Adherent cell culture automation platform (T‑175 flasks)

Fully automated passaging, maintenance, and assay‑ready cell preparation, designed as a scalable alternative to compact stem‑cell culture systems.

Introduction

Adherent cell culture is one of the most technique‑sensitive workflows in the life sciences. Maintaining healthy cell lines, performing regular passaging, and preparing assay‑ready plates require precision, sterility, and consistent timing, all of which are difficult to achieve manually at scale. Traditional compact stem‑cell culture systems offer partial automation, but often lack flexibility, throughput, or the ability to support multiple cell lines simultaneously.This platform was developed as a next‑generation, fully customizable alternative to compact automated culture systems such as the Compact Select™. It provides a broader range of device integrations, supports larger culture formats like T‑175 flasks, and offers full workflow orchestration through PlateButler®.The result is a system capable of maintaining four independent adherent cell lines, performing automated passaging, and generating assay‑ready plates with defined cell concentrations — all with minimal operator involvement.

Application & purpose

This platform automates the complete adherent cell culture workflow, including:

  • Continuous maintenance of multiple adherent cell lines
  • Automated passaging in T‑175 flasks
  • Trypsinization and media exchange using flexible dispensing options
  • Preparation of assay plates at precise cell densities
  • Controlled incubation for both flasks and microplates
  • Real‑time cell counting for accurate seeding

Where compact stem‑cell culture systems typically focus on a single workflow or cell type, this platform was designed for broader biological compatibility, higher throughput, and greater modularity.The integration of a robotic pipetting head, robotic gripper, and Vi‑Cell BLU enables a level of precision and flexibility that surpasses traditional compact systems.

Workflow overview

Step 1: Flask loading & registrationT‑175 flasks are loaded into the dedicated flask hotel, which provides a single input and output position.The system registers each flask and assigns it to one of the four cell lines.

Step 2: Incubation & environmental controlFlasks are stored in the Thermo Cytomat C24 incubator, while microplates are stored in the Cytomat C10.Both incubators maintain controlled temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels to support optimal cell growth.

Step 3: Trypsinization & media exchangeThe robot transfers flasks to the flask holder, where they are opened and positioned for processing.Trypsin and media are dispensed using either the CyBio‑FeliX or Multidrop Combi (4×).Peristaltic pumps (2×8 channels) support controlled aspiration and dispensing during washing and detachment steps.

Step 4: Cell harvesting & countingDetached cells are transferred to the collecting bottle via the funnel system.A sample is automatically routed to the Beckman Coulter Vi‑Cell BLU for cell counting and viability analysis.

Step 5: Seeding & plate preparationBased on Vi‑Cell BLU results, the robot prepares assay plates at the required cell concentration using the pipetting head.Plates are transferred to the Cytomat C10 for incubation or to the output for downstream assays.

Step 6: Flask return & schedulingFlasks are refilled with fresh media and returned to the Cytomat C24.PlateButler® scheduling ensures that all four cell lines are passaged at the correct intervals without operator intervention.

Integrated devices

Device Type Role in Workflow
AJ CyBio-FeliX Reagent dispenser Trypsin and media dispensing
Beckman Coulter Vi-Cell BLU Cell counter Automated cell counting and viability analysis
Collecting bottle + funnel Harvest system Collects detached cells for counting and processing
Dispensing station (incl. 2x8 peristaltic pumps) Pump module Controlled aspiration and dispensing during passaging
Flask Holder Flask processing station Holds open flasks during trypsinization and media exchange
Multidrop Combi (4×) Reagent dispenser Trypsin and media dispensing
Robot with gripper (for flasks and MTP's) Robotic arm Moves flasks and microplates
Robot with pipetting head Liquid handler Media addition, seeding, transfers
T-175 Flask Hotel Storage module Input/output and staging for flasks
Thermo Cytomat C10 (for MTP's) Incubator Incubation of assay plates
Thermo Cytomat C24 (for T175 flasks) Incubator Incubation of T-175 Flasks
Tip position block Tip management Supports pipetting operations

Results & impact

  • Reliable, reproducible maintenance of multiple adherent cell lines
  • Higher throughput and flexibility than compact stem‑cell culture systems
  • Automated seeding at precise cell densities for downstream assays
  • Reduced contamination risk and operator variability
  • Continuous, scheduled operation with minimal manual involvement
  • Scalable architecture suitable for research, screening, and production environments

Areas of application

  • Adherent cell line maintenance
  • Automated stem‑cell culture
  • High‑throughput screening
  • Drug discovery and toxicity testing
  • Cell‑based assay development
  • Bioproduction and expansion workflows
  • Replacement for compact automated culture systems
Key features
  • Fully automated adherent cell culture workflow for T‑175 flasks
  • Designed as a flexible, modular alternative to compact stem‑cell culture systems
  • Parallel maintenance of four independent cell lines
  • Automated trypsinization, washing, and media exchange
  • High‑precision pipetting and robotic flask handling
  • Real‑time cell counting with Vi‑Cell BLU for accurate seeding
  • Controlled incubation for both flasks and microplates
  • Continuous scheduling and workflow orchestration via PlateButler®
  • Scalable design with modular dispensing options (CyBio‑FeliX or Multidrop Combi)
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