Accelerating cell and gene therapy testing with the PIPETBOY GENIUS

Cell and gene therapies are transforming modern medicine by enabling targeted treatments that use living cells or genetic material to address complex and previously untreatable diseases. Laboratories face increasing demands for process control and compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) as these advanced therapies progress from early-stage research toward clinical translation and commercial manufacturing. Routine cell culture and liquid handling workflows play a critical role in determining the quality and reliability of data in cell and gene therapy testing, and they rely heavily on pipetting for many foundational tasks, including media preparation, sample transfer and cell banking. These steps are often repetitive and time consuming, and inconsistencies in volume delivery or handling technique can introduce unwanted variability, particularly when working with delicate cell types. As a result, laboratories are seeking more precise, ergonomic and efficient tools to support day-to-day liquid handling without compromising control or reproducibility. Integra Biosciences provides liquid handling solutions designed to help laboratories to efficiently maintain precision and reproducibility in demanding cell and gene therapy environments.

Supporting routine cell culture workflows with greater control

Celleo Biotech, based in Melbourne, Australia, develops intelligent production systems for autologous and allogeneic cell and gene therapy applications according to GMP requirements. These systems are used across a range of emerging workflows, including cell banking, preparation of critical reagents such as viral vectors, and other advanced bioprocessing applications. To support these requirements, Celleo Biotech implemented the PIPETBOY GENIUS pipet controller from Integra Biosciences for use across its cell culture workflows. The device is used for a broad range of applications, helping to simplify repetitive liquid handling tasks while improving consistency and ease of use. By integrating the controller into everyday laboratory activities, the team has been able to streamline workflows without introducing additional complexity.

Within Celleo, the Biology Department focuses on integrating internal cell and gene therapy test programs with engineering and product development, while also supporting global collaborations with commercial-scale biotherapeutics developers and CDMOs. Cell and gene therapy testing involves a wide variety of routine cell culture tasks that demand both precision and efficiency, such as media preparation, cell collection, sample transfer between tubes and flasks, and filling banks of cells. These workflows are frequently performed in laminar flow cabinets, where smooth operation and reliable control are essential to protect sensitive biological material. Celleo chose the PIPETBOY GENIUS pipet controller as its intelligent functionality and ergonomic control were well suited to supporting precise serological pipetting in demanding laboratory environments.

Improving precision through calibrated volumetric dispensing

A key differentiator between the PIPETBOY GENIUS and conventional serological pipet controllers is its calibrated volumetric dispensing, which allows users to set defined dispense volumes and deliver them consistently at the press of a button. When used in combination with Integra serological pipets, this feature removes the need to visually monitor graduation marks during dispensing, making it easy to use and helping to standardise results across users.

This level of control is particularly valuable in cell and gene therapy workflows, where reproducibility is critical and small deviations in volume can affect cell behaviour or experimental outcomes. The ability to repeatedly dispense exact volumes also gives users confidence in their results, especially when validating novel applications or handling delicate cells. The controller’s repeat dispense function further enhances efficiency by enabling multiple identical dispenses from a single aspiration. This is well suited to tasks such as distributing media or reagents across multiple vessels, helping laboratories reduce hands-on time while maintaining consistent volume delivery. Together, calibrated volumetric dispensing and repeat dispense functionality enable the PIPETBOY GENIUS to deliver both precision and productivity in routine serological pipetting tasks.

Ergonomics and usability for daily laboratory work

In addition to precision, the PIPETBOY GENIUS is designed to feel intuitive and comfortable in the hand, enabling controlled aspiration and dispensing with smooth, vibration-free operation. Variable speed control allows users to adjust liquid handling to suit different tasks, from gentle drop-by-drop dispensing to faster bulk transfers. The ergonomic benefits make the controller suitable for prolonged use and contribute to easier adoption across teams. At Celleo Biotech, the device is primarily used within the Biology Department but is also shared with colleagues in other areas given its versatility, including engineering teams who use it for validation protocols.

Enabling reproducibility in advanced therapy development

The ever-evolving cell and gene therapy workflows mean that laboratories require tools that offer both operational efficiency and reliable validation. The PIPETBOY GENIUS meets these requirements with ease, simplifying common serological pipetting tasks and helping laboratories to maintain consistent techniques across users and applications. The experience at Celleo Biotech demonstrates how integrating the PIPETBOY GENIUS into routine cell culture operations has streamlined processes and strengthened day-to-day consistency and precision in testing across a range of cell and gene therapy applications.

As the field continues to advance, ergonomic and reliable tools from Integra Biosciences play an important role in enabling laboratories to meet the growing demands of next-generation therapeutics.

More information online