Running the protocol
The Fractionation protocol does the following:
• Washes the syringes.
• Primes and equilibrates the cartridges to prepare for sample loading.
• Loads the samples onto the cartridges.
• Removes non-specific binding molecules from the cartridges.
• Elutes the peptides from the cartridges.
For some of these operations the cartridges are mounted on the syringe probes, while for other operations the cartridges are parked in the 96AM Cartridge & Tip Seating Station.
Experiment ID and method requirements
Each workbench application and utility has an Experiment Settings section that allows you to select an experiment ID and a method.
• An experiment ID is a database record that captures the steps executed and the settings used during each run of an application or utility. Any errors that may have occurred during a run are also recorded.
To create an experiment ID, you open the Experiments Editor by clicking 
in any Workbench app or utility. For details, go to the Literature Library and open Using the Protein Sample Prep Workbench. In the browser that opens, click Using Experiment IDs.
in any Workbench app or utility. For details, go to the Literature Library and open Using the Protein Sample Prep Workbench. In the browser that opens, click Using Experiment IDs.• A method is a comprehensive collection of saved settings for an application or utility, which you can use to run the application or utility.
Experiment IDs and methods are required for compliance-enabled VWorks editions and optional for noncompliance-enabled VWorks editions.
VWorks edition | Experiment ID and method selection |
|---|---|
VWorks Plus | Required |
VWorks Standard | Optional |
Before you start
Ensure that you:
• Prepare the reagents. See Preparing the solutions.
• Prepare the samples. See Preparing the samples.
• If applicable, make sure that you know which experiment ID to use to record the steps executed during the utility and app runs.
• Run the Startup utility to prepare the AssayMAP Bravo Platform for the run. See System Startup/Shutdown v3.0 User Guide.
• Transfer the cartridges to the Cartridge & Tip Seating Station. See Cartridge Transfer v2.0 User Guide.
Cartridges ship dry and therefore contain air entrained in the resin bed. Failure to prime the cartridges can prevent the sample and buffers from accessing parts of the bed, resulting in reduced capacity and poor reproducibility.Do not allow wetted cartridges to dry out. Agilent does not guarantee performance of stored cartridges following equilibration. See Cartridge use and storage guidelines.About stacking Fraction Collection plates and Elution Buffer plates
You must prepare stacks of pre-filled Elution Buffer plates and empty Fraction Collection plates on the Bravo deck before running the Fractionation protocol. You will use the Plate Stacking protocol in this app to stack the plates.
You should always use the Plate Stacking protocol to stack the plates. Stacking the labware manually can produce misaligned stacks, resulting in crashes during the protocol run.Do not use labware that have been repeatedly heat sealed or subjected to extreme heat or cold. Warped labware can cause imprecise stacking, potentially causing head crashes during the protocol run. Setting up the protocol
Before starting the protocol, make sure the appropriate selections and values are specified in the Fractionation application.
To set up the Plate Stacking and Fractionation protocols:
1 Open the App Library.
2 Locate Fractionation, and then click App.
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The Fractionation application opens.
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3 If applicable, click Select Experiment ID.
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The Experiments Editor opens.
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4 Select the Experiment ID that you want to use to record the steps performed during this application run, and then click Use Selected.
The Experiments Editor closes.
5 In the form, click Select Method to locate and select a method.
In the Open File dialog box, select the method, and click Open.
• To run the selected method, go to Starting the protocol run.
• To modify the method, proceed to step 6.
VWorks Plus. Administrator or technician privileges are required to create or modify methods.
6 In the Application Settings area, specify the following to create or modify a method:
a Select the labware you are using from the Labware (Locations 4 - 9) list.
b In the Number of Fractions box, type a value from 0 to 6 for the fractions that will be collected during the Fractionation protocol run. The value you specify must match the number Elution Buffer and collection plates you are using.
c Specify the cartridge settings:
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• Select the cartridge size from the list:
5 µL Cartridges or 25 µL Cartridges
5 µL Cartridges or 25 µL Cartridges
• In the box, type the number of full columns of cartridges to be used.
The position of the columns of cartridges in the tip seating station must match the positions of the samples and solutions in the plates on the deck.
Range: 1–12
Default: 1
If the column selection is greater than the actual number of columns used, the Bravo Platform will apply too much force when mounting the cartridges, which can cause damage to both the cartridges and the AssayMAP syringes in the head. For example, if the software specifies 12 columns, but only 1 column of cartridges are in the seating station, the head will apply 12 times more force than what is required. To prevent potential equipment damage, ensure that the column selection is correct.If the column selection in the software is less than the actual number of cartridges used, the Bravo Platform will not apply enough force to seat the cartridges properly. For example, if the software specifies 1 column, but 12 columns of cartridges are in the seating station, the head will apply 1/12th the force required to seat the cartridges properly. In this case, cartridges may fall off during the run or the volume of liquid that moves across the cartridge bed may be variable. To obtain expected instrument performance, ensure that the column selection is correct.Each full column must contain eight cartridges. If a column contains fewer than eight packed cartridges, use the AssayMAP Resin-Free cartridges to fill the empty column positions.7 Under Application Settings, select the check boxes of the steps that you want to perform and enter the values for the selected steps.
Note: For any unselected steps, ensure that the volume, flow rate, and wash cycles boxes are blank to avoid potential confusion when a experimental report is generated.
8 To save the method:
a Click 
.
.b In the Save File As dialog box, type the file name and click Save.
Note: Agilent recommends that you use the cartridge size (5 µL or 25 µL) as a prefix to the name.
VWorks Plus. You must save the method before you can run it.
Application Settings
The following table gives a brief description of each setting. For details, including the practical ranges of values for a given setting, see the Assay development guidelines and protocol notes.
Table Application Settings overview
Steps* | Description | Cartridge size | Volume (µL) | Flow Rate (µL/min) | Wash Cycles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Syringe Wash | Washes syringes at the wash station (deck location 1). | 5 µL: | – | – | 3 |
25 µL: | – | – | 3 | ||
Range: | – | – | 0–10 | ||
Prime | Aspirates Priming Buffer (deck location 6) into the syringes, and then dispenses it through the cartridges into the Organic Waste plate (deck location 3). | 5 µL: | 100 | 300 | 1 |
25 µL: | 250 | 300 | 1 | ||
Range: | 0–250 | 0.5–500 | 0–10 | ||
Equilibrate | Aspirates Equilibration Buffer (deck location 9) into the syringes, and then dispenses it through the cartridges into the Organic Waste plate (deck location 3). | 5 µL: | 50 | 10 | 1 |
25 µL: | 250 | 10 | 1 | ||
Range: | 0–250 | 0.5–500 | 0–10 | ||
Load Samples | Aspirates samples (deck location 5) into the syringes, and then dispenses them through the cartridges into the Organic Waste plate (deck location 3) or into the Flow Through Collection plate (deck location 8). | 5 µL: | 100 | 5 | 3 |
25 µL: | 100 | 5 | 3 | ||
Range: | 0–250 | 0.1–500 | 0–10 | ||
Collect Flow Through | If selected, collects the sample flow-through in the Flow Through Collection plate (deck location 8). If not selected, discards the sample flow-through in the Organic Waste plate (deck location 3). | – | – | – | – |
Cup Wash | Rinses the cartridge cups with Equilibration Buffer (deck location 9), and then discards the liquid into the Organic Waste plate (deck location 3). | 5 µL: | 25 | – | 3 |
25 µL:** | – | – | – | ||
Range: | 0–100 | – | 0–10 | ||
Internal Cartridge Wash | Aspirates Equilibration Buffer (deck location 9) into the syringes, and then dispenses it through the cartridges into the Organic Waste plate (deck location 3) or into the Flow Through Collection plate (deck location 8). | 5 µL: | 50 | 10 | 3 |
25 µL:** | – | – | – | ||
Range: | 0–250 | 0.5–500 | 0–10 | ||
Collect Flow Through | Collects the Internal Cartridge Wash flow-through at Flow Through Collection (deck location 8). If not selected, discards the Internal Cartridge Wash flow-through to Organic Waste (deck location 3). | – | – | – | – |
Predispense Elution Buffer | Dispenses the specified volume of each Elution Buffer into its respective Fraction Collection plate before the start of each elution. | 5 µL: | 15 | – | – |
25 µL: | 15 | – | – | ||
Range: | 0–50 | – | – | ||
Elute Fraction 1 | Aspirates Elution Buffer 1 (deck location 5 following its movement from deck location 4) into the syringes, and then dispenses it through the cartridges into the Fraction Collection Plate 1 (deck location 8 following its movement from deck location 7). | 5 µL: | 25 | 5 | 1 |
25 µL: | 125 | 5 | 1 | ||
Range: | 0-250 | 0.1-500 | 0–10 | ||
Elute Fraction 2 | Aspirates Elution Buffer 2 (deck location 5 following its movement from deck location 4) into the syringes, and then dispenses it through the cartridges into the Fraction Collection Plate 2 (deck location 8 following its movement from deck location 7). | 5 µL: | 25 | 5 | 1 |
25 µL: | 125 | 5 | 1 | ||
Range: | 0-250 | 0.1-500 | 0–10 | ||
Elute Fraction 3 | Aspirates Elution Buffer 3 (deck location 5 following its movement from deck location 4) into the syringes, and then dispenses it through the cartridges into the Fraction Collection Plate 3 (deck location 8 following its movement from deck location 7). | 5 µL: | 25 | 5 | 1 |
25 µL: | 125 | 5 | 1 | ||
Range: | 0-250 | 0.1-500 | 0–10 | ||
Elute Fraction 4 | Aspirates Elution Buffer 4 (deck location 5 following its movement from deck location 4) into the syringes, and then dispenses it through the cartridges into the Fraction Collection Plate 4 (deck location 8 following its movement from deck location 7). | 5 µL: | 25 | 5 | 1 |
25 µL: | 125 | 5 | 1 | ||
Range: | 0-250 | 0.1-500 | 0–10 | ||
Elute Fraction 5 | Aspirates Elution Buffer 5 (deck location 5 following its movement from deck location 4) into the syringes, and then dispenses it through the cartridges into the Fraction Collection Plate 5 (deck location 8 following its movement from deck location 7). | 5 µL: | 25 | 5 | 1 |
25 µL: | 125 | 5 | 1 | ||
Range: | 0-250 | 0.1-500 | 0–10 | ||
Elute Fraction 6 | Aspirates Elution Buffer 6 (deck location 4) into the syringes, and then dispenses it through the cartridges into the Fraction Collection Plate 6 (deck location 7). | 5 µL: | 25 | 5 | 1 |
25 µL: | 125 | 5 | 1 | ||
Range: | 0-250 | 0.1-500 | 0–10 | ||
Final Syringe Wash | Washes the syringes at the wash station (deck location 1). | 5 µL: | – | – | 3 |
25 µL: | – | – | 3 | ||
Range: | – | – | 0–10 | ||
*For practical value ranges for the steps listed in this table and factors to consider when changing the default values, see Protocol stepwise guidelines. For a complete list of the robotic movements executed during a run, see Automation movements during the protocol. **The Cup Wash and Internal Cartridge Wash steps are not an option for the 25 µL cartridges because of the volume limit of the wells in the labware at deck location 9. Instead, a cartridge wash should be done in place of one of the elution steps for the 25 µL cartridges. | |||||
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. To decrease the run time, you can increase the flow rates to 500 µL/min, change the wash cycles to 1, and decrease the volumes. Use the AssayMAP Resin-Free cartridges instead of packed cartridges for mock runs.
The protocol will display an error message if cartridges are missing.Starting the protocol run
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.To start the Plate Stacking protocol:
1 Click 
. The Plate Stacking protocol starts.
. The Plate Stacking protocol starts.2 Follow the on-screen instructions to place the Elution Buffer plates at their specified locations. The protocol stacks the Elution Buffer plates at deck location 4.
3 Follow the on-screen instructions to place the Fraction Collection plates at their specified locations. The protocol stacks the Fraction Collection plates at deck location 7.
To start the Fractionation protocol run:
1 Ensure that the accessories, filled reagent plates, and collection plates are at the assigned deck locations, as shown in the Deck Layout image of the form.
Make sure the labware are properly seated on the Bravo deck.
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Incorrect labware selections and improperly seated labware can cause hardware collisions, resulting in equipment damage. Ensure that the selections in the Labware Table exactly match the physical labware present on the Bravo deck. Also ensure that all labware are properly seated within the alignment features of their respective platepads.2 Click 
to start the run.
to start the run.To monitor the progress of the run, check the Status box.
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After the protocol run starts, you can walk away from the AssayMAP Bravo Platform for the duration of the protocol. The default protocol with 100-µL samples and 5-µL/min flow rate should take approximately 55 minutes to complete.
To stop a run in an emergency, use the hardware Emergency Stop button. To pause the run, click Pause. The task currently in progress finishes before the protocol pauses. The Scheduler Paused dialog box opens. For details, see Emergency stops and pauses.
To troubleshoot errors, see the Error Recovery Guide and the Bravo Platform User Guide in the Literature Library page of the Protein Sample Prep Workbench.
Adding an experiment ID note after the run
After the protocol run ends or during a pause, you can add a note to the experiment ID. For example, a note can describe any observations during the run or any offline steps that are being executed. The notes that you add will appear in any reports generated for the experiment ID.
To add a note to an open experiment ID:
1 While the experiment ID is still selected in the Experiment Settings area, click 
. The Add Note dialog box opens.
. The Add Note dialog box opens. |
2 In the Note area, type the note, and then click OK.
For detailed instructions on working with Experiment IDs, see Using Experiment IDs.
Cleaning up
To clean up after a run:
1 Remove used labware from the deck.
2 Discard leftover reagents appropriately.
3 Optional. Conduct stringent washing of the syringes:
a Open the Syringe Wash utility 
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.b If applicable, click Select Experiment ID to open the Experiments Editor.
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c In the Experiments Editor, select the Experiment ID that you want to use to capture the steps performed during this utility run, and then click Use Selected.
d Click Select Method to select and load the method for this utility.
e Confirm that the labware and accessories on the AssayMAP Bravo deck match the display in the Deck Layout area of the form.
f Click to start the run.
to start the run.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:
Run the System Shutdown utility. See System Startup/Shutdown v3.0 User Guide.