The MBT Pathfinder is an automated colony-picking robot designed for efficient sample preparation in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. This article presents results from three key experiments evaluating the instrument's performance in conjunction with MALDI Biotyper instrument. The method comparison experiment assessed its clinical performance, demonstrating comparable results with gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria (scores larger than 2.00) and superior performance over simple direct yeast transfer (score: 1.80) when compared to samples prepared manually. The repeatability experiment confirmed consistent performance over multiple days and labs (average log score: 2.12, std. deviation: 0.59). The challenge panel experiment showcased its consistent and accurate performance across various samples and settings, yielding average scores between 1.76 and 2.19. These findings underline the MBT Pathfinder as a reliable and efficient tool for MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry sample preparation in clinical and research applications.

• Klíčová slova
• MALDI-TOF, MBT Pathfinder, automation, colony picking, mass spectrometry, sample preparation,
• MeSH
• Bacteria * klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• laboratorní automatizace * metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• odběr biologického vzorku metody   MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• robotika * MeSH
• spektrometrie hmotnostní - ionizace laserem za účasti matrice * metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH