Complementary technologies converging with others led to an extremely sustainable new 2LabsToGo analysis system. Technologies from the four different disciplines of chemi-stry (chromatographic separation), biology (biological effect detection), engineering (open-source technologies, 3D printing) and sustainability (dematerialization) merged in the unique miniaturized open-source system [1–4].
The portable 2LabsToGo consolidated not only two fully equipped laboratories but also combines complementary technologies in the same analysis at low cost, which explains its strength. The intrinsic powerful prioritization strategy [5,6] brings breakthrough insights and novel application benefits in transforming markets. It is crucial to solving major challenges facing humanity, such as identifying triggers of chronic diseases and providing healthy food and lifestyle products or clean water. Previously unknown hazardous compounds were detected in foods of daily use, perfumes and cosmetics [7–10]. Virtually no sample preparation was carried out to keep the sample as intact as possible. Planar multiplex bioassays allow the differentiation of agonistic, antagonistic, false-positive, cytotoxic and synergistic responses in the same analysis [11, 12]. The findings have significant potential to transform research and development as well as manufacturing and supply chains.
The open-source 2LabsToGo system can be adapted and optimized to one's own needs, which strongly supports self-empowerment. The latest achievement towards a fully automated open-source 2LabsToGo system is the integrated low-cost 3D-printed autosampler with mini valve/pump. Newly developed smart tools such as the nebulizer, mini-incubator and mini-shaker enable low-cost biological effect detection. [1] The versatile hyphenation dimensions (up to 12D) provide helpful information about unknown compounds. High-resolution mass spectra can be recorded fully automated straight-forwardly from the bioautogram. [11–13]
Acknowledgements: Thank is owed to the Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informations-technik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (grant E/U2AD/KA018/IF565) and to Merck, Darmstadt, Germany for supply of HPTLC plates.
References: [1] Ochoa Romero MC et al., in submission. [2] Sing L et al. Anal. Chem. 94 (2022) 14554. [3] Morlock GE et al. J. Chromatogr. A 1688 (2023) 463720. [4] Jakob K et al., in submission. [5] Morlock GE Anal. Chim. Acta 1180 (2021) 338644. [6] Morlock GE Phytochem. Review 2023, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-022-09844-x. [7] Morlock GE, Meyer D. Food Chem. 408 (2023) 135253. [8] Morlock GE, Hahne L, Bücker M, in submission. [9] Morlock GE, Zoller L, in submission. [10] Morlock GE, Heil J, in submission. [11] Schreiner T et al. Food Chem. 395 (2022) 133610. [12] Schreiner T et al. Front. Pharmacol. 12 (2021) 755941. [13] Mehl A et al. J. Chromatogr. A 1651 (2021) 462334.
