The PetriJet platform technology An innovative device for automated culture dish handling and associated processes

The demand for modern and innovative solutions towards the automation of recurring lab-procedures has increased over the last years especially with small and middle sized laboratories which need to stay competitive even so as they increase their sample throughput. In the focus of this development are among others laboratories for quality assurance of medium-sized, food processing enterprises but also private and institutional biotechnology laboratories engaged in screening campaigns or active agent developments.

[Removed image: http://download.messe-muenchen.de/banner/image.php?pj=analytica2016&exid=28650313&im=3&ha=A3&st=434&lng=en&type=11 Alternative text: Booth A3.434 Image caption: ]

While performing experimental series the use of different, standardized culture dishes is common practice. However their handling is linked to several manual procedures – e.g. the filling of the culture dishes with nutrient medium, the transfer of a culture from one dish to another or the visual inspection and evaluation of growth characteristics or the productivity of a culture.
The bench-top lab automation platform PetriJet (see Fig. 1) with its dimensions of 800 x 400 x 650 mm and less than 20 kg of weight equipped with one input and one output stack respectively handles up to 20 culture dishes per batch which results in more than 80 handled culture dishes and taken images per hour. For that matter and due to the innovative, unique system for separation of culture dishes unsealed but also sealed culture dishes can be treated. The moving of the culture dishes is carried out along electrically-driven linear axles and the lifting was realized by a gripper. With the processing station in the middle of the device in its current stage of expansion the automatic imaging is implemented. Due to its modular architecture customized processing steps such as an automated sub-culturing, which means the automatic transfer of one sample from one culture dish to a new one, or the preparation of culture dishes e.g. to be filled with nutrient medium, is possible.

PetriJet platform with imaging processing station.

Together with the industrial partner WIMASIS Image Analysis GmbH, Munich – specialized in image analysis in the field of life sciences – a cloud-based automatic image analysis solution for the evaluation of the growth characteristics of Hairy roots is implemented in the fully functional prototype. An adaption of the image analysis interface for customized applications – e.g. the detection and counting of cell colonies but also the detection and measuring of complex patterns is possible. The data output relies on a Microsoft Excel compatible data format, which eases the electronic post-processing. Additionally control images for visual verification of the accuracy of the analysis are supplied.

Configuration and operation of this compact device are wireless and browser-based using an e.g. tablet-PC or a smartphone which link to a web-server integrated into the PLC and is independent from a specific operating system. The compact bench-top lab automation platform PetriJet enables an effective increase in efficiency and sample throughput with small and middle sized laboratories.

Sample images taken with PetriCam (left: lactic acid bacteria; center: Hairy roots; right: callus cultures)

A brief article on the PetriJet platform technology can be found in FoodLab 01/2014 from page 7 (in German only). Please kindly contact Dr.-Ing. Felix Lenk ( or by phone +49 (0)351 - 463 32781) for further information.