2023 was an action-packed year for our team of scientists and builders here at Volta. From working to solve the sample prep bottleneck to expanding our team, filing patents, and making waves in the world of biology – join us on a journey through the growth and caffeinated dreams that fueled our groundbreaking year at Volta. Here's Volta’s Wrapped for 2023, and stay tuned for another exciting year of advancements in 2024!
- 10,000 samples processed on Volta’s instruments
- 6 product deployments
- 7 patents filed
- 24 new team members
- 5 abstracts accepted to the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) General Meeting 2024
- 5 guest lectures by Volta team members
- 5, 287 americanos and 1,340 espressos made
- 78 team lunches
🧪 We put in the work.
- Over 10,000 samples processed on Volta’s instruments
The Volta team is already notorious for our output, but we took it to the next level in 2023. At the cusp of solving the “sample prep bottleneck,” our team has put in work processing over 10,000 samples to get our life-changing technology closer to market. That’s a nice jump from 3,500 the year before!
🔬 We used our collective genius to deploy new instruments.
- 6 product deployments
We were able to deploy 6 new instruments for testing thanks to the collaborative and broad disciplinary nature of our team. Some of these deployments were local, and some took our team traveling across the country to hand-deliver the instrument. Volta is an ecosystem of employees who refuse to work in silo’d labs - we’d rather be side-by-side with our colleagues and customers to get sh*t done and change the world of genomics.
💡 Innovation’s in our DNA, but the proof is in the patents.
- 7 patents filed
Volta team members are innovators first and foremost. We filed 7 patents in 2023 thanks to our team’s ability to think creatively and push boundaries. We emphasize impact at every level and encourage team members to always be on the lookout for opportunities to improve and win - who knows where our next big idea will come from?!
🚀 We hired some incredible talent!
- 24 new team members
As we accelerated toward commercialization, we needed some new talent to help us push the boundaries of biology. So, we added 24 curious, ambitious, and growth-minded humans to our Applications Development, Engineering, Commercial, and Operations teams. Not only that, we added to our leadership team and stayed true to our value that good ideas come from anywhere, with 75% of leaders hailing from underrepresented backgrounds. This is still just the beginning of our startup journey, and we’re already looking ahead to our growth plans and open positions for the next year.
🧬 Some would say we’re on the cutting-edge of genomics.
- 5 abstracts accepted to the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) General Meeting 2024
AGBT is the premier conference for genomics technology, and Volta will be making a big splash in February 2024 with a remarkably high number of accepted abstracts. We can’t wait to share more about our platform and the future of genomics at the conference – come say hello if you’re planning to attend AGBT, and watch this space for more 2024 conferences we’ll be attending.
📣 We even had the chance to share our expertise.
- 5 guest lectures by our team
Our team members guest spoke for renowned institutions like MIT & Princeton - just to name a few. Despite being an early stage startup, we have a commitment to the broader STEM community. Volta empowers our team to learn out loud, share our story, and most importantly our findings, with other industry leaders and future biologists.
☕ We fueled our coffee culture.
- 5,287 americanos and 1,340 espressos made
America may run on a certain Massachusetts-based coffee & donut brand, but Volta runs on our in-house team of amateur baristas. James from Software Development is known for roasting his own coffee beans and sharing them with the office, and you’ll regularly find us gathered around the Terra Kaffe machine chatting about the latest instrument run results while we wait. We love these opportunities to connect with coworkers, and enjoy a little java courtesy of the company.
🥡 We stayed hungry.
- 78 team lunches
No one can change the world on an empty stomach, and luckily for us, sharing food is an integral part of Volta culture. We have lunch catered 2x per week and always make sure our team has dinner if they’re working late. The #lunchandtreats Slack channel is constantly popping with announcements of cookies in the kitchen and order links to group meals, which always leads to illuminating conversations and team building that fuels our work.
🎁 That’s a wrap!
Seeing these stats, you may think that’s everything we have to share from 2023 – quantitatively, collecting these data points was easy.
It’s much harder to capture the qualitative magic of the startup journey – from the satisfaction of a really productive whiteboarding session, to the sense of camaraderie around the lunch table, and the fulfillment from our personal and collective growth – that can’t be captured in words, much less in concrete numbers.
We know the feeling of pride for our people and what we’ve built together. We have so much to look forward to in 2024, and can’t wait to show the world our revolutionary technology and how it will unlock the utility of genomics for the world. You can follow us on our journey on X, LinkedIn, or even better, join in.
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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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