Running the protocol

Before you start

Ensure that you:

•	Prepare the serial dilution setup method. See Setting up a Serial Dilution method.

•	Prepare the diluent reservoir and serial dilution plates. See Preparing the diluent and samples.

•	If necessary, run the Startup protocol to initialize the AssayMAP Bravo Platform and prime the wash lines. See the System Startup/Shutdown v2.2.

About performing a mock run (optional)

If you are unfamiliar with the protocol and would like to see how it operates before running it with valuable samples and reagents, you can perform a mock run. A mock run uses empty or water-filled labware and source bottles.

You prepare for a mock run the same way you would prepare for a real protocol run, except that you use empty labware for a totally dry run or labware containing water for a wet run. You must use pipette tips for the mock run.

 

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Running the protocol

To run the protocol:

1	Locate the Serial Dilution banner in the Utility Library, and then click Utility.

 

The Serial Dilution utility opens.

 

2	Under Select and Load a Serial Dilution Method, click to select the method that you created in Setting up a Serial Dilution method.

The default method storage location is C:/VWorks Workspace/Methods/AM Serial Dilution Utility v2.0.

3	Click Display Bravo Layout to display the Method Loaded and the Deck Layout information.

 

The probes of the Bravo 96AM Head are sharp and can scratch you if they brush across your hand. A probe scratch can expose you to any contaminants remaining on the probes. Be careful to avoid touching the probes.

 

4	Ensure that the Bravo Plate Risers are securely in place at AssayMAP Bravo deck locations 2 and 6, and that the empty 96AM Cartridge & Tip Seating Station is at deck location 5.

 

 

To prevent a potential collision, ensure that no thermal plate insert is on the Peltier Thermal Station installed at deck location 4.

 

5	Place the labware at the assigned deck locations, as shown in the Deck Layout of the interface:

•	Place a tip box full of fresh pipette tips at deck location 3.

Note: A full tip box is required for each run even if the run uses less than 96 pipette tips.

•	Place the diluent reservoir plate on the Bravo Plate Riser at deck location 2.

•	Place the serial dilution plate on the Bravo Plate Riser at deck location 6.

 

Use only the labware specified, and place them at the Bravo deck locations specified in the instructions. Using different labware or placing labware at unapproved deck locations can cause a collision resulting in equipment damage.

 

 

Improperly seated labware can cause a hardware collision, resulting in equipment damage. Ensure that all labware are properly seated within the alignment features of their respective platepads.

 

6	Click Run Protocol to start the run.The protocol run starts.

To monitor the progress of the run, check the Status box in the upper right corner of the form.

 

Note: The run time varies depending on the method. The software updates the run time throughout the course of the run, and the completion time estimate becomes more and more accurate as the run progresses.

After the Serial Dilution run. You can run the Reformatting utility to add the Optional volume to be added to the serial dilution plate, if specified in your method.

 

To stop a run in an emergency, use the hardware Emergency Stop button.

 

To stop or pause the run, see Emergency stops and pauses.

 

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Cleaning up

To clean up after the run:

1	Remove used labware from the deck.

2	Discard the used pipette tips from the tip box at deck location 3.

3	Transfer the unused pipette tips from the 96AM Cartridge & Tip Seating Station at deck location 5 to unused locations in the tip box.

4	Remove the Bravo Plate Risers from deck locations 2 and 6.

5	Discard any leftover solutions appropriately.

 

Make sure you discard the chemical waste and used labware according to your lab’s waste disposal procedures and in compliance with all local, state, and federal safety regulations.

 

To shut down at the end of the day:

1	Open the System Startup/Shutdown utility. See System Startup/Shutdown v2.2.

2	Remove everything from the deck except the wash station (deck location 1).

3	Place the 96AM Cartridge & Tip Seating Station at deck location 2, and then click Run Shutdown.

4	After the Shutdown protocol has completed, turn off the power at the AssayMAP Bravo Platform and the accessories.

5	Close the Protein Sample Prep Workbench software.

 

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