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Tecan <> Labflows integration
Tecan <> Labflows integration

Scispot offers a convenient way to track your samples in Labflows, while using Tecan to create aliquots.

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Written by Satya Singh
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Scispot customers can use the Tecan liquid handler, Fluent®, to create aliquots of their samples, then track those aliquots and parent samples in Scispot's Labflows platform. The process is as simple as exporting your accessioned samples from Labflows, uploading that file to Fluent and creating aliquots, then exporting the results file from Tecan and importing it back to Labflows.

Storing accessioned samples in a freezer location (in Scispot)

To start, you will need to ensure that the locations of your lab samples are accurately tracked in the Scispot platform.

  1. Open the Samples tab of Labflows.

  2. Select the Accessioned view to see all of your accessioned samples.

  3. Ensure that your samples are ready to be aliquoted:

    1. Enter a value in the quantity column for each parent sample to be aliquoted.

    2. Add the external barcode (FluidX BC) into the external barcode column. Ensure that no duplicate barcodes are assigned to different samples.

  4. Select the samples that will be aliquoted using the checkboxes on the left side of each row, then click on the Location icon in the floating toolbar.

    1. If your desired location already exists:

      • Set Location Source as Existing Location.

      • Navigate to this location in the Select Location field.

      • Click Move Items.

    2. If you need to create a new location:

      • Choose Add New Location.

      • Add a location name and select a location type.

      • Navigate to a specific parent location (if needed) before clicking Move Items.

Exporting samples (creating a pick list) from Scispot

After your parent samples are prepared in Scispot, you can export the data so that it can be ingested by Fluent. To begin, make sure that you are still in the Accessioned view of the Samples tab in Labflows.

  1. Click the Export button at the top-right of the screen.

  2. Set the Export Type as Current View.

  3. Choose CSV format.

  4. Finally, click the Export button.

Importing the pick list into Tecan Liquid Handler (Fluent software)

Now that you have generated a CSV file (pick list) of parent samples from Scispot, you can import this data into Fluent and perform aliquoting using Tecan.

  1. Import the CSV file into Fluent as input.

  2. Check if any additional details are needed to match samples in the pick list with those in the plate/box.

  3. Use FluentControl to create aliquots.

  4. Export the result file with the required metadata in CSV format. This metadata includes:

    1. ParentTubeBarcode: Maps to the external barcode column of the parent samples in your Labflows Samples table

    2. WellIndex: Specifies each aliquot's well position in the plate

    3. DaughterTubeBarcode: This will map to the external barcode column of the new aliquot samples that will be created in your Labflows Samples table

    4. Volume: Indicates each aliquot's quantity; total child quantities should be equal to or greater than the parent's quantity

Tracking your Tecan aliquots in Scispot

With the CSV file exported by Fluent containing a list of aliquoted samples, you will need to prepare your Tecan Result Files Labsheet and trigger a script to process the file.

  1. Open your Tecan Result Files Labsheet in Scispot.

  2. Click + Add Entry to add a new row to the sheet.

  3. In the new row, upload your Fluent CSV file by clicking on the + (plus sign) icon in the Input File column.

  4. In the Status column, set the value to Ready for processing.

Following the above steps will trigger the processing script to create your aliquot samples in Scispot, matching the exact setup that was handled by Tecan/Fluent. You will get an email notification once the script has completed executing.

  1. After the script has completed, refresh your browser page with the Tecan Result Files Labsheet open.

  2. The Status column will be updated based on the processing outcome:

    1. Success: The script executed successfully, and your aliquoted samples will now be available in Scispot.

    2. Error: Something went wrong when processing your list of aliquots. Check the error message in the Output column for more details:

      1. Wrong file type: E.g., "Tecan_data.docs should be a CSV file"

      2. Insufficient quantity: E.g., "Failed creating children, the following parents have insufficient quantity: SID-2025-0343324"

Verify aliquots and manifest box creation in Scispot

Once you have uploaded your Tecan results file and the script has executed successfully, you should verify that the aliquots were created correctly and in the right locations.

  1. Open the Samples tab of Labflows.

  2. Newly-created aliquots will be labelled as "Aliquot" under the Sample Type column. You can switch to the Aliquoted view to see all of your aliquots.

  3. Each aliquot will have an external barcode ID, and the parent-child relationship (through Parent and Child columns) will be maintained for chain-of-custody tracking.

  4. Open Manifests by expanding the sidebar, expanding the Labsheets option menu, then clicking on Manifests

    1. A new sample box for the FluidX rack will have been created.

    2. Samples will be assigned to this box based on the Tecan results file.

Completion

This process ensures that all aliquots are correctly labelled, tracked, and assigned to the appropriate FluidX manifest box. If any issues arise, make sure to check Status and Output columns of the Tecan Result Files Labsheet for troubleshooting. If you still have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] and we will be happy to assist.

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