DKMS Life Science Lab Signs Pilot Agreement with UniteLabs

We’re delighted to share that DKMS Life Science Lab has signed a pilot agreement with UniteLabs to bring vendor-agnostic, Python-first automation to their liquid handling workflows.

Based in Dresden, Germany, DKMS Life Science Lab is one of Europe's most advanced high-throughput genotyping labs, processing around one million donor samples a year (German residents can register here).

Their automation team runs complex, high-volume workflows, and is now investing in a software foundation that can scale with them. This pilot project starts with the Tecan Freedom EVO liquid handler and key peripheral devices.

From Vendor Silos to One Automation Language

High-throughput genotyping labs like DKMS run complex, multi-step workflows — and the software layer underneath them rarely keeps pace. Instrument control is typically vendor-specific, LIMS connectivity relies on manual handoffs, and deep platform knowledge ends up concentrated in a handful of people.

The pilot targets two problems directly. First: workflow automation. Working alongside DKMS engineers, the UniteLabs team will build and validate a DNA quantification workflow on the Tecan Freedom EVO. It is expected to be the first of an expanding automation library that the DKMS team owns.

Second: LIMS integration. UniteLabs connects directly into the DKMS lab information management system (LIMS). Thanks to our code-first approach, integrating with their internal endpoints is radically simple and enables data to flow automatically from workflow execution into the systems that depend on it.

Everything runs on DKMS-managed infrastructure, on-premise (crucial for patient privacy), with true version control and acceptance testing built in from day one. The goal is to build a foundation that DKMS engineers can extend independently, in Python and without being tied to any device vendor through compliance with the SiLA lab automation standard.

Why DKMS Chose UniteLabs

"We're starting with a pilot deployment of UniteLabs to validate our vision: technology-agnostic, vendor-independent lab automation that accelerates innovation and reduces proprietary constraints,” said Dr. Vinzenz Lange, CTO at DKMS Life Science Lab.  

“This proof-of-concept will demonstrate how modern development practices and seamless system integration can enhance our core mission – delivering exceptional genotyping services and supporting therapies against hematologic diseases at an unprecedented scale.”

Robert Zechlin, Co-CEO of UniteLabs, adds: “By switching to UniteLabs, we unite the work of the DKMS Life Science Lab team under one language. This project will demonstrate the value of our core mission, which is to wire labs for breakthroughs.”