Robotics, now associated with artificial intelligence, deeply transforms research into the laboratory, in particular by accelerating discoveries into gene therapy.
Long considered as a simple automation tool for repetitive tasks, robotics is going to transform research into a laboratory in depth. Faced with the great challenges of our time, especially in the field of gene therapy or the reduction of animal tests, robotics – which is more when it is coupled with AI – stands out as an essential lever to develop science as a whole. But this technological revolution still comes up against major brakes, whether it be costs, integration or training of researchers. So how will robotics concretely transform research and what are the keys to accelerating its adoption?
Robotics, a tool that has become key to R&D
For several decades, automation and robotics have transformed many sectors, and laboratory research has been no exception. Appeared in the 1980s with the objective of replacing repetitive human gestures, laboratory robotics has since evolved to become a real lever for innovation, paving the way for major scientific advances.
Indeed, over the years, laboratory robotics has made it possible to standardize and accelerate a large number of scientific processes. This was first of all the case in the pharmaceutical industry, where automation made possible the ultra-high speed (UHTS), a technology that tests millions of molecules in record time in order to identify promising candidates-drugs. Thanks to robots capable of manipulating volumes of the nanolitre order – is much smaller than a simple drop of water – the search for new therapies is now faster, more reliable and more efficient.
Automation also revolutionizes research on cellular and genic therapies. One of the current challenges is to better understand cellular diseases using advanced in vitro models, thus reducing dependence on animal tests. Thanks to increasingly sophisticated robotic platforms, researchers can handle complex cell lines and test the effectiveness of new therapies on patient samples with unequaled precision. For example, instead of waiting for years to observe the effects of treatment on patient cohorts, it becomes possible to simulate these laboratory effects on human cells.
AI and robotics: a winning duo in favor of research
But innovation does not stop there. Today, advances in artificial intelligence open the door to a new generation of more flexible and more intuitive robots. Where traditional robotic platforms were limited by rigid protocols, AI allows you to adapt manipulation in real time and integrate automated decision -making systems. In addition, the integration of AI into these robotic systems will make it possible to better analyze the data from experiments and to accelerate the passage of fundamental discoveries to clinical trials.
Robotics, associated with AI, therefore opens a new chapter in scientific research. Faster, more precise and more flexible, it promises to accelerate the discovery of innovative treatments and to lastingly transform the way we approach the medicine of tomorrow … provided that its acceleration is not hampered.
Challenges to take up for massive and fast adoption
Despite these advances, several brakes persist in the generalization of robotics in the laboratory. One of the main obstacles remains the cost of acquiring and maintaining these technologies, in particular for public research institutions that are struggling to invest in automated platforms. The integration of these tools into existing infrastructure also represents a challenge, in particular due to the compatibility of computer systems and cybersecurity requirements.
In addition, the training of researchers in these new technologies is essential. Even today, the programming and use of robots require specific skills, limiting their adoption by non -specialized scientists. The AI could however contribute to lifting this barrier by making robotic platforms more intuitive and autonomous. Finally, the development of partnerships between the public and private sector is crucial to promote innovation and the adequacy of technologies with the real needs of laboratories.
While the expectations of health and scientific progress are immense, laboratory robotics appear to be an essential solution to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Researchers, suppliers, industrialists … It is crucial to strengthen exchanges to accelerate the implementation of robotic solutions adapted to the challenges of modern research!
