At FA Bio, we believe that scientific innovation starts from the ground up, quite literally. From our pioneering soil microbiome research to the way we run our labs, we’re committed to building smarter systems that accelerate discovery while optimising how we use time, materials and energy.
The introduction of our new automated plate preparation system has had a transformative impact, not just on productivity, but on how we operate as an innovative and modern lab. By streamlining a previously manual and resource-intensive task, we’ve created a smarter, safer and more scalable workflow. With faster media preparation and high-throughput pouring, we’ve cut overall production time by more than half, enabling us to focus our resources on higher-value scientific work.
The improved consistency of the process also means fewer failed batches and less material waste, contributing to a more sustainable lab footprint. Perhaps most importantly, the upgrade has made routine tasks safer and more ergonomic, minimising repetitive strain and improving day-to-day working conditions for our team. In short, this isn’t just an equipment upgrade, it’s a shift toward smarter, more responsible science.
The Challenge: manual, time-intensive petri dish production
Before this upgrade, producing Petri dishes was a labour-intensive, repetitive task. On a typical day, our team could manually prepare up to 200 small plates, requiring hours of autoclaving, biosafety cabinet booking, cleaning and hands-on pouring. The process, while effective, was resource-heavy, physically demanding and limited in scale.
The Solution: smarter equipment, streamlined processes
We’ve now integrated two state-of-the-art systems into our microbiology lab, marking a significant leap forward in how we produce and manage clean consumables.
See it in action: https://youtu.be/hs3gBRgQLro
MediaClave – Intelligent Media Preparation
• Fast and even sterilisation ensures media consistency at scale
• Precise temperature control with custom sterilisation and cooling parameters protects sensitive media components
• Integrated magnetic stirring prevents settling and guarantees homogeneity
• Touchscreen interface provides real-time monitoring of pressure, temperature, and cycle status
• Closed-loop integration allows sterile media to flow directly into the plate pourer without exposure
APS One – Automated Petri Dish Filling
• High-throughput output: Up to 900 plates/hour depending on media and settings
• Precise dispensing with adjustable volumes for tailored applications
• Automatic stacking and handling reduce manual workload and improves ergonomics
• Heated, sterile closed tubing system with UV sterilisation minimises contamination risk
• Energy-efficient design reduces both resource usage and operator fatigue
What we’ve achieved so far
Since implementing the new system, the improvements have been both immediate and measurable. We’ve more than tripled our production capacity, increasing output from approximately 200 to over 700 Petri dishes per cycle. The new workflow has also minimised manual handling, which enhances safety and reduces physical strain for our lab team. With production time dropping significantly, from half a day to just a few hours, it frees up valuable time and energy for our team of expert scientists to focus on more impactful scientific work – where our expertise can really make a difference.
In addition to these operational gains, the upgrade has led to a notable reduction in energy consumption by streamlining sterilisation and eliminating redundant autoclave cycles. This shift not only strengthens our lab’s resilience but also supports a more scalable and future-ready research environment.
Building a better future
This upgrade has not only made our lab more efficient, but it’s also made it more sustainable and scalable. Our team of experts can now spend less time on repetitive preparation tasks and more time doing what really matters – advancing microbial science that supports regenerative agriculture and environmental resilience.
At FA Bio, every operational improvement feeds into a larger mission – to deliver sustainable farming solutions efficiently. These new systems are a reflection of our mission in action.
Ana Dionisio, Microbiology Laboratory Technician
