In the high-stakes world of clinical diagnostics, DNA and RNA extraction is a critical first step, the foundation on which downstream analyses like PCR, NGS, and sequencing rest. But as testing volumes rise and sample complexity increases, traditional manual methods are no longer scalable or consistent enough.
That’s where automated methods step in. And Manta, Cambrian’s compact extraction system, is built around that very principle, making high-quality DNA and RNA extraction effortless, reproducible, and lab-ready.
In this blog post, we break down the principles on how Manta works and how it can help your lab.
What is Manta?
Manta is an automated extraction device designed to purify DNA and RNA numerous clinical diagnostic samples including blood, plasma, swabs, tissue, and even FFPE blocks. It supports both high-throughput workflows (up to 32 samples) and single-sample runs, offering flexibility for labs of different sizes.
The system outputs high-quality nucleic acid ready for downstream applications like RT-PCR and qPCR, NGS, sanger sequencing, genotyping and other molecular assays.
How does Manta work?
Manta works on the principle of paramagnetic bead-based nucleic acid purification, which follows four core steps:
Lysis: Cell membranes are broken down, releasing DNA and RNA. For some sample types, this step is performed off-deck using Cambrian’s lysis buffers. The lysate is then loaded into the Manta cartridge.
Binding: The magnetic beads are then introduced. In the presence of specific binding buffers, nucleic acids bind selectively to the beads.
Washing: The beads (with bound nucleic acids) are moved through a series of wash buffers that remove proteins, salts, and other contaminants.
Elution: Clean nucleic acids are released from the beads into an elution buffer, ready for analysis.
Manta automates these steps through magnetic rods and disposable combs that move beads between wells inside a pre-filled, single-use cartridge.
What makes Manta’s workflow unique?
1. Cartridge-based simplicity
Each cartridge is pre-filled with carefully calibrated buffers and reagents, minimizing hands-on steps. The structured layout includes separate wells for reagents, magnetic beads, lysate input, and elution making the process clean, repeatable, and low-risk for cross-contamination.
Using cartridges also introduces a crucial feature for modern molecular labs: the ability to automate regardless of the sample load.
Each cartridge is built for a single sample, so labs don’t have to wait for a large batch to start extractions. Manta processes anywhere from 1 to up to 32 samples at a time.
2. Intelligent Automation
Magnetic bead transfer is precisely controlled via magnetic rods. This movement is horizontal between wells of a particular cartridge, so there is no risk for cross-contamination.
Built-in agitation ensures uniform bead mixing and binding.
The touchscreen interface offers protocol selection and real-time run control.
Barcoded tube elution simplifies sample tracking and downstream workflow integration.
Manta can run extractions with different samples simultaneously. Save time by pooling all major sample types like blood, tissue, and FFPE in the same protocol. This adaptability makes it suitable for both routine diagnostics and advanced research applications.
Manta is ingeniously compact, measuring half the size of other typical extraction systems. It weighs just 18 kgs. Manta is designed to leave a small footprint on a crowded workbench.
Manta enables flexibility in workflows. It accommodates starting sample volumes from 100μL to up to 4mL (based on the sample type).
Why Magnetic Beads Work Well for Clinical Samples
Magnetic bead-based extraction is especially valuable for complex and challenging sample types frequently seen in clinical labs:
Blood and plasma: With optimized buffer chemistry to handle inhibitors like hemoglobin.
Tissue, FFPE, and stool samples: Known for difficult lysis and extraction — Manta’s buffer systems are tuned to pull high-quality DNA even from archived or crosslinked samples.
Saliva, urine, and swabs: These lower-biomass sample types require gentle handling and sensitive capture methods that beads can offer.
This makes Manta a versatile platform ready for the real-world variability that clinical labs deal with every day.
See the data that’s driving the switch to Manta—real workflows, real results.
Designed for Precision and Reproducibility
One of the biggest risks in molecular diagnostics is sample-to-sample variability — often introduced during manual prep. Manta’s cartridge-based format helps reduce that risk:
Minimized cross-contamination: Single-use cartridges mean no re-use, no risk.
Standardized protocols: Every run follows pre-set protocols, ensuring consistent yields across operators.
No batching required: Process individual samples without waiting to fill a run, reducing reagent waste and speeding up turnaround times.
Whether you’re handling cancer samples, prenatal screening, infectious disease diagnostics, or large-scale cohort studies, Manta offers the consistency and flexibility modern molecular workflows demand.
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