Barcoded provision list for a Biomek robot used at a COVID-19 testing centre

Barcoded provision list on a yellow background for ethanol, nuclease-free water, isopropanol, for Biomek 1, also known as Black Widow, named after the Marvel character, in use at Cambridge COVID-19 Test Centre, based at the Anne McLaren Building on the University of Cambridge Biomedical Campus, April 2020 - April 2021

Each of the Biomek robots used to automate parts of the COVID-19 testing process at Cambridge COVID-19 Test Centre, were named after Marvel characters. To make ordering the supplies they needed easier, laboratory workers could scan a barcode.

Delivered in just five weeks rather than the normal six month fit out for a testing laboratory the Cambridge COVID-19 Test Centre tested 3 million samples during its year of operation. 14 robots speeded up the testing rate by six times. The Test Centre was originally a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, AstraZeneca and GSK, staffed by volunteers from the three sites, many of leaving their studies or roles for a few months, or taking on additional jobs. Volunteers worked in shift patterns in the same role to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In June 2020, the testing centre transition to a directly employed workforce, rather than relying on volunteers. The laboratory was run by Charles River Laboratories with 200 staff.