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Laboratory robotics company Opentrons partners with Zymo Research to automate COVID-19 testing
Hannah DeTavis
Opentrons' OT-2 acts as a personal pipetting robot
Opentrons’ OT-2 acts as a personal pipetting robot. Source: Opentrons

Life science reagent company Zymo Research and lab robotics startup Opentrons (HAX 05) have partnered to develop an engine for SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing.

With the COVID-19 pandemic waging on, health centers require affordable, fast, and effective testing platforms. Opentrons offers an automated RNA extraction pipeline using its liquid handling robot, verified labware, and magnetic module. Combined with Zymo Research’s Quick-DNA/RNA Viral MagBead Kit, these solutions can help labs set up highly-sensitive SARS-CoV-2 testing.

Opentrons’ OT-2 robot also offers downloadable open-source scripts to automate the Quick-DNA/RNA Viral MagBead Kit. This allows labs to perform the protocol in their own facilities.

Speaking to the Financial Post, Opentrons co-founder and CPO Will Canine said: “The pairing of technologies from Opentrons and Zymo Research establishes a new, automated RNA extraction solution at a time when the legacy suppliers are unable to keep up with demand. We are proud to be able to bring this affordable, easy-to-use system to the market very quickly in partnership with Zymo Research.”