Introduction
Biotechnology has come a long way with the advent of advanced technology, and laboratories have not been left behind in this wave. In the past, traditional laboratory testing methods were the sole means of analyzing samples in biotechnology, but with the rise of automation, things have drastically changed. This post seeks to compare traditional and automated laboratory testing methods to see how they impact biotechnology.
Traditional Laboratory Testing Methods
Traditional laboratory testing methods refer to manual techniques used in analyzing samples. These methods are time-consuming, expensive, and require a lot of effort. The following are the commonly used traditional laboratory testing methods:
Microscopy
Microscopy involves the use of a microscope to visualize and identify microorganisms. This method is tedious, and depending on the sample's complexity, it can take hours.
Culturing
Culturing involves growing microorganisms in a petri dish to identify them. In this method, it can take several days to identify a specific bacterial strain, which can be time-consuming.
Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing
This method determines a bacterial strain's susceptibility to antibiotics by measuring its growth in the presence of different antibiotics. This process can take up to 48 hours, which is quite a long time.
Automated Laboratory Testing Methods
Automated laboratory testing methods involve the use of machines to perform the tests. These methods are faster, accurate, and more efficient than traditional laboratory testing methods. The following are the commonly used automated laboratory testing methods:
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
PCR is a common technique used in biotechnology to amplify DNA sequences. This method is fast and accurate and can generate results within hours.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
ELISA is used to detect and quantify proteins in samples. This method is automated and can generate results within minutes.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
NGS is used to sequence DNA and RNA. This method is rapid and can generate results within hours to days, depending on the sample's complexity.
Comparison
Having looked at the traditional and automated laboratory testing methods, it's obvious that automated methods are more efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods. Automated methods are faster, more accurate, and can handle larger sample volumes than traditional methods.
Cost
The automated laboratory testing method may require initial capital investment in equipment, but it's cost-effective in the long term as it reduces labor costs and increases efficiency. Traditional methods can require a lot of labor effort and time, leading to higher costs.
Speed
Automated methods are faster and more efficient, with many tests being completed within hours or minutes, while traditional methods can take days or even weeks to complete.
Accuracy
Automated methods are more reliable and precise than traditional methods, reducing the chances of human error.
Conclusion
In conclusion, automated laboratory testing methods are a significant improvement over traditional methods. They are faster, more accurate, and more efficient, which is critical in biotechnology. Although initial investment in equipment may be higher, the long-term benefits of automation outweigh the traditional methods incurring more labor costs and having longer processing times.
References
- A review on advanced automated laboratory testing methods: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3229267/
- Comparison of automated vs. manual laboratory methods: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3678306/