Automation in Biobanking: How Robotics and AI Are Transforming Modern Biostorage
Biobanking and biostorage have entered a new era of precision and scalability. What was once a manual, labor-intensive process of labeling, freezing, and retrieving samples by hand is now powered by automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are redefining how biospecimens are received, processed, stored, and retrieved in modern biorepositories, ensuring better sample integrity, faster throughput, and complete traceability.
Below is an overview of how automation works throughout the biobank workflow, from sample intake to robotic -80°C storage, and how leading organizations such as UK Biobank, IARC, and the Al Jalila Foundation are setting new standards in automated biobanking.
1. Automated Sample Reception and Logging
When biospecimens arrive, the first step in any biobank workflow is verification and registration. Traditionally, this required technicians to scan and record samples manually. Automation now ensures that every vial, tube, and barcode is accurately logged within seconds.
- Automated barcode and 2D scanning systems identify and record each sample's unique ID directly into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
- Conveyor-fed or robotic sorting routes samples into processing lines based on type such as plasma, tissue, urine, or DNA
- Integrated LIMS platforms provide real-time tracking and eliminate transcription errors, improving biospecimen traceability and data accuracy
Automation at this early stage prevents sample mix-ups, captures correct metadata, and speeds up accessioning, which is the foundation of reliable biobanking data management.
2. Robotic Sample Processing and Aliquoting
Once received, samples move into preparation stages such as aliquoting, plasma separation, or nucleic acid extraction. These steps have been transformed through robotic automation.
- Hamilton Microlab STAR and Vantage platforms perform aliquoting, dilution, and pipetting with high precision, processing thousands of samples daily
- Automated capper and decapper systems handle tube sealing while maintaining sample sterility and temperature control
- Automated DNA and RNA extraction systems used at IARC and NIH biorepositories improve reproducibility and reduce cross-contamination
- Workflow scheduling software coordinates liquid handling, quality checks, and downstream transfers to optimize throughput
At the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), robotic liquid handlers and automated decapping units manage DNA extraction, aliquoting, and LN₂ storage pipelines, cutting manual processing time nearly in half.
3. Automated Cold Storage and Robotic Freezers
The core of automated biobanking lies in robotic biostorage systems. These ultra-low temperature freezers use robotic arms to store and retrieve samples without direct human contact.
Example: UK Biobank
Four Hamilton BiOS systems are being installed to store more than 12 million biological samples at -80°C. Each unit includes robotic picking modules, redundant cooling, and continuous temperature mapping for validation. Every movement is recorded through LIMS integration, maintaining a full audit trail of each sample.
The Al Jalila Foundation has also launched the Middle East's first robotic biobank with a seven-million-sample capacity, using AI-based cryogenic control systems that maintain consistent conditions without manual handling.
- Robotic pickers move samples in controlled temperature environments
- Samples requested for use are staged in buffer zones at -80°C to allow quick handoff without disturbing stored inventory
- Sensors track temperature, motion, and access in real time
- The system communicates directly with LIMS, enabling remote sample requests and automated retrieval
Automated biostorage prevents freeze–thaw damage, limits human handling, and provides scalability for biorepositories managing millions of samples.
4. AI-Driven Management and Predictive Maintenance
Artificial intelligence has become a key component of modern biostorage, turning robotic systems into intelligent infrastructure.
- Predictive maintenance tools analyze compressor cycles, energy load, and temperature patterns to forecast potential equipment issues before failure
- Smart inventory algorithms optimize sample placement and distribution based on retrieval frequency and freezer capacity
- AI-driven monitoring systems detect anomalies in temperature or power conditions and trigger alerts for corrective action
- Centralized dashboards combine LIMS, environmental sensors, and freezer data for integrated compliance and performance reporting
At IARC, AI-enabled systems are connected to the facility's control network to automate liquid nitrogen delivery, manage oxygen sensors, and coordinate energy distribution across cryogenic storage units.
5. Automated Retrieval and Shipping
When a researcher requests a sample:
Automated retrieval shortens turnaround times, reduces staff exposure to extreme cold, and maintains biospecimen stability during shipping.
The Future of Automated Biobanking
Automation, robotics, and AI are redefining best practices for global biorepositories. These technologies improve sample integrity, increase throughput, and make compliance with ISBER, CAP, and ISO 20387 guidelines easier to maintain.
The future of biobanking and biostorage will continue moving toward fully connected systems that integrate LIMS, robotic infrastructure, and AI-based analytics. As automation becomes standard, biobanks will achieve greater reliability, sustainability, and scientific value across every stage of the biospecimen lifecycle.
References
- Hamilton Company. Hamilton BiOS Automated Storage Systems to Strengthen UK Biobank's Efforts Towards Improving Human Health. hamiltoncompany.com
- Biobanking.com. Automated Biobanking: Advantages, Benefits, and Future Directions. biobanking.com
- Biobanking.com. Al Jalila Foundation Unveils the First Robotic Biobank in the UAE. biobanking.com
- IARC. Laboratory Services and Biobank Facility Upgrade 2023. events.iarc.who.int
- Tecan. Automating Sample Preparation for Biobanks. tecan.com
- Precedence Research. Biobanking Automation Market Analysis 2024–2032. precedenceresearch.com
- Clinical Lab Manager. Automation as a Tool for Standardizing Biobank Processes. clinicallab.com