Biomek I7 hybrid automated liquid handler to support biomedical research and discovery

The Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health Office of the Director awarded Yale University $345,676 on September 1, 2026, under the Research Infrastructure Programs (CFDA 93.351) to acquire a Biomek I7 Hybrid automated liquid handler for the Yale Center for Molecular Discovery.

The Biomek I7 Hybrid is a state-of-the-art liquid handling platform that automates high- and medium-throughput laboratory workflows with precision, flexibility, and efficiency. YCMD, a university-supported core facility specializing in high-throughput screening, will deploy the system to address limitations in Yale's current automation and liquid handling infrastructure. The instrument will enable automation of standard and complex protocols across research spanning cancer, infectious diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders, dermatology, and neonatal and pediatric medicine. Fifteen faculty members across ten Yale departments identified automation needs that the existing equipment cannot adequately support.

YCMD maintains a track record of successful automation technology deployment, evidenced by 47 publications over five years, and offers deep expertise in high-throughput assay development, small molecule and genetic libraries, and screening infrastructure to a broad user base. The Biomek I7 Hybrid will serve as a shared resource facility and extends YCMD's capacity beyond traditional high-throughput screening to support the growing demand for scalable, error-free execution in translational biomedical research.

Period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. Performance occurs in Connecticut, USA.

Abstract

The biomek I7 hybrid is a state-of-the-art liquid handling platform developed by beckman coulter for automating high- and medium-throughput laboratory workflows with exceptional precision, flexibility, and efficiency. In this grant application, the yale center for molecular discovery (YCMD) seeks funding to acquire the biomek I7 hybrid system to address critical limitations in yale's current automation and liquid handling infrastructure. The new platform will enable automation of both standard and complex protocols, meeting the growing demand for scalable, error-free execution in biomedical research. YCMD is a university-supported core facility specializing in high throughput screening. A highly experienced YCMD team serves a diverse and broad user base, offering deep expertise in high throughput assay development, a comprehensive collection of small molecule and genetic libraries, and a robust screening infrastructure to the research community. As evidenced by 47 publications over the last 5 years, the core has already established a strong track record of successfully utilizing automation technologies for high throughput screening in support of translational biomedical programs. Beyond traditional high-throughput screening, automation of research workflows is an area of rapidly increasing demand. This application highlights the needs of fifteen faculty members across ten different yale departments, whose projects span a wide range of basic and translational research including cancer, infectious diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders, dermatology, and neonatal and pediatric medicine. While YCMD's current equipment cannot adequately support liquid handling and automation needs of these projects, the biomek I7 hybrid would directly enable their execution with the required precision and scalability. As a shared resource core facility experienced in maintaining a variety of sophisticated screening instruments, YCMD is uniquely suited to host, maintain, and provide access to the requested biomek I7 hybrid system. Acquisition of the biomek I7 hybrid liquid handling system will significantly modernize YCMD's capabilities by enhancing the automation of routine and advanced workflows, streamlining operations, and improving reproducibility. Administered and maintained by YCMD, this advanced platform will provide immediate and long-term benefits to a wide range of NIH-funded investigators, strengthening yale's biomedical research infrastructure and accelerating discovery across disciplines.