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Portland Specialty Lab

ICON’s latest advancements at the Portland Specialty Lab have enhanced our ability to deliver flexible, cost-effective, and efficient solutions for sponsors requiring specialty laboratory testing.

Automated efficiencies

Custom workflows have historically included manual processes, such as the Qiagen column-based kits ( e.g., QIAamp Midi or Maxi kit) that can be more time-intensive, and prone to executional variability during more complex procedures. ICON’s investment in innovative tools and systems is part of a targeted automation strategy designed to support study-specific workflows to deliver sponsor results faster and more efficiently. 

Agile, fit for purpose technology

ICON’s most recent lab technology includes three different magnetic bead-based DNA-RNA extractors and a specialised liquid handler, all delivering unique capabilities. Magnetic bead DNA-RNA extraction has advanced in recent years and provides certain practical improvements over centrifuge-dependent methods. Magnetic bead methods require less space, are quicker, and provide high quality and lower cost extractions delivering significant amounts of extracted material. The speed at which these machines operate reduces manual input and enhances quality and efficiency.

Capitalising on the efficiencies of magnetic bead methods, ICON now offers sponsors a suite of options including: Promega Maxwell CSC, Revvity (Perkin-Elmer) Chemagic 360, and the ThermoFisher Kingfisher Flex DNA-RNA extractors. Utilising these instruments, ICON can accommodate a wide range of samples and batch sizes:

  • Batch sizes as small as 1 sample
  • Large batches up to 96 samples at a time
  • Small samples as low as 300 µL of blood or small quantities of PBMCs
  • Large samples up to 10 mL of blood 

Broader capabilities

The Hamilton MicroLab Prep liquid handler automates the liquid handling steps of many standard procedures; aiding in crucial steps like sample normalisation and reducing the risk of variability during manual pipetting. Automating liquid handling also supports more efficiency in: 

  • Pre-extraction workflows
  • Replicating plates
  • Performing serial dilutions
  • Blood sample aliquoting
  • Performing cherry-picking or hit-picking
  • Adding reagents
  • Incubating
  • PCR plate preparation

The liquid handler also provides sample tracking for a detailed, chronological audit trail supporting accountability and data integrity. 

Commitment to quality

ICON’s commitment to quality is core to the lab innovation strategy being implemented at our Portland facility. As ICON automates processes and platforms, we do so intentionally with a goal to improve our internal workflows and enhance the benefits we deliver to clients. The flexibility of options we have curated provides opportunities for accelerated timelines, right-sized custom workflows, and cost-effective services without compromising on quality. 

 

Contact us to learn how our specialty laboratory services can deliver real value to your clinical development programs. 

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