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Life at Volta: R&D Engineering
Carlos Ruiz-Vargas is an R&D Engineer, and Process Development Lead at Volta Labs. Realizing the potential of this technology, he joined the team in April of 2023. The team at Volta Labs moves quickly and collaboratively to meet milestones, giving them the opportunity to expand their individual areas of expertise. The team has a laser focus on the mission and potential real-world impact, finding joy in solving challenges together.
A holistic systems-level approach to problem solving strengthens engineering at Volta Labs
In creating Volta’s first sample prep instrument, Callisto, the team at Volta Labs faced a variety of challenges in both the engineering and biological constraints for the instrument.
“The product utilizes a wide variety of technologies including pipettors, thermal control, electrowetting, and many sensors” says Carlos. “Engineers who like to tinker around have a lot of range.”
Engineering work at Volta Labs involves multiple subsystems, providing ample opportunities for professional growth, increasing breadth and depth of skillsets. Hardware and software engineering work together in collaboration with Application Development colleagues to understand requirements and plan how all these subsystems interact.
Udayan Umapathi, founder and CEO, has shaped team culture to move beyond traditional disciplines which allows the team to work more fluidly. The team prides themselves on being anti-disciplinary, where their strength comes from a holistic systems-approach, as opposed to individual disciplines driving their work.
"We get to interact with experts in biology closely on a daily basis. Engineers and biologists are very involved in the full product development process and we have visibility into all areas of the business," said Carlos. “Transparency is one of our operating principles.”
Building an anti-disciplinary team has been a key differentiator for Volta Labs as a startup that has just entered the commercialization stage. United by a shared vision, building a team that’s hands-on and willing to see the forest through the trees has allowed the team to move at a very fast pace. Everyone owns their expertise, but understands the value of working together to keep the organization moving forward.
Anti-disciplinary, but not anti-sandwiches
As a result of the team’s anti-disciplinary, highly collaborative design, Volta’s Engineering team is tight knit. When the team isn’t working on solutions in the lab, they’re palling around in the kitchen or enjoying sandwiches from their favorite local sandwich shop, J.Pace & Sons (often followed by the eternal debate about the correct pronunciation of “Pace”). Carlos recently led a sake tasting for the team; other team members are well-known for their barista skills.
“We genuinely enjoy spending time together. This is noticeable during lunchtime, grabbing coffee and at happy-hours. Lunch is catered twice a week, but even on non-catered days, we’re usually eating together," said Carlos.
As is part of the classic startup experience, one of the highlights of being part of Volta Labs is the camaraderie, working together to solve hard challenges and build something meaningful.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but trusting the people that you work with makes it a lot easier.”
It’s clear that this approach has allowed Volta to stay agile and create a highly effective team environment. If you’re a driven engineer who’s eager to explore anti-disciplinary work, we’d love to connect with you. Check out our careers page to learn more about our team and our open positions!
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Introducing VoltaHyb:
Automating the Last Mile of Targeted Sequencing Workflows
The Volta Labs team is revolutionizing critical targeted sequencing workflows with the introduction of the VoltaHyb™ suite of Apps and kits for the Callisto™ Sample Prep System. Designed to enrich your targets with confidence every single time, the Callisto platform brings unmatched workflow simplicity to hybridization capture. With Callisto, users no longer need to rely on multiple lab instruments (heated blocks, magnetic racks, vortexers) or perform time-sensitive heated transfer steps - such complex steps are abstracted away from the end user. Furthermore, Callisto's unique architecture enables precise magnetic bead manipulation coupled with uninterrupted and uniform temperature control during the hybrid capture enabling consistent enrichment performance.
Callisto reduces sequencing redo rates to less than 3% while minimizing sample loss throughout the capture process. This breakthrough approach enables reliable targeted sequencing even for challenging applications where conventional tools struggle. These advantages extend across both long and short read-based hybrid capture workflows.
The scalable architecture of the Callisto system enables flexible throughput, with the capacity to process up to 96,000 exomes per year or 48,000 PacBio HiFi samples annually. Whether you're running a small research lab or a high-volume testing facility, Callisto adapts to your needs with flexible batch sizes and consistent performance.
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Key Benefits
of VoltaHyb for Hybridization Capture:
Reduced Sequencing Costs:
Lower sample preparation and sequencing costs by minimizing reruns (<3% redo rates).Fully Automated Workflow:
Enables complete walk-away automation for hybridization, capture, washes, and PCR setupBroad Panel Compatibility:
Works with panels of all sizes, from small targeted panels to comprehensive exomesSupport for Both Short and Long Read Applications:
Optimized protocols for both Illumina-style short-read sequencing and long-read technologies like PacBio and Oxford Nanopore
Consistent Results:
Dramatically reduced inter-operator variability and robust performance across repeated runsUniform Coverage:
Even coverage across challenging regions, including high-GC content areasMaximum Throughput: Process up to 480 exomes simultaneously with pooled libraries with flexible batching
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VoltaHyb’s Expanding App Menu
At Volta, we’re continually growing our support for hybrid capture workflows across both short- and long-read sequencing platforms.
On the short-read side, Callisto currently supports IDT xGEN v2 chemistry, as well as Twist’s standard v2 and Fast chemistries. For long-read applications, we support PacBio HiFi enrichment based on Twist’s standard v2 chemistry.
There are more Apps coming to the VoltaHyb menu, and we’re always listening to our users. If there’s a hybrid capture chemistry you’d like to see automated on Callisto, let us know—we’d love to hear from you.
for Twist, v2 standard
The revolution in genomic sample preparation is here. By bringing the push-button experience of a sequencer to targeted sequencing workflows, Volta Labs is transforming how laboratories approach hybridization capture. The choice is no longer between inconsistent manual methods and complex automation platforms that require dedicated engineering resources. With Callisto and VoltaHyb, you can achieve consistent, high-quality results without specialized training or extensive method development.
Ready to experience the difference? Contact our team today to learn how the VoltaHyb powered Hybridization Capture can enhance your targeted sequencing workflows and accelerate your discoveries.
Relevant product pages:
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VoltaPrep for Oxford Nanopore LSK114: Automation Without the Pain
The VoltaPrep for Oxford Nanopore LSK114 app delivers what laboratories have been seeking: comprehensive workflow automation that addresses the real-world requirements of applied genomics without the traditional implementation challenges.
True Walk-Away Operation
Load your samples, select the app, and walk away. The entire LSK114 protocol—from DNA end-repair through adapter ligation and cleanup—runs without manual intervention, freeing up valuable technician time for other critical projects.
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Preserved Sample Quality
Callisto's digital fluidics technology provides gentle handling specifically optimized for high molecular weight DNA, ensuring the integrity essential for nanopore applications.
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Consistent, Reliable Results
Eliminate the operator-to-operator variability that plagues manual protocols and the reliability issues common with traditional automation systems.
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Scalable Throughput
Process anywhere from 4 to 24 samples per run, with throughput that matches the capacity of Oxford Nanopore's PromethION 24 device—enabling seamless integration into existing workflows.
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Rapid Implementation
Complete library preparation in under 3 hours with minimal hands-on time, supporting the faster timelines required in applied settings without the months-long implementation typical of traditional automation.
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No Method Development Required
Unlike traditional automation approaches, there's no programming, optimization, or troubleshooting required. The application is pre-validated and ready to use the day your Callisto arrives.
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Cost-Effective Operation
Miniaturized reactions reduce reagent consumption while eliminating the need for expensive liquid handling infrastructure and dedicated automation engineers.
Real-World Impact for Applied Genomics
The combination of Callisto automation and Oxford Nanopore sequencing delivers what laboratories have been seeking: a way to scale advanced sequencing technologies without the traditional automation headaches. This is particularly valuable for service laboratories, clinical laboratories, and research institutions looking to incorporate nanopore sequencing into routine workflows.
"Nanopore sequencing represents a transformative approach to genomics, and we're committed to making these powerful technologies as accessible as possible," says Udayan Umapathi, founder and CEO of Volta Labs. "With our Oxford Nanopore LSK114 app, we're extending the same automation convenience that has transformed other sequencing workflows to nanopore technology. Labs can now leverage these capabilities with unprecedented ease and consistency."
Early Adoption Success
Early access partners have already begun to see significant improvements in both efficiency and library quality using the automated LSK114 workflow. The ability to consistently produce high-quality Oxford Nanopore libraries without traditional automation complexity is proving transformative for laboratories scaling their sequencing programs.
The improvements go beyond just efficiency—we're seeing substantial reductions in failed library preparations and improved consistency across different operators, critical factors for laboratories where reliability and reproducibility are paramount.
Ready to innovate with us?
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Scaling Oxford Nanopore Sequencing: VoltaPrep for LSK114 Brings Automation to Applied Genomics
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