‘To enable precision molecular diagnostics’ was our goal when we started building Manta - our automated DNA/RNA extraction device.  Every detail, from its design and functionality to the way it’s offered, was shaped by this goal.

But molecular labs have unique nuances. Starting sample types vary. Workflows evolve.  Requirements shift. In research settings, especially where protocols are often experimental and sample sources are unpredictable, rigid systems can easily become roadblocks. To meet this reality, we’ve pushed past old limitations. Manta now operates as an open system. Labs can now use Manta with other bead-based extraction kits, giving them the flexibility to adapt to different workflows. Whether you're a diagnostics lab running hereditary cancer tests or a research group handling biobank samples, this means something powerful: the freedom to integrate automation into your workflow.

Many of our users had workflows that were already optimized. Changing reagents would have meant starting from scratch. By opening up Manta, we’re giving labs the flexibility to automate on their own terms,

says Rohit Asil, Co-founder, Cambrian Bioworks.

This shift is also about continuity. In conversations with our users, many pointed to long-term studies - projects that began years ago using manual extraction methods, validated protocols, and highly trained teams. They’ve been optimized over time and are tightly woven into ongoing research. Now, as these studies move closer to clinical application, the pressure to scale increases, but so does the need to preserve what’s already working. 

We know how much effort goes into building a reliable workflow - the trial and error, the validation, the people behind it. We don’t want labs to change everything for our system. Instead, we’ve built Manta to adapt to their needs and enable them to scale when they’re ready

says Vaibhav Hegde, CEO, Cambrian Bioworks.

It’s crucial that this flexibility is backed by trust. Manta is CE-IVD certified, ensuring it continues to meet the rigorous standards required in regulated environments, even as it opens up to support more workflows.

We’re also actively expanding what Manta can do. Plasmid prep, cfDNA extraction, and other nucleic acid workflows are currently in development, driven by the same focus on performance and ease of use. But while these are underway, we don’t want to hold back labs that are ready to automate now. All of this ties back to our original goal: to enable precision molecular workflows to labs working on the frontlines of diagnostics, discovery, or disease prevention. 

If you’d like to explore how Manta could support your workflow, we’d be happy to connect and learn more about your needs. Let's talk.