Streamlined automation advances T-cell cancer research

3T Biosciences, a biotech company pioneering immune-based therapies for solid tumours, is accelerating its drug discovery workflows with the help of automation tools from Integra Biosciences.

The South San Francisco-based company specialises in identifying novel peptide-HLA targets for T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies using its proprietary 3T-TRACE™ platform. By combining diverse antigen libraries with machine learning, the platform enables high-resolution mapping of tumour-specific immune responses - critical to uncovering the most prevalent immunogenic targets in solid cancers.

To support growing demands for precision and throughput, the team has integrated Integra’s ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot alongside the D-ONE single channel module into their workflows. These tools are being used for tasks such as protein normalisation and aliquoting - processes that benefit from consistent and accurate liquid handling.

“Our goal is to build scalable, reproducible workflows that can adapt to the complexity of therapeutic discovery,” said Jake Kleiner, Associate Scientist at 3T Biosciences. “The ASSIST PLUS, combined with Integra’s intuitive VIALAB software, allows us to rapidly deploy automated protocols without needing extensive programming knowledge. It’s already had a noticeable impact on efficiency and reproducibility.”

In addition to automation, the lab continues to rely on Integra’s manual pipettes for flexible, hands-on workflows. Looking ahead, 3T Biosciences aims to expand automation into more of its screening and assay development activities.

Kleiner added: “We’re now exploring how automation can increase our high-throughput capacity and standardise more of our assays. These improvements will help us push therapeutic candidates forward more rapidly.”

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