Tips for Successful Method Automation

Work vertically not horizontally.

When the multi-channel pipette is used it will aspirate/dispense one column at a time. Layout the source plate so that the samples are in columns.

Where possible try to avoid moving tips across plates to reduce the risk of potential ‘drips’ contaminating plates.

If the destination well contains the sample avoid cross contamination by dispensing at height.

Flow Rate – Speed can be amended to reflect the liquid e.g. slow the speed for viscous liquids.
Well Order – Amends the pipetting pattern, can be useful when using the single channel pipettes.
Tip Position – Set the optimal position for aspirate dispense.
Pre-Wet – Aspirates and dispenses a small volume prior to aspirating the desired volumes.
Mix – Ensure liquid is homogenous prior to aspirate/post dispense.
Delay – Pauses above source well e.g. to allow liquid residue on outside of tip to ‘drip off’.
Touch Tip – Touches all 4 side of the well to remove residue from tip.
Air Gap – Adds air into tip after aspirate; useful for volatile liquids that tend to drip e.g. ethanol.
Blowout – Additional air ‘blown’ through the tip to remove all residue.

Include ‘Off deck’ options – e.g. heated incubations or centrifugation steps
‘On deck’ timed incubations – Allows specific timings to be included e.g. 2 minute lysis step

Naming the steps makes it easier to amend the protocol later.

‘Dry’ - Position the relevant ‘empty’ labware on the deck and run the protocol.
This will test the movement of the pipettors around the deck.
‘Wet’ – Position the relevant labware on the deck, use water instead of sample/reagents.
This will test the aspiration and dispense heights and the physical liquid transfer.

Create a simple liquid transfer protocol to test the aspiration and dispense parameters of liquids that are particularly viscous or volatile.