P Arakelian
Papers
1
Total Citations
38
H-Index
1
About
Dr. P. Arakelian is a pioneer in the automation of molecular biology, whose work fundamentally streamlined the labor-intensive process of DNA sequencing. Their key research area lies at the intersection of robotics and biochemistry, specifically in developing automated systems for the Sanger dideoxynucleotide method. Arakelian’s major contribution, detailed in their highly influential 1988 paper, was the modification of a Beckman Biomek 1000 robotic workstation by integrating a custom thin heater/cooler block directly onto the instrument table. This innovation allowed for precise thermal control, enabling the robot to perform the sequential steps of DNA sequencing reactions—including denaturation, annealing, and extension—without human intervention. This work, which has garnered 38 citations, is notable for being one of the earliest demonstrations of a fully automated sequencing pipeline, significantly increasing throughput and reproducibility at a time when sequencing was predominantly manual. By reducing error and hands-on time, Arakelian’s system laid critical groundwork for the high-throughput sequencing technologies that later powered the Human Genome Project, marking a foundational achievement in the automation of genomic research.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1