Case Study: Cambridge Consultants achieves rapid high-throughput qPCR automation with Synthace's Antha

Rapid and Flexible Automation Workflow Development for qPCR with the Antha Standard Element Set

Cambridge Consultants, a global technology and innovation consultancy, needed a scalable, flexible platform to streamline high-throughput qPCR workflows across many short-term projects. They engaged Synthace and its Antha platform (using the Standard Element Set) to address challenges including consistently high throughput, fast execution (up to ~1,000 samples/day), custom upstream sample handling, robust traceability, reproducibility, and reduced execution costs.

Synthace deployed Antha—integrated with a Gilson PIPETMAX® liquid handler and a QuantStudio 5 qPCR thermocycler—and worked onsite to build and optimise automated workflows, custom plate designs, and in silico prototyping. The solution automated dilutions, plate setup and run execution, delivering concrete gains: operator hands-on time fell by 81% (from 2h15 to 25min per 384‑well plate), time to data output improved from 185 to 120 minutes (~33% faster), throughput scaled to as many as four 384‑well plates per day (a ~50% increase), and results showed improved sensitivity, lower contamination and full cloud-based sample traceability.

Cambridge Consultants

Matthew Jones

Senior Synthetic Biologist