What is the CyBio FeliX Automated Liquid Handler?

CyBio FeliX is a programmable benchtop liquid handling robot developed by Analytik Jena for laboratories that want to replace repetitive manual pipetting with automated, reproducible workflows.

The platform can perform:

• Single-well pipetting.
• Row-wise pipetting.
• Column-wise pipetting.
• 96-channel parallel liquid transfer.
• 384-channel parallel liquid transfer.
• Serial dilution.
• Plate replication and reformatting.
• Sample normalization.
• Pooling.
• Reagent distribution.
• Automated sample preparation.

Rather than being designed around a single application, CyBio FeliX acts as a flexible automation platform. Laboratories can combine different pipetting heads, liquid handling adapters, disposable tips, microplate adapters, magnetic separation tools, heating and cooling modules, shakers and labware handling accessories according to the workflow being automated.

Key Features of the CyBio FeliX Liquid Handling Platform

• 1 to 384 pipetting channels depending on configuration and application.
• Liquid handling range from approximately 1 µL to 1000 µL depending on the selected pipetting head.
• Single-well, row, column and parallel plate pipetting.
• Support for 96-, 384- and, with the appropriate configuration, 1536-well workflows.
• 12 deck positions arranged on two levels.
• Interchangeable pipetting heads.
• Automated exchange of tips, adapters and selected tools.
• Integrated plate movement using an optional gripper.
• Support for heating, cooling, shaking and magnetic separation accessories.
• Compact benchtop footprint.
• Flexible software for both expert programming and routine operation.
• Connectivity options for databases and LIMS environments.
• Scalable architecture for integration into larger laboratory automation systems.

Modular and Future-Ready Laboratory Automation

A major advantage of CyBio FeliX is its modular architecture. The system can be configured around the workflow required today and subsequently modified as laboratory requirements change.

This approach allows laboratories to automate gradually rather than investing in a fixed system that is limited to a single protocol.

Depending on the application, users can select different:

• Pipetting heads.
• Liquid handling adapters.
• Disposable pipetting tips.
• Plate and tube adapters.
• Magnetic separation modules.
• Heating and cooling stations.
• Shaking modules.
• Labware grippers.
• Tip washing systems.
• Waste stations.
• Reservoirs and bulk liquid handling accessories.

This modular concept is particularly valuable for laboratories where applications change frequently, such as genomics core facilities, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical laboratories and research institutes.

Automate Today, Scale Up Tomorrow

CyBio FeliX can operate as an independent benchtop workstation, but the platform can also become part of a larger automated system.

For laboratories requiring higher throughput, multiple devices, automated storage and external instruments can be integrated into larger workcells. Analytik Jena supports integration with numerous third-party laboratory devices, allowing CyBio FeliX to function as the liquid handling module within more complex walk-away automation workflows.

Flexible Pipetting Heads for Different Liquid Handling Requirements

CyBio FeliX can use different pipetting head technologies depending on whether the workflow prioritizes maximum flexibility, individual channel control or highly parallel plate processing.

CyBio FeliX SELECT Heads

The SELECT Head is designed for flexible pipetting using up to eight individually selectable channels.

Different SELECT Head configurations cover volume ranges including:

• Approximately 1–50 µL.
• Approximately 5–250 µL.
• Approximately 10–1000 µL.

Individual channels can be selected for independent transfers, making the SELECT Head suitable for applications where samples do not follow a uniform plate pattern.

Examples include:

• Hit picking.
• Sample normalization.
• Variable sample numbers.
• Cherry picking.
• Individual reagent addition.

CyBio FeliX Robotic Heads for Parallel Transfer

For high-throughput applications, the R-Series robotic heads enable simultaneous transfer using 96 or 384 channels.

Available head configurations include formats for:

• 96-channel pipetting up to approximately 60 µL.
• 96-channel pipetting up to approximately 250 µL.
• 96-channel pipetting up to approximately 1000 µL.
• 384-channel pipetting up to approximately 60 µL.

Parallel pipetting is particularly useful when the same liquid handling operation must be performed across an entire microplate, such as reagent addition, plate replication or high-throughput assay preparation.

Flexible Transfers with Robotic Heads

The robotic heads are not limited to full-plate transfers. By automatically loading the appropriate liquid handling adapter and tips, the system can also perform:

• Single-well transfers.
• Row-wise pipetting.
• Column-wise pipetting.

This allows one automation platform to support both high-throughput parallel transfers and more selective liquid handling operations.

CyBio FeliX CHOICE Head

The CyBio FeliX CHOICE Head provides another flexible approach to automated pipetting. With the appropriate adapters and tips, one head can cover a broad volume range from approximately 1 µL to 1000 µL.

Different liquid handling adapters can be loaded automatically without manual head replacement, enabling the system to move between low-volume and higher-volume operations during an automated workflow.

This can simplify protocols that include several pipetting steps with significantly different liquid volumes.

Compact Two-Level Deck with 12 Working Positions

Laboratory space is often a major limitation when introducing automation. CyBio FeliX addresses this through a compact deck architecture with 12 positions arranged across two levels.

The two-level design enables a relatively large number of labware positions and accessories to be accommodated within a compact benchtop system.

Depending on the workflow, the deck can accommodate equipment such as:

• Microplates.
• Deep-well plates.
• PCR plates.
• Sample tubes.
• Pipetting tip racks.
• Reagent reservoirs.
• Magnetic separation adapters.
• Heating and cooling stations.
• Orbital shakers.
• Waste containers.
• Tip washing stations.

Automated Labware Movement

An optional CyBio FeliX gripper can transport compatible microplates between deck positions. This allows multiple processing steps to be linked into a continuous automated workflow.

For example, a plate may be:

1. Filled with reagents.
2. Transferred to a magnetic separation station.
3. Washed automatically.
4. Moved to a shaker or temperature-control module.
5. Returned for further pipetting.

This ability to combine liquid handling with automated labware movement is important for multi-step sample preparation workflows.

Applications of the CyBio FeliX Automated Pipetting Robot

CyBio FeliX can automate a wide range of routine and advanced laboratory workflows.

Automated DNA and RNA Extraction

Nucleic acid purification is one of the major application areas for automated liquid handling.

CyBio FeliX can automate DNA, RNA and plasmid purification workflows using compatible extraction kits and magnetic bead technologies.

Typical automated steps may include:

• Sample and reagent dispensing.
• Binding of nucleic acids to magnetic beads.
• Magnetic separation.
• Removal of supernatant.
• Repeated washing.
• Elution.
• Transfer of purified nucleic acids to downstream plates.

The platform supports a variety of biological sample types, including applications involving cultured cells, bacteria and plant material, depending on the selected extraction protocol.

Automating these repetitive steps can help reduce hands-on time and improve consistency between samples and batches.

Automated NGS Library Preparation

Next-generation sequencing workflows often involve many pipetting steps where accurate low-volume handling and consistent processing are essential.

CyBio FeliX can be configured to automate different stages of NGS sample preparation, including:

• Nucleic acid extraction.
• Library preparation.
• Magnetic bead purification.
• Library cleanup.
• Size selection.
• Sample normalization.
• Library pooling.

By combining flexible liquid handling with magnetic separation, shaking, cooling and other deck functions, multiple NGS preparation steps can be integrated into a single automated workflow.

This can be particularly useful for genomics laboratories processing increasing sample numbers while seeking to reduce variability associated with repetitive manual pipetting.

Automated PCR and qPCR Reaction Setup

Preparation of PCR and real-time PCR reactions requires accurate dispensing of relatively small volumes across many wells. Manual preparation can become time-consuming as the number of samples and assays increases.

CyBio FeliX can automate tasks such as:

• Master mix preparation and distribution.
• Primer and probe dispensing.
• Template addition.
• Sample normalization.
• Serial dilution.
• 96- and 384-well PCR plate preparation.

The ability to use individual channels or parallel multi-channel transfer enables the automation strategy to be adapted to both homogeneous and irregular plate layouts.

For contamination-sensitive molecular biology workflows, CyBio FeliX is also available in configurations designed for clean-bench operation or with UV-based surface decontamination options.

Automation for Cell-Based Assays and Proteomics

CyBio FeliX is not limited to genomics applications. Its flexible deck and liquid handling options also support cell-based and protein-related workflows.

Cell-Based Applications

Depending on the protocol and accessories, the platform can support tasks such as:

• Cell seeding.
• Media exchange.
• Cell maintenance.
• Cytotoxicity assays.
• Cell viability assays.
• Assay reagent distribution.

The platform has also been used in specialized workflows involving spheroid cultures and other advanced cell-based applications.

Protein Purification and Proteomics

CyBio FeliX can support automated protein purification and assay preparation. Analytik Jena has demonstrated applications including membrane protein purification and PhyTip-based protein purification workflows.

Automated processing can reduce repetitive manual transfers while maintaining standardized handling across larger sample sets.

CyBio FeliX System Configurations

Several basic configurations are available to address different laboratory environments and application requirements.

UV Decontamination Option

For workflows where contamination control is important, CyBio FeliX can be configured with UV decontamination functionality.

This configuration is particularly relevant for:

• PCR setup.
• NGS library preparation.
• Nucleic acid extraction.
• Other contamination-sensitive molecular biology workflows.

Opaque Enclosure for Light-Sensitive Samples

A fully light-blocking enclosure is available for workflows involving light-sensitive reagents or samples.

Typical examples may include:

• Photolabile compounds.
• Fluorescence-based assays.
• Luminescence-based assays.
• Light-sensitive biochemical reagents.

CyBio FeliX Software and Workflow Control

CyBio Composer

CyBio Composer provides the core scripting environment for controlling CyBio FeliX.

The software provides access to device functions and liquid handling parameters, enabling advanced users and automation specialists to develop highly customized workflows.

Key capabilities include:

• Powerful scripting environment.
• Direct access to liquid handling parameters.
• Detailed instrument control.
• User permission management.
• Recording of user interactions and execution information.
• Error and process logging.
• Potential connectivity to databases and LIMS systems.

CyBio Application Studio

While CyBio Composer provides detailed programming access, CyBio Application Studio is designed to simplify execution for routine users.

Workflows created by experienced users in CyBio Composer can be presented through a graphical interface where routine operators only need to enter relevant parameters such as:

• Number of samples.
• Reaction volumes.
• Protocol-specific variables.

The software can provide guided instructions for labware placement and preparation, helping standardize workflow execution between different users.

CyBio Scheduler for Integrated Automation

For larger laboratory automation systems, CyBio Scheduler can coordinate multiple laboratory instruments and processes.

Functions include:

• Drag-and-drop workflow creation.
• Assay simulation.
• Process synchronization.
• Time-optimized scheduling.
• Online workflow visualization.
• Plate identification and tracking.
• Error recovery and messaging.
• Interfaces with LIMS, databases and laboratory networks.

CyBio FeliX Technical Specifications

*Specifications depend on the selected CyBio FeliX configuration, pipetting head, accessories and application. Please contact 2H Instrument for confirmation of the appropriate configuration for your workflow.

Accessories for CyBio FeliX

A broad range of accessories can be combined with CyBio FeliX to build application-specific workflows.

Magnetic Separation

Magnetic adapters can support bead-based DNA, RNA, NGS and protein purification workflows.

Heating, Cooling and Mixing

Compatible modules include equipment for:

• Sample heating.
• Sample cooling.
• Orbital shaking.
• Combined shaking and temperature control.

Tube and Plate Adapters

Different adapters allow CyBio FeliX to work with microplates, PCR plates, deep-well plates, tubes and specialized labware.

Tip Washing

Optional tip wash stations can be incorporated into workflows where suitable pipetting configurations and application requirements allow automated washing.

Barcode Reading

A barcode reader can be integrated for sample and labware identification in automated workflows.

External Pumps and Reservoirs

Additional pumps and automatically refillable reservoirs can support workflows requiring larger volumes of common reagents or buffers.

Why Choose CyBio FeliX?

Who Should Consider CyBio FeliX?

CyBio FeliX is particularly suitable for laboratories that:

• Perform repetitive pipetting tasks manually.
• Need better reproducibility between operators and batches.
• Process increasing numbers of samples.
• Want to automate PCR, qPCR or NGS sample preparation.
• Perform bead-based nucleic acid purification.
• Require both selective pipetting and whole-plate parallel transfer.
• Need a liquid handling platform that can be reconfigured for future applications.
• Have limited laboratory space.
• Plan to move from benchtop automation toward integrated laboratory automation in the future.

Because CyBio FeliX is highly configurable, the optimal system depends on the intended workflow, liquid volumes, sample throughput, labware formats, required accessories and desired level of automation.

Frequently Asked Questions About CyBio FeliX