Prinses Máxima Center's Partnership with Volta Labs
The Prinses Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology is making headlines with its recent acquisition of the Callisto™ platform from Volta Labs. This major step forward aims to enhance efficiency in sample preparation across a variety of genomics workflows, specifically designed for both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing platforms.
Advancing Pediatric Cancer Care
As the largest pediatric cancer center in Europe, the Prinses Máxima Center is dedicated to merging clinical care with cutting-edge research to provide better outcomes for children facing cancer. The implementation of Callisto will significantly advance their capabilities in genomics by increasing efficiency and reproducibility. This will also lessen the hands-on time needed from laboratory staff, allowing them to concentrate on critical tasks.
Streamlining Complex Workflows
Bastiaan Tops, Head of Laboratory for Childhood Cancer Pathology at the center, expressed enthusiasm about the Callisto platform. “Callisto's full walk-away automation for multiple sequencing approaches will allow us to establish Illumina whole-genome sequencing as a standard of care for all pediatric patients, while at the same time supporting the adoption of Oxford Nanopore sequencing for rapid diagnosis,” he noted. By simplifying complex sequencing workflows, Callisto enables the team to devote more of their expertise to improving patient outcomes.
Innovative Automation Solutions
The Callisto platform is an automated system for extraction, library preparation, and target enrichment, which is compact and user-friendly. Its adaptable design permits clinical and research labs to streamline numerous sequencing applications across different platforms without needing specialized technical knowledge, making it a versatile solution in the realm of genomics.
Volta Labs' Commitment to Genomic Technologies
Udayan Umpathi, the CEO of Volta Labs, expressed pride in partnering with the Prinses Máxima Center. Umpathi highlighted, “I was inspired to see how the team at Prinses Máxima is applying advanced genomic technologies as the standard of care, particularly for children with cancer.” This collaboration is viewed as a progressive move toward enhancing technologies that provide essential insights to patients in a timely manner.
Meeting Global NGS Demands
The growing global demand for automation solutions in next-generation sequencing (NGS) reflects a shift toward improving efficiency, accuracy, and scalability in genomic practices. The adoption of Callisto at the Prinses Máxima Center is a testament to this trend, showcasing how innovative solutions can substantially improve patient care in oncology.
About Prinses Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology
The Prinses Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology is dedicated to delivering optimal care and conducting pioneering research for children battling cancer. Situated in Utrecht, The Netherlands, this center prides itself on innovation, collaboration, and excellence, aiming to cure every child with cancer while ensuring the highest quality of life.
About Volta Labs
Volta Labs is at the forefront of genomics applications, having developed a state-of-the-art digital fluidics platform designed to optimize performance and scalability in sample preparation processes. This ensures consistency across genomic workflows, significantly contributing to advancements in genomic research.
Media Contact
For further inquiries, contact Nicole Ellis Ovadia, Director of Strategic Marketing at Volta Labs, located in Seaport, MA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Callisto™ platform?
The Callisto™ platform is an automated system that enhances genomic workflows by streamlining sample preparation for sequencing.
How does Callisto benefit pediatric cancer care?
Callisto improves efficiency and reduces hands-on time for laboratory staff, which allows them to focus more on patient care and outcomes.
Who leads the laboratory at the Prinses Máxima Center?
Bastiaan Tops is the Head of Laboratory for Childhood Cancer Pathology at the Prinses Máxima Center.
What sequencing platforms does Callisto support?
Callisto supports sequencing platforms such as Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT).
What is the mission of the Prinses Máxima Center?
The mission of the Prinses Máxima Center is to cure every child with cancer, ensuring optimal quality of life through integrated care and research.
