# Automation of Sample Preparation for a Genomics Shared Resource

> **NIH NIH R24** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2024 · $348,723

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The Genomics Research and Technology Hub (GRT Hub), the sole UCI genomics shared resource, is applying
for support to purchase a Hamilton LiquidScan NGS STAR (STAR). The GRT Hub was founded in 1999 and
has served the campus for microarray, DNA genomic analysis and mapping, bulk and single cell RNA
sequencing, and most recently multi-omics and spatial transcriptomics. Although physically located in the School
of Medicine, the GRT Hub is a short walk from all user schools on the UCI campus. In the last fiscal year, the
GRT Hub had $2.13 M in service recharges, the vast majority of which were to UCI investigators. The requested
STAR system will automate significant aspects of these next generation sequencing and beadarray workflows,
thus providing improved accuracy and reproducibility while relieving the stress of manual tasks currently
performed by trained staff. The STAR system will be located within the existing controlled environment GRT Hub
space. This workflow modernization is particularly critical with recent increases in throughput for both short- and
long-read sequencing platforms and the generous planned UCI campus support for acquisition of Revio and
NovaSeq X Plus in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Hamilton is an acknowledged leading manufacturer of robotic
systems. The basic unit, the Hamilton STAR, has throughput capabilities for single samples with needle or tip
loading and single up to 96 well parallel sample processing. Although every immediate workflow has associated
programs, including long and short read sequencing and beadarray as well as a physical module for liquid cell
and extracellular vesicle biomarkers, it is also readily programmable. The inclusion of an onboard thermocycler
extends the end-to-end processing for next generation sequencing library preparations among other
workstreams. This proposal has three specific aims: 1) automate NGS workflows for genomic and transcriptomic
library construction to increase efficiency of sample throughput, reduce errors in sample tracking, and increase
accuracy and precision in sample processing; 2) increase clinical genomic applications by attracting larger scale
projects and developing a specialized unit for biomarker assays; and 3) encourage others to consider
modernizing with a robotics training program for facility users.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10988125
- **Project number:** 1R24OD037737-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** SUZANNE SANDMEYER
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $348,723
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-15 → 2026-07-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10988125

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10988125, Automation of Sample Preparation for a Genomics Shared Resource (1R24OD037737-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10988125. Licensed CC0.

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