Pietro Larizza

Thanks to personalized medicine trends and collaborations between industry, clinical research groups and regulatory agencies, next generation sequencing (NGS) is turning into a common practice faster than one could have originally expected. When considering clinical applications of NGS in oncology, a rapid workflow for DNA extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, as well as producing high quality library preparation, can be real challenges. Here we consider these targets and how applying effective automation technology to NGS workflows may help improve yield, timing and quality-control. We firstly evaluated DNA recovery from archived FFPE blocks from three different manual extraction methods and two automated extraction workstations. The workflow was then implemented to somatic (lung/colon panel) and germline (BRCA1/2) library preparation for NGS analysis exploiting two automated workstations. All commercial kits gave good results in terms of DNA yield and quality. On the other hand, the automated workstation workflow has been proven to be a valid automatic extraction system to obtain high quality DNA suitable for NGS analysis (lung/colon Ampli-seq panel). Moreover, it can be efficiently integrated with an open liquid handling platform to provide high-quality libraries from germline DNA with more reproducibility and high coverage for targeted sequences in less time (BRCA1/2). The introduction of automation in routine workflow leads to an improvement of NGS standardization and increased scale up of sample preparations, reducing labor and timing, with optimization of reagents and management.

One of the most widespread additive manufacturing (AM) technologies is fused deposition modelling (FDM), also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF) or extrusion-based AM. The main reasons for its success are low costs, very simple machine structure, and a wide variety of available materials. However, one of the main limitations of the process is its accuracy and finishing. In spite of this, FDM is finding more and more applications, including in the world of micro-components. In this world, one of the most interesting topics is represented by microfluidic reactors for chemical and biomedical applications. The present review focusses on this research topic from a process point of view, describing at first the platforms and materials and then deepening the most relevant applications.

This paper proposes the analysis of different architectures for a novel electromagnetic system unit for Mini Invasive Surgery (MIS). Mini Invasive Surgery includes different techniques as Image Guided Surgery and Robotic Assisted Surgery, to track medical instruments and patient anatomy during percutaneous therapy or surgical operation. These techniques are characterized by a low bodily and psychological impact for patient in reduction of lesions on body, post-operation pain, risk of infection and reduction of the rehabilitation period. Moreover, they are a very useful tool for the surgeon which can work with high accurate technologies, also in difficult access anatomic areas, with a reduced risk of error and stress level.