Emmet

Emmet is an intelligent machine designed to close, automate, and scale mammalian cell culture workflows, specifically TC flask-based protocols.

Think of Emmet as an incubator, TC hood, refrigerator, process monitoring system, and cell culture technician, all in one machine (e.g., a unified hardware and software stack in a single instrument footprint). That isn't the size of a Volkswagen and fits on a bench in any lab.

Emmet standardizes and automates cell culture workflows, including seeding, media exchange/perfusion, passaging, differentiation, and harvesting.

With Emmet, you can spend less time moving liquids between flasks and more time designing and analyzing experiments (and enjoying your weekends!)

Any mammalian cell type: hES/hiPSCs, MSCs, fibroblasts, cell lines, HEK & CHO producer cells, primary cells, organoids, 2D/3D cell line models, animal (stem) cell lines, and beyond. In either adherent or suspension culture conditions.

We’ve demonstrated that Emmet can reliably expand iPSCs and generate differentiated progeny in both adherent and suspension processes.

In our experience, many manual operators struggle to do so, even with years of training.

Emmet, however, is already trained in cell culture and is ready to join your team today.

Emmet is compatible with any commercially available tissue culture (TC) flask: T25, T75 & T225.

TC flasks can be plasma-treated (anchorage-dependent culture) or non-treated (suspension-adapted culture).

We are working on developing:

    1) custom adherent vessels that increase surface area while maintaining similar footprints to TC flasks

    2) dedicated suspension cell culture vessels for scale-down, multiplexed experiments

    3) integrations with well pates, laboratory automation systems, and liquid handling robots

Yes, you can culture up to 18 cell lines or protocols in parallel.

Reach out to learn more about Emmet's clearing system to prevent cross-contamination.

‍

Emmet uses a machined cartridge-based manifold for fluid management.

Fluid control cartridges have a membrane on top of individual valves machined into a cartridge. To actuate a valve and create fluid pathways, the membrane is pushed down (using positive/air pressure) and pulled up (using negative/vacuum) pressure to open/close valves. This allows fluid to be routed from any point to point in the system.

Emmet accommodates up to seven (7) unique reagents or fluid inputs at a time. More fluid inputs can be achieved, but each additional input reduces the total number of flasks supported (e.g., 7+5 = 12 inputs supports a maximum of 18-5 = 13 TC flasks).

Yes, almost all process parameters can be modulated for experimental iteration.

Specifically, the length of the rocking arc (i.e., how far the rocking platform moves in the X or Y axis), the speed at which the motors drive the platform (i.e., how fast it accelerates & decelerates), and the movement pattern can all be modified

Onboard, fully automated imaging and cell count systems are being developed as we speak (or rather, type).

Currently, a technician removes flasks from Emmet to image, and cell counts are determined using an external cell counting system (e.g., a NucleoCounter). The technician then uses this information to tell Emmet what to do next (e.g., to determine if cells are confluent and to initiate passaging, and to determine the specific amount of cell suspension to be fed into new flasks during a passage).

We are rapidly moving toward automated onboard systems to support complete walk-away automation.

Onboard pressure sensors (to maintain flow rate), temperature, humidity, and atmospheric CO2 sensors (environmental controls). Atmospheric N₂ available upon request.

At-line samples can be generated for external analysis of cell suspension (e.g., for flow cytometry or qPCR preparation) or supernatant (e.g., for protein quantification).

Onboard, in-line metabolic sensors (glucose, lactate, dissolved O₂, CO₂, and pH) are being integrated into Emmet and are available upon request.

Onboard, in-line, fully automated cell imaging and cell count systems are being developed.

We're also developing adaptive process control systems leveraging in-line data to optimize critical process parameters in real-time.

No. We’ve created a no-code protocol builder that anyone can use to create customized cell culture protocols.

You’ll need to build your protocol on a computer (e.g., a laptop). Once complete, your protocol can be uploaded to Emmet.

We are developing a remote access tool that you could run from your computer to monitor Emmet and make go/no-go process decisions remotely.