All-in-one dispensing system firefly

On July 9, 2025, SPT Labtech announced a strategic partnership with the startup Semarion, originating from the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. This partnership will integrate SPT Labtech's firefly automated pipetting system with Semarion's SemaCyte microcarrier technology, enabling a flexible and scalable automated workflow for cell assays. This innovative collaboration will make it possible to miniaturize and automate adhesion cell assays, which have traditionally been challenging, and is expected to improve efficiency and reproducibility. It will also be adaptable to image analysis-based high-content assays such as cell painting. Semarion's CEO, Jeroen Verheyen, stated, "This partnership will create a flexible and miniaturized workflow that will significantly accelerate the drug discovery process." The two companies plan to work on developing joint protocols, generating validation data, and optimizing workflow strategies to provide researchers with more adaptable cell-based drug discovery support tools.

SPT Labtech has officially been certified for the Illumina DNA Prep automation workflow using the firefly liquid handling platform and has been selected as an Illumina certified partner. The firefly features a compact design that combines high-precision pipetting with flexibility, achieving improved reproducibility and throughput. Its intuitive software and walkaway operation contribute to the efficiency of complex NGS workflows. This certification makes the implementation of Illumina DNA Prep automation using firefly more secure and easier. We will continue to support new applications through collaboration with Illumina.

3D cell culture has gained increasing attention in recent years as a method for studying cells in an environment that more accurately mimics the tissue structure in vivo. However, constructing 3D models requires scaffolds and matrices that support cell growth, and the dispensing of these materials poses challenges, leading to issues with reproducibility and efficiency. To address these challenges, PeptiMatrix Ltd. collaborated with SPT Labtech to evaluate the dispensing performance of PeptiMatrix hydrogel matrices using the dragonfly discovery liquid dispensing system. This study presents an integrated approach to achieving high-throughput, cost-effective, and reproducible 3D cell culture assays, and discusses how this can accelerate advancements in drug discovery and research.

The Norwegian Sequencing Centre (NSC), located at Oslo University Hospital, has recognized the importance of lab automation in fields such as proteomics and genomics through practical experience. Recently, they have implemented liquid handling solutions, including our firefly system, significantly improving workflows to address daily operations and high-throughput challenges. These automations have enhanced work efficiency, optimized reagent usage, and reduced the risk of errors. In NSC's automation efforts, the following factors were key selection criteria: - Cost - Efficiency - Usability - Service support Considering various other conditions, our system was adopted as the most suitable for the automated workflow. It is believed that the importance of automation will continue to grow, becoming an essential element for core facilities. NSC's initiatives are expected to serve as a reference for other research institutions and as a model for maximizing the benefits of automation. For detailed news, please refer to the articles linked.