LNP Screening Array vs. TAMARA

By Joshua Gomes

TAMARA formulates LNPs sequentially on a dedicated pressure-driven benchtop system, with operator handling and cleaning between formulations. The LNP Screening Array runs directly on a liquid handler, generating 100+ formulations per hour while automating input delivery, parallel formulation, and sample collection across the screen.

LNP Screening Array vs TAMARA

TAMARA and the LNP Screening Array both use microfluidic mixing for LNP formulation, but they are designed around different screening workflows.

TAMARA processes one formulation at a time on a dedicated controller and synthesis system. Each run requires the operator to load formulation inputs, prepare the chip and collection hardware, recover the sample, and complete the required cleaning workflow before the next formulation.

The LNP Screening Array moves formulation onto the liquid handler. Eight micromixers sit in each SLAS-format array, while the liquid handler delivers inputs, generates multiple formulations, collects samples, and can continue directly into downstream liquid handling steps.

Comparison	LNP Screening Array	TAMARA
Platform	Runs on a liquid handler	Dedicated benchtop formulation system
Flow source	Liquid handler	Separate filtered gas supply at 8-10 bar inlet pressure
Screening model	Multiple formulations generated in parallel	Formulations run sequentially
Formulation speed	100+ formulations per hour	15 formulations per hour
Mixer format	8 micromixers per array, with one fluidic path per formulation	Reusable microfluidic chip
Between formulations	No cleaning, blank run, or purge step required	Additional manual chip and reservoir cleaning protocol required between runs; blank-run and purge steps recommended for chip reuse
Operator handling	Inputs dispensed and samples collected by the liquid handler	Inputs manually pipetted, formulation hardware prepared, and collection vial handled by the operator
Downstream handling	Samples remain accessible on deck for additional post-processing steps	Samples manually collected from the dedicated formulation system by the operator

Screen more formulations per hour

TAMARA's individual formulation run takes minutes, and every screening condition remains a separate run. As the screen grows, the operator repeats the sample-loading, formulation setup, collection, and between-run workflow for every condition.

The LNP Screening Array distributes those conditions across eight independent micromixers per array. Additional arrays can be incorporated across available deck positions, allowing the liquid handler method to move through the screen without restarting the formulation workflow for every sample.

As the screen expands	LNP Screening Array	TAMARA
Formulation paths	Up to 8	1
8 formulation conditions	1 array	8 sequential formulation cycles
24 formulation conditions	3 arrays	24 sequential formulation cycles
How capacity expands	Add arrays across available deck positions	Add sequential formulation runs

Reduce hands-on work across the screen

TAMARA automates pressure-driven microfluidic mixing, but it requires the operator to prepare and reset the system around every formulation. Each run starts with pipetting formulation inputs into the reservoirs, seating a new gasket and the chip, closing the synthesis module, and installing the collection vial, which the operator recovers after the run.

With the LNP Screening Array, those recurring formulation tasks become part of the automated liquid handler method: reagents are dispensed into the array, each formulation collects in its own output reservoir, and the automated workflow can continue directly into transfer, dilution, plate preparation, or other downstream handling.

Screening task	LNP Screening Array	TAMARA
Deliver formulation inputs	Automated from source labware	Manually pipetted into reservoirs by the operator
Prepare formulation hardware	Array loaded as deck labware at setup	Reservoir, gasket, and chip prepared in the synthesis module
Set up sample collection	Integrated output reservoirs	Collection tube installed by operator
Recover formulated sample	Accessible directly to liquid handler	Collection tube retrieved by operator
Continue into downstream handling	Can continue within the same method	Sample transferred into the downstream workflow by hand

Move directly from one formulation to the next

TAMARA's published run time does not represent the entire interval between formulations. After a run is complete and the sample is collected, InsideTx instructs users to clean and flush the system before running the next batch.

Its standard cleaning workflow includes purging remaining liquid, loading cleaning solutions, and flushing the system. When a chip is reused, InsideTx also recommends a solvent/water blank run to verify flow and a thorough purge to ensure the chip is dry before the next formulation.

With the LNP Screening Array, each formulation uses its own micromixer and collects in its own output reservoir, so the automated liquid handler method moves from one formulation to the next with no cleaning, blank run, or chip setup in between.

Before the next formulation	LNP Screening Array	TAMARA
Purge residual formulation	Not needed	Required
Load cleaning solutions	Not needed	Required
Flush chip and reservoir	Not needed	Required
Verify chip before reuse	Not needed	Recommended
Dry fluidic path	Not needed	Recommended
Proceed to next formulation	Automated method continues	Begin next run after cleaning and preparation

Formulate without a dedicated pressure system

TAMARA requires dedicated Controller and Synthesis modules plus an external pressure source to drive formulation. Its current specifications call for dry gas at an ideal inlet pressure of 8-10 bar and at least 15 minutes of warm-up before experiments.

The LNP Screening Array runs on a liquid handler already used for automated sample preparation. Formulation occupies a standard SLAS deck position, with no separate pressure-driven formulation system or warm-up period before screening can begin.

System requirement	LNP Screening Array	TAMARA
Added formulation modules	Not needed	Controller + Synthesis modules
Formulation footprint	Standard SLAS deck position	Controller - 31 × 34 × 36 cm (5.05 kg) Synthesis - 23 × 26 × 23 cm (3.65 kg)
External pressure supply	Not needed	Dry, filtered gas; 8–10 bar recommended
Formulation system warm-up	Not needed	15 minutes recommended
Formulation control	Existing liquid handler method	Dedicated touchscreen controller

Evaluate the LNP Screening Array in your lab

Run your own formulations on the liquid handler already in your lab using your lipids, cargo, and screening criteria.

We provide the LNP Screening Arrays and a configured automation protocol for your liquid handler, and our applications team helps you run the first screen with you.

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