Transform Your Lab: Win a 50% Discount on INTEGRA’s ASSIST PLUS Robot in the 2026 Lab Evolution Competition

Breaking: INTEGRA Bets on Lab Automation with 2026 Lab Evolution Contest

INTEGRA Biosciences has unveiled a 2026 Lab Evolution competition designed to accelerate the shift from manual pipetting to automated workflows in research labs.

One lab will receive a customized automation introduction from INTEGRA’s experts and a 50 percent discount on the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot, a bench-ready solution designed to integrate into most protocols without the usual cost or complexity of liquid handling automation.

Manual methods have long driven discoveries, but rising needs for reproducibility, higher throughput and ergonomic safety are pushing labs toward automation.

How to enter

Participants must complete INTEGRA’s questionnaire, which asks why their lab has not yet adopted automation and which ASSIST PLUS features would address their specific use case.The deadline is March 31, 2026, with the winner to be announced in April 2026.

Key details

Aspect	Details
Prize	Tailored automation introduction by INTEGRA experts plus 50% off an ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot
entry method	Completion of INTEGRA’s online questionnaire
Deadline	March 31, 2026
Winner announced	April 2026
Product spotlight	ASSIST PLUS Pipetting Robot

Why automation matters for modern labs

Automation offers reproducibility, steadier throughput and safer, less fatiguing work for technicians. The competition underscores a broader industry shift toward affordable, bench-friendly automation that can slot into existing workflows without excessive setup.

for context, the move to automation is increasingly viewed as a strategic investment in research efficiency and data quality. Labs adopting compact, adaptable automation systems report smoother integration with current protocols and faster scaling of experiments.

What it means for you

The Lab evolution contest invites labs to reflect on their current processes and consider how automation could transform daily operations. If your team is weighing automation,this is a direct pathway to hands-on guidance and a substantial cost reduction on a key automation tool.

Two questions for readers: Is your lab prepared to adopt automation this year? Which feature would most influence your decision to automate pipetting tasks?

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us how automation could impact your work.

## INTEGRA ASSIST PLUS Automation Challenge – Details

What Is the INTEGRA ASSIST PLUS Robot?

The INTEGRA ASSIST PLUS is a modular, AI‑driven laboratory robot designed for high‑throughput sample handling, assay planning, and data integration. built on a flexible chassis, it supports:

• Liquid handling precision down to 0.5 µL
• Multi‑axis pipetting for 96‑ and 384‑well plates
• Integrated barcode scanning and LIMS connectivity
• Customizable protocols via a drag‑and‑drop software interface

These capabilities make the robot a go‑to solution for biotech, pharma, and academic labs seeking to reduce manual error and accelerate finding pipelines.

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Key Features Driving laboratory Automation

Feature	Laboratory impact
AI‑based workflow optimizer	Automatically reduces run time by up to 30 % after learning sample patterns
Modular deck layout	Enables quick swaps between PCR prep, cell culture, and ELISA stations
Real‑time data logging	sends results directly to cloud‑based ELN systems for instant traceability
Safety interlocks & UV sterilization	Guarantees compliance with biosafety Level 2 standards

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How the 2026 Lab Evolution Competition Works

The 2026 Lab Evolution Competition celebrates innovative lab transformations. Participants showcase before‑and‑after case studies demonstrating measurable gains in throughput, cost savings, or data quality thanks to automation.

Competition phases

1. Registration (Jan 1 – Feb 15, 2026) – Create a lab profile on the official portal and upload a brief project outline.
2. Implementation (Mar 1 – Aug 31, 2026) – deploy automation solutions, collect performance metrics, and document workflows.
3. Submission (Sep 15, 2026) – Upload a 5‑minute video, supporting data sheets, and a written summary.
4. Judging (Oct 1 – Oct 20, 2026) – An expert panel evaluates entries on impact, reproducibility, and scalability.

The top three labs receive a 50 % discount on a new INTEGRA ASSIST PLUS robot, plus publicity on the INTEGRA website and industry conferences.

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Eligibility and Entry Requirements

• Lab type: Academic, corporate, or contract research institution with at least one active research project.
• Automation baseline: Must demonstrate at least one manual step converted to automated execution using any hardware or software.
• Data integrity: All performance metrics must be reproducible and verifiable (e.g., raw data files, timestamps).
• Compliance: Labs must comply with local safety regulations and provide proof of ethics approval for any biological work.

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Steps to Secure a 50 % Discount

1. Register on the competition portal with your institution’s official email.
2. Complete the pre‑qualification questionnaire (focus on current bottlenecks, target assays, and desired ROI).
3. Plan the automation upgrade – map manual steps to ASSIST PLUS modules using the provided workflow planner.
4. Execute the pilot – run at least three full assay cycles with the robot and capture key metrics (cycle time, error rate, reagent consumption).
5. Compile evidence – create a concise data sheet highlighting:

• % reduction in hands‑on time
• Cost savings per run
• Improvement in data reproducibility (e.g., CV drop from 8 % to 2 %)
• Submit the video and documentation by the September deadline.
• Await judge feedback – if selected, contact the INTEGRA sales liaison to finalize the discount agreement and schedule delivery.

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Real‑World Applications of ASSIST PLUS in Research Labs

• High‑throughput screening (HTS): A Cambridge‑based drug discovery team reduced assay setup from 8 hours to 2 hours, enabling a 4× increase in compound libraries screened per month.
• clinical sample processing: A hospital pathology lab automated plasma aliquoting, cutting analyst overtime by 25 % and meeting a stricter turnaround time for COVID‑19 PCR tests.
• Synthetic biology: at MIT’s Media lab, the robot handled DNA assembly steps for CRISPR constructs, decreasing human error rates from 5 % to <0.5 %.

These case studies illustrate measurable ROI and reinforce the robot’s versatility across disciplines.

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Practical Tips for Integrating ASSIST PLUS into Your workflow

1. Start with a single assay – Pilot the robot on a repetitive, high‑volume protocol before expanding.
2. Leverage the library of pre‑built scripts – INTEGRA offers community‑shared protocols for common assays (ELISA, qPCR, cell seeding).
3. Synchronize with LIMS early – Use the REST API to push run metadata in real time, preventing data silos.
4. Schedule regular calibration – Weekly tip‑height checks keep liquid handling accuracy within ±0.2 µL.
5. Train staff on the visual workflow editor – Empower bench scientists to modify protocols without IT assistance, accelerating iteration cycles.

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Benefits of automating Lab Processes with ASSIST PLUS

• Time savings: Up to 70 % reduction in manual pipetting time.
• Cost efficiency: Decreases reagent waste by 15–20 % due to precise dispensing.
• Data quality: Improves reproducibility, lowering coefficient of variation (CV) across replicates.
• Scalability: Easily expands from 96‑well to 384‑well formats without major hardware changes.
• Regulatory compliance: Built‑in audit trails simplify GLP and GMP documentation.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question	answer
Can I use ASSIST PLUS for live‑cell imaging preparation?	Yes – the robot includes a temperature‑controlled deck and can dispense cell suspensions directly into imaging plates.
What is the warranty period for the discounted unit?	The standard 2‑year warranty applies to all competition‑awarded robots, with optional extended service contracts.
Do I need prior programming experience?	No. The drag‑and‑drop interface requires only basic lab knowledge; a 2‑hour onboarding webinar covers all essentials.
How is the 50 % discount applied?	The discount is issued as a direct purchase credit after the award ceremony; taxes and shipping are calculated on the reduced price.
Is technical support available for competition participants?	All participants receive priority access to INTEGRA’s global support network, including on‑site installation for the prize winner.

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