Automated laboratory system and program

Abstract

In an automated laboratory system according to the present invention, in response to receiving an input for changing the start time of a culture time window for a first plate, a control device changes, in accordance with that change, at least one of a first-plate schedule and a second-plate schedule such that a first-plate analysis time window and a second-plate analysis time window do not temporally overlap. The control device then outputs a control signal to an analysis device on the basis of the changed first-plate schedule and second-plate schedule.

Description

Automated Experiment Systems and Programs

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated experiment system, and more particularly to schedule management in an automated experiment system.

[0002] Various technologies have been proposed for automated experiment systems (for example, International Publication No. 2017 / 015636 (Patent Document 1), Non-Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 2, and Non-Patent Document 3). In particular, Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 1, and Non-Patent Document 2 disclose technologies for operating one or more devices for an automated experiment according to a preset schedule.

[0003] International Publication No. 2017 / 015636

[0004] "inSPIRE® Collaborative Laboratory Automation Platform," [online], 2006, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., [Retrieved April 4, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / www.thermofisher.com / order / catalog / product / INS001>; "Momentum Integrated Software," [online], 2006, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., [Retrieved April 4, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / www.thermofisher.com / order / catalog / product / MOMENTUM>; "RS2 Microplate Reader," [online], 2006, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., [Retrieved April 4, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / www.thermofisher.com / order / catalog / product / MOMENTUM>; Mover", [online], Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., [Retrieved April 4, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / apps.kaonadn.net / 5807932868395008 / product.html#orbiter;u1def5669-1003>

[0005] Automated experimental systems are also used for cell culture. In the case of cell culture, the automated experimental system includes an incubator used for cell culture. The schedule may include pretreatment of cells cultured in the incubator. Because cells are living organisms, the cell pretreatment may not proceed according to the preset schedule. Conventional technologies have not taken into consideration cases where the cell pretreatment does not proceed according to the preset schedule.

[0006] The present invention was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology for managing a schedule in an automated experimental system according to the progress of cell pre-processing, even if the progress of cell pre-processing is not as planned.

[0007] An automated laboratory system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an incubator that provides an environment for culturing cells; an analyzer that performs analytical operations on the cells cultured in the incubator; a memory device that stores a schedule for each plate introduced into the analyzer; and a controller that outputs control signals to the incubator and the analyzer based on the schedule for each plate, wherein the plate includes one or more culture units, each of which holds a sample containing cells; the schedule includes a culture time window corresponding to the culturing in the incubator and an analysis time window corresponding to the analytical operations in the analyzer, each of which holds a sample containing cells, and the one or more culture units include one or more culture units that constitute a first plate and one or more culture units that constitute a second plate; and in response to receiving an input of a change in the start time of the culture time window for the first plate, the controller changes at least one of the schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate in accordance with the change so that the analysis time window of the first plate and the analysis time window of the second plate do not overlap in time, and outputs a control signal to the analyzer based on the changed schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program executed by a controller connected to a storage device that stores schedules for each of a first plate and a second plate, each of the first plate and the second plate including one or more culture sections, and the schedule including a culture time window corresponding to the culture of cells after pretreatment and an analysis time window corresponding to an analytical operation on the cells after the culture. When executed by the controller, the program causes the controller to perform the following steps: receiving input of a change to the start time of the culture time window for the first plate; modifying at least one of the schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate according to the change in response to receiving the input of the change so that the analysis time window of the first plate and the analysis time window of the second plate do not overlap in time; and outputting a control signal to an analytical device that performs the analytical operation based on the schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate after the change.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a technique for managing a schedule according to the progress of cell pretreatment, even when the progress of cell pretreatment is not as planned.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automated experiment system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an object for which one schedule is set. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the hardware configuration of a control device 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a schedule display. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of a schedule display. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a schedule change. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a main routine. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a schedule management subroutine in step S10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an experiment management subroutine in step S20.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0012] [Automated Experiment System] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automated experiment system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The automated experiment system 1 includes a control device 100 and an operation system 200. The control device 100 performs processing to optimize the operation of the operation system 200. The operation system 200 produces and / or processes a target substance. In the example of FIG. 1, the operation system 200 cultivates bacteria. That is, the operation system 200 uses a bacterial strain to generate new bacteria. The operation system 200 performs analysis of samples.

[0013] The operating system 200 includes an incubator 210 , a centrifuge 220 , a sample transport robot 230 , a liquid dispenser 240 , a plate reader 250 , a mass spectrometer 260 , a liquid chromatograph 270 , a rack 280 , and a pretreatment device 290 .

[0014] The control device 100 controls the operation of each element of the operating system 200. More specifically, when a well plate with a bacterial strain and a medium placed in each well is set in the incubator 210, the control device 100 causes the incubator 210 to culture the bacteria. In this embodiment, each well is an example of a "culture unit," and the well plate is an example of a "plate."

[0015] After the start of culturing in the incubator 210, when a predetermined time has elapsed (assuming that a predetermined degree of cell proliferation and metabolism has progressed), the control device 100 causes the sample transport robot 230 to remove the well plate from the incubator 210. The control device 100 then causes the sample transport robot 230 to move the well plate to the plate reader 250, and causes the plate reader 250 to measure the cell density of each well. The control device 100 then causes the sample transport robot 230 to move the well plate to the centrifuge 220, and causes the centrifuge 220 to sink the bacterial cells in each well. The control device 100 also causes the sample transport robot 230 to move to the liquid dispenser 240, and causes the liquid dispenser 240 to remove the supernatant from which the bacterial cells have been separated after centrifugation and dispense it into another well plate, and to add a reagent to each well as necessary.

[0016] Thereafter, the control device 100 causes the sample transport robot 230 to move the well plate to the mass spectrometer 260, and causes the mass spectrometer 260 to perform mass analysis on each well. The control device 100 also causes the sample transport robot 230 to move the well plate to the liquid chromatograph 270, and causes the liquid chromatograph 270 to generate a liquid chromatogram for each well.

[0017] 1, the plate reader 250, mass spectrometer 260, and liquid chromatograph 270 are each an example of an analytical device. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 and other figures, the automated laboratory system 1 manages the experiment schedules of operators. The control device 100 can output control signals to the analytical devices based on the schedule.

[0018] The rack 280 is used to temporarily suspend the culture in the incubator 210. More specifically, while the incubator 210 stores well plates under temperature conditions suitable for culture, the rack 280 stores well plates under conditions for stopping the culture. In FIG. 1 , the rack is assumed to be a stand on which plates at room temperature can be placed, but it may also be a device that keeps plates at an optimum temperature for suppressing or stopping the rate of bacterial growth and substance production. The pretreatment device 290 is used for pretreatment of the culture in the incubator 210.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the target for which one schedule is set. Fig. 2 shows six well plates 20A to 20F. Each of the well plates 20A to 20F includes one or more wells 21.

[0020] In this embodiment, a "group" is defined for one or more well plates that are to be processed according to a common protocol. In the example of FIG. 2, group 201 is defined for well plates 20A to 20F. In this embodiment, a schedule is set for each group. There is no limit to the number of well plates that can make up a group, and it may be as few as one.

[0021] [Hardware Configuration of Management Device] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 100. The control device 100 is configured, for example, by a general-purpose computer. In the example of Fig. 1, the control device 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, an input / output interface (I / F) 103, and a communication I / F 104.

[0022] The processor 101 executes various programs to enable the control device 100 to perform various processes. In this sense, the processor 101 is an example of a controller.

[0023] The memory 102 non-temporarily stores programs executed by the processor 101 and various data required for executing the programs. Note that the memory 102 may be located outside the control device 100 as long as it is accessible from the processor 101. The input / output I / F 103 is an interface that allows the processor 101 to communicate with the incubator 210, centrifuge 220, sample transport robot 230, liquid dispenser 240, plate reader 250, mass spectrometer 260, and liquid chromatograph 270. The communication I / F 104 is an interface that allows the processor 101 to communicate with devices outside the automated laboratory system 1 via a network.

[0024] The control device 100 further includes a display 110 and an input unit 120. The display 110 displays the results of the arithmetic processing performed by the processor 101, and the input unit 120 (a mouse, a keyboard, a touch sensor, etc.) accepts data input operations to the processor 101 by an operator.

[0025] [Schedule] Experiment protocols of operators are registered in the automated experiment system 1. The control device 100 uses the registered protocols to generate an experiment schedule.

[0026] More specifically, an application program (hereinafter also referred to as a "management app") that manages protocols is installed in the control device 100. The protocol defines the order of multiple processes related to an experiment and the content of each process. Each process defined in the protocol may be performed automatically in accordance with a control signal output from the control device 100, or may be performed manually by an operator. The operator inputs the protocol into the control device 100 using the management app. The control device 100 registers the input protocol in the automated experiment system 1 by storing it in memory 102.

[0027] The control device 100 generates a schedule for implementing the protocol using the type and duration of each of the one or more processes included in the protocol. In the schedule, a scheduled start time and / or a scheduled end time are associated with each of the one or more processes included in the protocol. The control device 100 can display the generated schedule on the display 110.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule display, showing a schedule 310. In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis represents the flow of time (specific dates and times).

[0029] The schedule 310 includes five time windows 311 to 315. Each time window is displayed in a manner according to the type of processing. In one implementation, each time window is displayed in a color preset for each type of processing. Each time window may be displayed with an icon representing an item corresponding to the type of processing.

[0030] The types of processing include "preprocessing," "culture," and "analysis." In the example of Fig. 4, time window 311 represents "preprocessing," time windows 312 and 314 represent "culture," and time windows 313 and 315 represent "analysis." The numerical values ​​in each time window represent the estimated required time for each processing.

[0031] An example of "culturing" is culturing cells in the incubator 210. An example of "analysis" is analyzing a sample containing cells after culturing in the plate reader 250, the mass spectrometer 260, or the liquid chromatograph 270. An example of "pretreatment" is pretreatment for culturing in the incubator 210, i.e., preparation of cells to be cultured in the incubator 210. More specifically, if E. coli is selected as the target for culturing, the pretreatment may include thawing frozen E. coli and growing the cells in a liquid medium. The "pretreatment" may be performed automatically in the pretreatment device 290 or manually by an operator. The pretreatment device 290 may determine the completion timing of the pretreatment based on detection results such as the turbidity of the liquid medium. In this sense, the pretreatment device 290 constitutes an example of a monitoring device that monitors the pretreatment.

[0032] Schedule 310 first specifies that a 24-hour pretreatment will be performed, as shown by time window 311. Next, it specifies that a 24-hour culture will be performed, as shown by time window 312. Next, it specifies that a 6-hour analysis will be performed, as shown by time window 313. Next, it specifies that a 24-hour culture will be performed, as shown by time window 314. Next, it specifies that a 6-hour analysis will be performed, as shown by time window 315.

[0033] The schedule may include, in addition to the type of process, specific details of each process (for example, culture conditions such as temperature, the type of device used for analysis, and / or analysis conditions). When displaying the schedule as shown in Fig. 4, the control device 100 may display a pop-up time window that displays specific details of the process corresponding to the time window in response to an operation on the time window (for example, a click operation).

[0034] In the automated laboratory system 1, one schedule (or protocol) may be generated for each sample, or may be generated for two or more samples.

[0035] The automated laboratory system 1 manages experiments involving multiple samples in parallel. In one implementation, the automated laboratory system 1 manages experiments involving six well plates in parallel, with each well plate containing 12 wells. Each well holds one sample. That is, the automated laboratory system 1 can manage experiments involving 144 samples in parallel. Of the 144 samples, a first schedule may be generated for 36 samples, a second schedule may be generated for another 36 samples, and a third schedule may be generated for the remaining 72 samples. In this case, the automated laboratory system 1 manages three schedules in parallel.

[0036] It is not essential that a protocol be used in generating a schedule, and the control device 100 may generate only a schedule for an experiment for which no protocol is registered.

[0037] [Updating a Schedule] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing another example of a display of a schedule, which shows a schedule 310X generated by updating the schedule 310 in Fig. 4 .

[0038] In the schedule 310X of Fig. 5, the time window 311 is increased by two hours compared to the schedule 310 of Fig. 4. In other words, the schedule 310X is an update of the schedule 310 such that the processing corresponding to the time window 311 is extended by two hours.

[0039] In one implementation example, if an operator determines while performing preprocessing that the time required for preprocessing will be longer (or shorter) than expected, the operator inputs information for changing the schedule so that the preprocessing time will be longer (or shorter) into the control device 100. In response to the input, the control device 100 updates the schedule.

[0040] In one implementation, the control device 100 may receive information for modifying the schedule from devices in the operating system 200 .

[0041] More specifically, the control device 100 outputs a control signal to the preprocessing device 290 to instruct the preprocessing device to start preprocessing, based on the time window 311 of the schedule 310 in Fig. 4. If the preprocessing device 290 determines, while performing the preprocessing operation in accordance with the information corresponding to the time window 311, that the time required for preprocessing will be changed from the scheduled time (to be longer or shorter), the preprocessing device 290 transmits information to the control device 100 to change the schedule so that the preprocessing time will be changed. The transmitted information may include information specifying how much the preprocessing time will be changed. The determination of whether the time required for preprocessing will be changed from the scheduled time and how much the preprocessing time will be changed may be based on the detection results of the turbidity, etc., as described above.

[0042] In addition, the pre-processing device 290 may periodically transmit detection results such as turbidity to the control device 100, and the control device 100 may use the detection results to determine whether a schedule change is necessary and how long (or short) the pre-processing time should be.

[0043] [Management of Multiple Schedules] When multiple schedules are managed in parallel by executing the management application, the control device 100 generates a schedule for using the work system 200 so that the processes defined by each of the multiple schedules do not conflict with each other.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing yet another example of a schedule display. Fig. 6 shows two schedules (schedule 310 and schedule 320) on a common time axis. Schedule 320 includes a time window 321 representing "pretreatment," a time window 322 representing "culture," and a time window 323 representing "analysis."

[0045] The following description is based on the assumption that schedule 310 corresponds to an experiment involving a first group of wells, and schedule 320 corresponds to an experiment involving a second group of wells.

[0046] In this embodiment, a "conflict" between two or more protocols means that the "analysis" times overlap. In the example of Fig. 6, there is no overlap in the "analysis" times between schedule 310 and schedule 320.

[0047] 6 , the control device 100 outputs a control signal to the operation system 200 instructing the operation system 200 to analyze the first group of wells in response to the arrival of the start time of the time window 313. This control signal includes an instruction to the sample transport robot 230 to move the sample plate including the first group of wells to an analysis device (plate reader 250, mass spectrometer 260, or liquid chromatograph 270), and an instruction to the analysis device to analyze each sample in the first group of wells.

[0048] 6 , the control device 100 outputs a control signal to the operation system 200 instructing the operation system 200 to analyze the second group of wells in response to the start time of the time window 323. This control signal includes an instruction to the sample transport robot 230 to move the sample plate including the second group of wells to the analysis device, and an instruction to the analysis device to analyze each sample in the second group of wells.

[0049] 6, the control device 100 outputs a control signal to the operation system 200 instructing the operation system 200 to analyze the first group of wells in response to the start time of the time window 315. This control signal includes an instruction to the sample transport robot 230 to move the sample plate including the first group of wells to the analysis device, and an instruction to the analysis device to analyze each sample in the first group of wells.

[0050] When two schedules 310 and 320 are stored in the automated experiment system 1, the control device 100 basically generates a schedule for the entire automated experiment system 1 by simply combining the two schedules 310 and 320.

[0051] If a conflict occurs, the control device 100 changes at least one of the schedules 310 and 320 so that the conflict does not occur. The change in the schedule may be a change in the scheduled start time, or may be an insertion of a "pause" process, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0052] 7 is a diagram for explaining schedule changes. Two schedules are shown in each of (A) to (F) in FIG. 7. Unless otherwise specified, the reference symbols of the multiple time windows are the same throughout (A) to (F), and the time axis is the same.

[0053] 7, (A) and (B) show no conflict between the two schedules, but (C) shows a conflict between the two schedules. Therefore, the control device 100 changes at least one of the two schedules from the state shown in (C) to one of the states shown in (D) to (F). The contents of FIG. 7 will be explained in more detail below.

[0054] In FIG. 7A, similar to FIG. 6, two schedules 310 and 320 are simply combined.

[0055] In Figure 7B, schedule 320 has been updated to schedule 320X by extending the processing corresponding to time window 321 by one hour. In Figure 7B, time window 321 has been extended by one hour, which delays the scheduled start and end times of both time window 322 and time window 323 by one hour. However, this delay does not cause a conflict between the two schedules 310 and 320X. In this case, the control device 100 generates (updates) a schedule for the entire automated laboratory system 1 by simply combining the two schedules 310 and 320X.

[0056] 7C, schedule 320 is updated to schedule 320Y by extending the processing corresponding to time window 321 by three hours. In FIG. 7C, the extension of time window 321 by three hours delays the start and end times of both time window 322 and time window 323 by three hours, causing time window 315 and time window 323 to overlap in time. In other words, a conflict occurs between the two schedules 310 and 320Y.

[0057] When a conflict occurs, the control device 100 does not simply combine the two schedules 310 and 320Y, but inserts a processing "pause" into at least one of the schedules 310 and 320Y.

[0058] "Temporarily stopping" the process means that the well plate is placed in the rack 280.

[0059] 7D shows an example in which a pause is inserted after the process "incubation." In this example, schedule 320Y is updated to schedule 320P. Compared to schedule 320Y in (C), schedule 320P in (D) further includes time window 329, which is inserted so that time window 323 does not temporally overlap with time window 315. Time window 329 is inserted after time window 322. Time window 329 represents the process "pause."

[0060] 7E shows an example in which a pause is inserted during the process "incubation." In this example, schedule 320Y is updated to schedule 320Q. Schedule 320Q in (E) further includes time window 329 inserted into time window 322, as compared to schedule 320Y in (C). Note that in (E), time window 322 is shown as time windows 322A and 322B due to the insertion of time window 329.

[0061] 7F shows an example in which a pause is inserted into the non-delayed schedule (schedule 310). In this example, schedule 310 is updated to schedule 310Y. Schedule 310Y in (F) further includes time window 329 inserted after time window 314, as compared to schedule 310 in (C).

[0062] 7, in each of (D) to (F), a "pause" is inserted, thereby avoiding conflicts between multiple schedules without changing the length of incubation time in the incubator 210. As a result, even if the timing of incubation and analysis for the first and / or second groups is changed due to a deviation in the progress of pre-treatment of the second group of cells, the schedule of the entire automated experiment system 1 is adjusted so that the analysis for the first group and the analysis for the second group do not overlap in time in the analyzer. This provides a technique for managing the schedule of the entire automated experiment system 1 according to the progress of cell pre-treatment, even if the progress of cell pre-treatment is not as planned.

[0063] In addition to the modes (D) to (F), conflicts may be avoided by inserting a "pause" process before culturing in the incubator 210. In other words, the automated laboratory system 1 can assume multiple modes for inserting a "pause" process, including the modes (D) to (F). The conditions for selecting the mode to be actually adopted from the multiple modes can be set as appropriate.

[0064] When priorities are set for multiple parallel schedules (multiple protocols), the control device 100 may select a mode in which the process "pause" is inserted into the schedule with the lower priority.

[0065] The control device 100 may select a mode in which the end time of the experiment for the entire automated experiment system 1 is earlier. More specifically, the end time of the entire automated experiment system 1 in (D) is the end time of time window 323 in schedule 320P. The end time of the entire automated experiment system 1 in (E) is the end time of time window 323 in schedule 320Q. The end time of the entire automated experiment system 1 in (F) is the end time of time window 315 in schedule 310Y. The end time of time window 315 in schedule 310Y is earlier than the end time of time window 323 in schedule 320P and the end time of time window 323 in schedule 320Q. In such a case, the control device 100 may select the mode shown in (F).

[0066] In the automated laboratory system 1, schedule updates are not limited to those caused by an extension of processing time. Even if the processing time in at least one schedule is shortened, the schedules can be updated while avoiding conflicts as described above. One example of a case in which processing time is shortened is when cell growth progresses at a faster-than-expected rate in preparatory culture performed as pretreatment.

[0067] 8 to 10, the details of the processing performed in the automated experiment system 1 will be described. In one implementation example, this processing is performed by the control device 100 as the processor 101 executes the management application.

[0068] 8 is a flowchart of the main routine. In one implementation example, the main routine is started in response to an operation on the control device 100 to start the management application.

[0069] 8, in the main routine, the control device 100 continuously performs schedule management in step S10 and experiment management in step S20 until an instruction to terminate the management app is received in step S30. The details of the schedule management in step S10 will be described later with reference to FIG. 9. The details of the experiment management in step S20 will be described later with reference to FIG. 10.

[0070] 9 is a flowchart of the schedule management subroutine of step S10. Referring to FIG. 9, in step S11, control device 100 determines whether a new protocol has been registered. If control device 100 determines that a new protocol has been registered (YES in step S11), control proceeds to step S12; otherwise (NO in step S11), control proceeds to step S15.

[0071] In step S12, the control device 100 reads the new protocol from the memory 102.

[0072] In step S13, the control device 100 uses the protocol read in step S12 to generate a schedule for the protocol.

[0073] In step S14, the control device 100 displays the schedule generated in step S13 on the display 110. At this time, as shown in Fig. 6, the schedule generated in step S13 may be displayed simultaneously with schedules of other protocols.

[0074] In step S15, control device 100 determines whether information requiring a schedule change has been input. Information requiring a schedule change is, for example, information indicating that a process has been extended or shortened, or that a process has been delayed or advanced in one or more schedules currently being executed. More specifically, one example of the information is information for changing the schedule input by a worker. Another example is information for changing the schedule input from preprocessing device 290. If control device 100 determines that information requiring a schedule change has been input (YES in step S15), control proceeds to step S16; otherwise (NO in step S15), control returns to FIG. 8 .

[0075] In step S16, the control device 100 reads out the information input as "information requiring a schedule change."

[0076] In step S17, the control device 100 updates the schedule based on the “information requiring a change to the schedule.” In one implementation example, the schedule update is realized in the manner described with reference to FIG.

[0077] In step S18, control device 100 displays the updated schedule on display 110. Thereafter, control device 100 returns the control to FIG.

[0078] Next, the contents of the experiment management in step S20 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the experiment management subroutine in step S20.

[0079] In step S21, the control device 100 reads out the schedule stored in the memory 102.

[0080] In step S22, the control device 100 determines whether the scheduled start time of any of the processes included in the schedule read out in step S21 has arrived. If the control device 100 determines that the scheduled start time of any process has arrived (YES in step S22), the control proceeds to step S23; otherwise (NO in step S22), the control proceeds to step S24.

[0081] In step S23, the control device 100 transmits an instruction to start work to a device in the work system 200. In one implementation example, the device to which the instruction is to be transmitted is specified in a protocol corresponding to the schedule for the process of determining that the scheduled start time has arrived.

[0082] In step S24, the control device 100 determines whether an error has occurred in any device in the operation system 200. In one implementation example, when an error occurs in a device in the operation system 200, the device transmits an error signal to the control device 100. When the control device 100 receives an error signal from any device in step S24, the control device 100 determines in step S24 that an error has occurred in that device. If the control device 100 determines that an error has occurred in any device (YES in step S24), the control proceeds to step S25; otherwise (NO in step S24), the control returns to FIG. 8 .

[0083] In step S25, control device 100 notifies the user of the error and returns the control to FIG.

[0084] After notifying the error, the control device 100 may set an error flag. Upon recognizing the error notification, the worker performs work to resolve the error in the work system 200. Then, when the worker completes the work, the worker inputs the completion of the work into the control device 100. In response to the input of the completion of the work to resolve the error, the control device 100 may lower the error flag and return control to FIG. 8.

[0085] After notifying the error, the control device 100 may set an error flag, and when the worker recognizes the error notification, the worker may input the fact that he or she recognized the notification to the control device 100 and decide to delay the schedule. In response to the input of the fact that he or she recognized the notification, the control device 100 may lower the error flag and return control to FIG. 8. In accordance with the decision to delay the schedule, the worker may input a change to the schedule to the control device 100. The control device 100 may detect that this change has been input in step S15 of FIG. 9 and read out the content of the change in step S16 of FIG. 9.

[0086] Aspects It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0087] (Item 1) An automated experiment system according to one aspect comprises an incubator that provides an environment for culturing cells, an analyzer that performs an analysis operation on the cells cultured in the incubator, a storage device that stores a schedule for each plate introduced into the analyzer, and a controller that outputs control signals to the incubator and the analyzer based on the schedule for each plate, wherein the plate includes one or more culture units, each of which holds a sample containing cells, the schedule including a culture time window corresponding to the culturing in the incubator and an analysis time window corresponding to the analysis operation in the analyzer, and each of the one or more culture units holds a sample containing cells. the one or more culture units include one or more culture units constituting a first plate and one or more culture units constituting a second plate, and in response to receiving an input of a change in the start time of the culture time window for the first plate, the controller may change at least one of a schedule for the first plate and a schedule for the second plate in accordance with the change so that the analysis time window of the first plate and the analysis time window of the second plate do not overlap in time, and output a control signal to the analysis device based on the changed schedule for the first plate and the changed schedule for the second plate.

[0088] The automated experiment system described in paragraph 1 provides a technique for managing a schedule according to the progress of cell pretreatment, even if the progress of cell pretreatment is not as planned.

[0089] (Clause 2) In the automated laboratory system described in paragraph 1, changing at least one of the schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate may include adding a pause time window to the culture time window of at least one of the first plate and the second plate immediately before, after, or within the culture time window, corresponding to a measure to temporarily stop culture.

[0090] According to the automated laboratory system described in paragraph 2, a measure is taken to temporarily stop the incubation before the analytical operation in the analytical device, thereby allowing the analytical operation to be started at an appropriate time.

[0091] (Clause 3) In the automated laboratory system described in paragraph 1 or paragraph 2, the controller may acquire a protocol for the first plate and a protocol for the second plate, construct a schedule for the first plate based on the protocol for the first plate, and construct a schedule for the second plate based on the protocol for the second plate.

[0092] According to the automated experiment system described in Section 3, once an operator has created a protocol, he or she is not required to create a schedule for implementing the protocol.

[0093] (4) In the automated laboratory system described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, the schedule may further include a pretreatment window corresponding to a pretreatment of the cells.

[0094] According to the automated laboratory system described in Section 4, the pretreatment process can be managed in the same way as the incubation and analysis processes.

[0095] (5) The automated experiment system described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 4 may further include a display device that displays the schedule.

[0096] According to the automated experiment system described in Section 5, even if a change occurs in the schedule, the operator can recognize the change.

[0097] (Item 6) The automated laboratory system described in any one of Items 1 to 5 may further include a monitoring device that monitors the pretreatment of the cells.

[0098] According to the automated experiment system described in Section 6, the progress of the pre-processing is objectively recognized as the output of the monitoring device, and thus the progress of the pre-processing can be accurately grasped.

[0099] (7) In the automated laboratory system described in 6, the monitoring device may output the input of the change to the controller.

[0100] According to the automatic experiment system described in Section 7, objective information, namely the output of the monitoring device, is used as input for changing the start time of the culture time window, thereby allowing the start time of the culture time window to be changed appropriately.

[0101] (Clause 8) A program according to one aspect is a program executed by a controller connected to a storage device that stores schedules for a first plate and a second plate, each of the first plate and the second plate including one or more culture units, and the schedule including a culture time window corresponding to the culture of cells after pretreatment and an analysis time window corresponding to an analytical operation on the cells after the culture. When executed by the controller, the program may cause the controller to perform the following steps: receiving an input of a change to a start time of the culture time window for the first plate; modifying at least one of the schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate in accordance with the change in response to receiving the input of the change so that the analysis time window of the first plate and the analysis time window of the second plate do not overlap in time; and outputting a control signal to an analytical device that performs the analytical operation based on the schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate after the change.

[0102] According to the program described in item 8, a technique is provided for managing a schedule according to the progress of cell pretreatment, even when the progress of cell pretreatment is not as planned.

[0103] (Clause 9) In the program described in Clause 8, the modifying step may include adding a pause time window corresponding to a measure to temporarily stop culturing to the culture time window of at least one of the first plate and the second plate, immediately before, immediately after, or within the culture time window.

[0104] According to the program described in paragraph 9, a measure is taken to temporarily stop the culture before the analysis operation in the analyzer, so that the analysis operation can be started at an appropriate timing.

[0105] (Clause 10) The program described in clause 8 or clause 9 may further cause the controller to perform the steps of acquiring a protocol for the first plate and a protocol for the second plate, constructing a schedule for the first plate based on the protocol for the first plate, and constructing a schedule for the second plate based on the protocol for the second plate.

[0106] According to the program described in paragraph 10, once a worker generates a protocol, he or she is not required to generate a schedule for realizing the protocol.

[0107] (Item 11) In the program according to any one of items 8 to 10, the schedule may further include a pre-processing window corresponding to the pre-processing.

[0108] According to the program described in paragraph 11, the pretreatment process can be managed in the same manner as the culture and analysis processes.

[0109] (12) The program according to any one of the eighth to eleventh paragraphs may further cause the controller to execute a step of displaying the schedule.

[0110] According to the program described in paragraph 12, even if a change occurs in the schedule, the worker can recognize the change.

[0111] (Clause 13) In the program described in any one of clauses 8 to 12, the input of the change may include a result of monitoring the pre-processing from a monitoring device that monitors the pre-processing.

[0112] According to the program described in paragraph 13, objective information, namely the output of the monitoring device, is used as input for changing the start time of the culture time window, thereby allowing the start time of the culture time window to be changed appropriately.

[0113] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above-described embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is intended that each technique in the embodiments can be implemented alone or, if necessary, in combination with other techniques in the embodiments to the extent possible.

[0114] 1 Automatic experiment system, 20A to 20F Well plate, 21 Well, 100 Control device, 101 Processor, 102 Memory, 110 Display, 120 Input unit, 200 Working system, 210 Incubator, 220 Centrifuge, 230 Sample transport robot, 240 Liquid dispenser, 250 Plate reader, 260 Mass spectrometer, 270 Liquid chromatograph, 280 Rack, 290 Pretreatment device, 310, 310X, 310Y, 320, 320P, 320Q, 320X, 320Y Schedule, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 321, 322, 323, 329 Time window.

Claims

1. A system comprising: an incubator that provides an environment for culturing cells; an analyzer that performs an analysis operation on the cells cultured in the incubator; a storage device that stores a schedule for each plate to be introduced into the analyzer; and a controller that outputs control signals to the incubator and the analyzer based on the schedule for each plate, wherein the plate includes one or more culture units, each of the one or more culture units holding a sample including cells, the schedule includes a culture time window corresponding to culturing in the incubator and an analysis time window corresponding to an analysis operation in the analyzer, the one or more culture units including one or more culture units constituting a first plate and one or more culture units constituting a second plate, and the controller, in response to receiving an input of a change in a start time of the culture time window for the first plate, changes at least one of the schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate in accordance with the change so that the analysis time window of the first plate and the analysis time window of the second plate do not overlap in time, an automated laboratory system that outputs control signals to the analytical device based on the modified first plate schedule and the modified second plate schedule.

2. The automated laboratory system of claim 1, wherein changing at least one of the schedules of the first plate and the second plate includes adding a pause time window immediately before, after, or within the culture time window of at least one of the first plate and the second plate, the pause time window corresponding to a measure to temporarily stop culture.

3. The automated laboratory system of claim 1, wherein the controller: acquires a protocol for the first plate and a protocol for the second plate; constructs a schedule for the first plate based on the protocol for the first plate; and constructs a schedule for the second plate based on the protocol for the second plate.

4. The automated laboratory system of claim 1, wherein the schedule further includes a pretreatment time window corresponding to a pretreatment of the cells.

5. The automated laboratory system of claim 1, further comprising a display device for displaying said schedule.

6. The automated laboratory system of claim 1, further comprising a monitoring device for monitoring the pretreatment of the cells.

7. The automated laboratory system of claim 6, wherein the monitoring device outputs an input of the change to the controller.

8. A program executed by a controller connected to a storage device storing schedules for each of a first plate and a second plate, each of the first plate and the second plate including one or more culture sections, the schedule including a culture time window corresponding to the culture of cells after pretreatment, and an analysis time window corresponding to an analytical operation on the cells after the culture, the program, when executed by the controller, causes the controller to perform the following steps: receiving an input of a change to a start time of the culture time window for the first plate; modifying at least one of the schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate in accordance with the change in response to receiving the input of the change so that the analysis time window of the first plate and the analysis time window of the second plate do not overlap in time; and outputting a control signal to an analytical device that performs the analytical operation based on the schedule for the first plate and the schedule for the second plate after the change.

9. The program described in claim 8, wherein the modifying step includes adding a pause time window immediately before, after, or within the culture time window of at least one of the first plate and the second plate, the pause time window corresponding to a measure to temporarily stop culture.

10. The program of claim 8, further causing the controller to perform the steps of: acquiring a protocol for the first plate and a protocol for the second plate; constructing a schedule for the first plate based on the protocol for the first plate; and constructing a schedule for the second plate based on the protocol for the second plate.

11. The program of claim 8, wherein the schedule further includes a pre-processing time window corresponding to the pre-processing.

12. The program product of claim 8, further causing said controller to execute the step of displaying said schedule.

13. The program of claim 8, wherein the input of the change includes a result of monitoring the pre-processing from a monitoring device that monitors the pre-processing.

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