Get started
Read the introduction to this series of tutorials, then complete all of the previous tutorials in the series. For more information, click here.
Create a workflow in the builder. To learn how, click here.
Rename the workflow Core elements tutorial 6.3. To learn how, click here.
Select the device on which you want to run your workflow. To learn how, click here.
Select a default plate type. To learn how, click here.
Add different amounts of additives to each cell line based on their concentrations
In this example, we will take cultures already in a 24-well plate (6 different cell lines, four replicates of each), and add three additives to each one. Each additive is supplied at a given concentration, and we specify the final concentration, and the target volume.
Add two Define Liquids and Plates elements to the builder. In one, define your cell lines, and in the other, define the additives. Rename the instances Define Cell lines and Define additives, respectively. For more information on how to use the Define Liquids and Plates click here.
Now add a Mix Onto element to the builder. We want to add the additives onto the plate with the cell cultures, so connect the Liquids output of the Define Liquids and Plates element where the cell lines are defined to the Destination Liquids input of the Mix Onto element. n, connect the Liquids output of the Define Liquids and Plates element where the additives are defined to the Source Liquids input of the Mix Onto element.
Click on the Mix Onto element to open the element parameter editor. In this case, we want each cell line to receive one unique additive, so we specify the addition mode to Mix By Composition.
The new mixtures can inherit the names of the liquids already on the plates, in this case the cell lines, or you can specify a new name. In this case, we will not rename the mixtures so select the option Do not rename.
Now, we can define the desired composition of the final mixtures. Each additive can be specified with different concentration units, as long as these are compatible with the source units specified in the Define Liquids and Plates element.
Because additives will be added based on the desired final concentration, it might be required to top up with a diluent to reach the target volume. In this case, specify medium as the diluent to all cell lines.
Finally, specify a target volume for the mixtures.
We’ll use Volumes (high to low) for the Addition Mode, which means the additives and medium will be added from the largest volume to the smallest.
Note: If preferred, multi-mode may be used in conjunction with Liquid Selection.
Finally, set 4 replicates to add the additives to each of the 4 replicates for the 6 cell lines.
Simulate the workflow
Check that the device that you selected can follow the instructions that you prepared. To learn how, click here.
Preview the execution
After you simulate the workflow, click View Simulation to open the simulation details.
Open the Preview tab, then click through the steps to check that the instructions that Synthace has generated are correct.
You can see that the cell lines are already distributed in the 24-well plate in groups of four replicates along columns, and to each one different volumes of medium and additives are added, to attain the desired final concentrations and volume.
Check your work:
To see what your finished workflow to this tutorial should look like simply navigate to the Tutorials and search for Tutorial: 6. Mix Onto.
Challenges
Imagine you now want to compare the effect of different additive concentrations in the growth of each cell line. Try to specify different sets of concentrations for each one.