The cobas 6800 and cobas 8800 Systems : A New Era of Automation in Molecular Diagnostics
8th Dec 2025
The cobas 6800 and cobas 8800 Systems : A New Era of Automation in Molecular Diagnostics
(Scientific blog inspired by Cobb et al., 2017 )
this blog is intended for educational and scientific purposes only. All trademarks and product names mentioned, are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for descriptive purposes.
Molecular diagnostics has become the beating heart of modern laboratory medicine. From infectious disease detection to blood safety and personalized medicine, PCR-based testing now influences 70–80% of all clinical decisions. Yet for decades, molecular labs were slowed by manual workflows, complex protocols, and limited scalability.
The arrival of the cobas® 6800 and cobas® 8800 Systems marks a turning point a true shift toward total laboratory automation (TLA). These systems integrate sample preparation, PCR amplification, detection, quality control, and data reporting into a fully automated workflow, dramatically reducing hands-on time while maximizing throughput and reliability.
Below, we explore how these systems work, why they matter, and how they redefine diagnostic efficiency.
1. From Manual PCR to High-Throughput Automation
PCR revolutionized diagnostics after its discovery in 1983, but early workflows still depended on manual pipetting, multiple rooms, and hours of technician involvement. Problems like contamination, inconsistent amplification, and slow turnaround were common.
Over time, innovations such as:
✔ thermostable polymerases
✔ hot-start PCR
✔ uracil-N-glycosylase contamination control
✔ real-time fluorescence detection
…allowed PCR to become faster and more accurate but not fully automated.
The cobas® 6800/8800 Systems represent the culmination of these innovations, delivering a platform where sample in → result out happens with minimal human intervention.
2. What Makes the cobas® 6800/8800 Systems Different?
Universal sample preparation & reagents
Both systems use a single standardized nucleic acid extraction method, capable of isolating both DNA and RNA from diverse sample types.
This “universal” approach means:
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same reagents for most assays
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same thermocycling profile
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only primers/probes change from test to test
This drastically accelerates assay development, especially for emerging pathogens.
High Throughput, Low Hands-On Time
According to the technical data:
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cobas® 6800: up to 384 samples / 8 hours
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cobas® 8800: up to 960 samples / 8 hours
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Hands-on time: 30–60 minutes per shift
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First results in under 3.5 hours
The system automatically manages batching, sample loading, reagent usage, and control verification.
True Mix-Batching
The platform can run up to 3 different assays simultaneously in one batch of 96 samples something that older systems struggled to manage due to different thermocycling conditions.
This helps labs:
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avoid sample pre-sorting
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run urgent tests immediately
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increase productivity without adding staff
Strong Quality & Traceability Controls
Built-in features include:
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RFID-tracked reagent kits
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full sample traceability
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automatic contamination control (UNG step)
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internal control (IC/QS) for every sample
This reduces errors and meets regulatory requirements more easily.
3. Pre-Analytical & Post-Analytical Integration
Automation doesn’t stop at PCR.
The platform integrates with cobas® pre-analytics modules:
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cobas p 312 (sorting + decapping)
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cobas p 512 / p 612 (sorting, decapping, aliquoting, centrifugation)
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Sample Source Module for conveyor-based lab automation
This allows molecular diagnostics to be physically connected to clinical chemistry, hematology, and serology workflows a big step toward hospital-level TLA.
4. The Utility Channel: A Game Changer for LDT Development
One of the most innovative features is the Utility Channel (UC).
It allows labs to develop and validate Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) using the same:
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universal reagents
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plates
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pipette tips
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processing workflow
Labs simply add custom primers/probes.
This hybrid model offers:
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higher quality reagents
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simpler validations
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faster development cycles
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reduced manual steps
Ideal for emerging disease detection (Ebola, Zika, H5N1, etc.).
5. Applications: From Infectious Diseases to Blood Safety
Approved assays (depending on region) include:
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HIV-1, HBV, HCV viral load
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multiplex donor screening (MPX: HIV, HBV, HCV)
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CMV monitoring
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HEV, WNV donor screening
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Zika virus screening (IND approval in the U.S.)
Performance data from the PDF shows:
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HIV-1 LOD ~13 cp/mL
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HBV LOD ~6.6 IU/mL
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HCV LOD ~12 IU/mL
This level of sensitivity is essential for detecting low viral loads in both diagnostic and screening settings.
6. Why This Technology Matters
For clinicians
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faster test results
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greater diagnostic confidence
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improved ability to monitor treatment response
For patients
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earlier diagnosis
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more precise treatment
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reduced waiting times
For laboratories
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minimal hands-on work
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expanded testing capacity
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fewer errors & contamination events
For public health
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rapid response to emerging pathogens
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safer blood supplies
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scalable testing during outbreaks
The system proved its value during Zika and would play a critical role in any future epidemic.
7. Future Outlook
The authors predict (correctly) that the next five years would bring:
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deeper integration with hospital IT
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consolidation of lab workspaces
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automated pre-analytics + molecular testing pipelines
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faster development of assays for emerging diseases
Conclusion
The cobas® 6800/8800 Systems represent a major leap forward in molecular diagnostics.
By combining universal reagents, standardized thermocycling, high throughput, and automation from sample to result, they allow labs to deliver faster, more reliable, and more scalable PCR testing than ever before.
For any facility looking to modernize its diagnostic capabilities, especially in infectious diseases and donor screening, these systems mark the beginning of a new era one where automation, precision, and speed define the future of molecular testing.