NexusXp: An Introduction to the DMTA Cycle in Drug Discovery

To keep pace with modern drug discovery, labs need to be faster, generate better data and operate at a larger scale. The Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) cycle, driven by smart automation, is the key to meeting these demands. This course is built for scientists, engineers and managers who are new to laboratory automation and want a clear, practical introduction to the field. We'll cut through the jargon and give you a straightforward roadmap for how modern automated systems are designed and run.

We'll cover the essential hardware and software that make up an automated lab. You'll get a step-by-step guide on how to think strategically about moving a manual process from the benchtop to a reliable, automated workflow. We'll wrap up by walking through a real-world case study, showing how an integrated DMTA strategy works in practice. You'll leave with a solid framework for planning and implementing automation in your own lab.

Who Should Attend?

This course is for you if you are:

• A scientist, engineer or manager just getting started with lab automation.
• A lab professional who wants a solid grasp of the DMTA cycle.
• A junior scientist or engineer joining a multidisciplinary automation team.
• An experienced professional who needs a structured way to mentor junior colleagues in automation.

Course Benefits

After this course, you'll be able to:

• Explain the four stages of the DMTA cycle and how they work together to speed up drug discovery.
• Pinpoint the roles of core automation hardware (liquid handlers, robots, plate readers) and software (LIMS) in a workflow.
• Outline the key steps for converting a manual benchtop assay into a robust automated process.
• Analyze a real-world case study to see how the DMTA cycle is used to solve a biological problem, from start to finish.
• Understand why the human element—"peopleware"—is so critical for the success of any automation project.

Course Topics

• The Fundamentals of Laboratory Automation
• A Detailed Breakdown of the DMTA Cycle (Design, Make, Test, Analyze)
• Key Hardware and Software Technologies
• Designing and Implementing Your First Automated Workflow
• The Importance of "Peopleware" in Automation Projects
• A Real-World DMTA Case Study

Instructors

Instructor info will be added soon.