On 4 April, Shanghai carried out COVID-19 testing for 25 million residents across the city. In response, MGI deployed multiple automated nucleic acid testing systems, supported by teams from Anhui and Qingdao, to contribute to the city’s pandemic response.
MGI Deployed Automated & Integrated Nucleic Acid Detection Mobile Platform from Anhui to Shanghai Overnight
On the evening of 28 March, seven professional nucleic acid testing teams from Anhui Province were prepared to support Shanghai. They brought an automated and integrated nucleic acid testing platform along with four nucleic acid detection vehicles equipped with MGI automation systems. The combined daily testing capacity can reach up to 14,000 tubes per day when MGI’s three powerful automation systems are used together: the MGISTP-7000 automated sample transfer processing system, the MGISP-960 high-throughput automatic sample preparation system, and the MGISP-NE384 high-throughput automated nucleic acid extractor.
To ensure smooth operation, MGI engineers responded immediately and worked continuously for 48 hours to commission and debug the equipment. In addition to installation and maintenance, MGI engineer Donghui and his colleagues provided on-site technical support whenever issues arose.
MGI Deployed Automation System from Qingdao to Assist Shanghai, Boosting Daily Testing Capacity to 1 Million
MGI Qingdao also assembled a 24-person professional team with a full set of automation equipment to support Shanghai, completing the equipment dismantling overnight. Despite personnel shortages and high pressure, the team ensured all equipment was operational on time.
MGI’s automation systems—including the MGISTP-7000, MGISP-960, and MGISP-NE384—work together to achieve a daily testing capacity of 50,000 single-tube samples, reaching up to 1 million per day with 20-in-1 batch testing.
The MGISTP-7000 automated sample transfer processing system is designed for fully automated pre-processing of sample tubes. It can transfer up to 192 samples from airtight or plain tubes to 96-well microplates in 40 minutes, reducing labour, saving time, and lowering cross-infection risks in diagnostic laboratories.
In response to the newly introduced “20-in-1” mixed sampling requirements, the upgraded MGISTP-7000 can process original 20–30 ml sample tubes with caps by replacing the gripper and tube decapping module and using a new sample G rack. It is the first automation system in China capable of 20-in-1 mixed sampling, providing urgent support for large-scale nucleic acid testing.
The MGISP-NE384 is a high-throughput automated nucleic acid extractor using magnetic rod technology, efficiently completing viral nucleic acid extraction and purification. The MGISP-960 automates nucleic acid extraction and library preparation. Together, MGI’s automated laboratory systems enable a streamlined workflow with standardization, automation, digital management, and visualisation, reducing tedious pre-analytical steps and the workload of lab technicians, playing a critical role in Shanghai’s COVID-19 response.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, MGI’s mobile platforms have supported over 24 cities nationwide, improving large-scale testing efficiency while ensuring safer lab environments. MGI continues to collaborate across society to leverage science and technology to protect the global community.
