulates droplets containing DNA, RNA, enzymes, and other biochemistries on a surface using electric and magnetic fields, and can also handle raw samples such as blood and saliva.
- Umapathi believes this level of automation is new to genomics and has the potential to make a significant impact on science and society, particularly for smaller labs with lower budgets.