The startup has developed a coverslip staining device that automates microscopy sample staining using thin capillary exchange chambers for precise reagent delivery. This technology provides customizable, low-throughput tissue staining automation, enhancing efficiency and reducing the need for manual buffer replacement.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Spatial biology researchers face challenges with manual, multi-step sample preparation protocols that are labor-intensive, prone to variability, and consume substantial amounts of expensive reagents, hindering scalability and consistency. This time-consuming process detracts from valuable research time and delays critical discoveries.
Solution
Parhelia Bio offers automated sample preparation solutions for spatial biology, increasing efficiency, consistency, and data quality. The Omni-Stainer and Spatial Station platforms automate tissue staining using capillary exchange chambers for precise reagent delivery, reducing reagent usage by 50-75% compared to open-top methods. The systems support a range of applications, from basic stains like H&E and IHC to advanced protocols like PhenoCycler, GeoMx, and IMC. The push-button automation streamlines workflows, minimizes manual handling, and ensures reproducible results.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes spatial biology researchers and clinical labs seeking to automate and standardize their sample preparation workflows for improved efficiency and data quality.
Features
- Uniform Capillary Gap Staining: Reduces reagent usage and artifacts while improving signal-to-noise.
- Precise Temperature Control: Enables baking, HIER, and overnight incubations reproducibly (0-100 °C).
- Automated Panel Mixing: Facilitates complex antibody panel creation with inventory management.
- Open System: Compatible with user-defined chemistries and reagents.
- Touchscreen Protocol Builder: Intuitive interface for creating, editing, and customizing protocols with run report viewing.
- Plug-n-Play Applications & Kits: Automates routine assays with turnkey verified protocols and single-use Skylab kits.
- Air displacement pipetting: Zero dead volume with onboard reagent mixing and disposable tips with microliter precision (0.6 uL).
- Stainworks™ online app: Validated staining protocol files in one place, eliminating the need for coding and allowing easy customization.