Resource Development 



Computerized robotics used to speed repetitive tasks of mapping and sequencing DNA. Application of robotics in 

 liuman genome research requires expertise in and interaction among a variety of disciplines, including molecular biology, 

 engineering, and computing science. Hewlett-Packard, Inc., has provided the Human Genome Center at Lawrence 

 Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) with a computer-dnven robot for handling and processing biological samples. The robot 

 consists of an active arm (a) capable of accurate and precise movement and of being programmed to change hands 

 during procedures; eight pumps for dispensing and sampling very small volumes with comparable accuracy and precision 

 (not in view); a spectrophotometer (b) for color analysis of the samples; rack towers and incubator hotels (c) that hold 

 either unlidded plates (d) or racks of pipette tips (e); a hand tree (f) that holds tools for gripping (g) or pipetting with either 

 a large single mandrill (h) or with 1 6 channels (i); a rake to scrape off used tips; and a blank hand for future 

 customization. The control pole (j) is capable of five degrees of freedom; rotation, height, grip, reach, and wrist twist 

 (disabled). The staff of the LBL divisions of Engineering, Computing Science, and ^ylolecular Biology are working with the 

 engineers of Hewlett-Packard to modify existing hardware, as well as to develop new software. Initial applications 

 developed in this effort will speed the use of second- and third-generation robots in commercial, medical, and forensic 

 laboratories. (Photograph provided by the Human Genome Center, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.) 



29 



