UK Biocentre completes 300,000 precision robotic picks from 12 million sample archive for national lipidomics programme.

Biological sample storage specialist UK Biocentre has completed a laser focused retrieval and shipment of 300,000 individual frozen samples to support a lipidomics expansion within the UK’s Our Future Health research programme.

The achievement represents UK Biocentre’s largest transport and repatriation programme to date, requiring speed, precision and complete data integrity. Each of the 300,000 tubes was individually selected from an archive of 12,092,309 stored aliquots representing close to two million participants. Every pick was executed against a predefined participant list, with zero deviation from specification and successful extraction of specific tubes from ultra low temperature automated storage.

UK Biocentre was able to carry out single tube retrieval at sustained scale through its investment in Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) infrastructure and Azenta Life Sciences BioArc robotic storage platforms. Robotic systems located and presented the exact vial required without disturbing adjacent inventory, while LIMS tracking confirmed identity, position and chain of custody at every stage.

The full retrieval programme was completed in under three months, including a two week seasonal shutdown. Average throughput reached 25,000 precisely specified samples per week. Across the outbound phase there were no losses and no recorded mis-picks.

UK Biocentre’s BioDrive transport division operated a rolling weekly cycle between UK Biocentre’s Milton Keynes facility and the analytical laboratory in Manchester. Batches of 25,000 samples were dispatched for processing, after which the next tranche was prepared while the previous batch underwent analysis. This phased approach ensured continuous analytical throughput while maintaining full inventory control and temperature stability across repeated dispatch and return movements.

“This programme went beyond simply moving large volumes in bulk,” said Dr Stewart McCulloch, Head of Customer Solutions at UK Biocentre. “We were asked to retrieve 300,000 specific tubes from a 12 million sample archive. Every vial had to be identified correctly, robotically presented, verified through LIMS, volume and quality checked then dispatched under controlled conditions. Delivering that level of accuracy at sustained speed is only possible with disciplined laboratory management, validated automation and absolute control of inventory.”

Throughout, the material was maintained at monitored conditions throughout transit. Success relied on coordinated handling protocols and specialist route management for biological materials to maintain ultra low temperature stability during repeated high volume dispatch cycles.

“The cold chain does not stop at the freezer door,” Stewart added. “BioDrive enables us to maintain -80°C conditions from automated store to analytical laboratory and back again. That continuity is essential when you are working at this scale and cannot afford compromise.”

The selected samples have now been delivered to a specialist analytical laboratory to analyse the structure, function, and interaction of fats, oils, and structural lipids to identify biomarkers for diseases.

As research expands beyond genotyping into protein and lipid analysis, the ability to execute accurate, repeatable retrieval from established archives while maintaining complete sample integrity becomes critical.

The project was the ultimate pressure-test for UK Biocentre’s capability and capacity and its success an endorsement of the meticulous planning and protocols developed by the team and its partners.