Define a user prompt
Core elements tutorial 7.3
In some experimental protocols the user might want to generate a prompt that interrupts the automated workflow, so that a specific action can take place. This can be guidance regarding an action that needs to happen off deck (for eg, requesting that a plate is manually transferred to an incubator, or stored in a fridge), or a request for specific reagents to be added to the deck just as they are needed. This can be necessary if a reagent is particularly light- or temperature-sensitive. To generate a user prompt that pauses the execution of the workflow, try using the Prompt element.
This element has similar behaviour to the Synchronize element. For more information on Synchronize, please click here.
Get started
Aliquot liquids and prompt
In this example, one set of liquids is defined by the Define Liquids and Plates element, aliquoted using the Aliquot element, and then a prompt is generated using the Prompt element.
In the workflow builder, add 3 elements to your canvas: 1x Define Liquids and Plates, 1x Aliquot and 1x Prompt. Define the input liquids and the aliquot conditions. To learn how, click here.
Connect the Aliquots parameter from the Aliquot element to the Liquids A input parameter of the Prompt element.
Click on the Prompt element and in the parameters panel define the message that should be displayed during the execution of the protocol.
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.
In this case, you can see the message specified in the Prompt element appears after the liquids are aliquoted.
We hope that this tutorial has been helpful!
If you got stuck anywhere, or you want to check that you did everything right, compare your workflow to the following example.
The example is in a file that you need to download. To download it, right-click the button, then select Save as.
After you download the file, complete the following steps.
Aliquot samples, prompt, then mix a reagent on top
In this example, a series of samples are aliquoted and a light sensitive Reagent A needs to be added on top of the samples. For this reason, it is desirable to have a prompt which requests the user to put Reagent A on deck just as it is needed.
Building on the previous workflow, now add two elements to the workflow builder: 1x Define Liquids and Plates and 1x Mix Onto. To lean more about the Mix Onto element, click here.
Connect the Liquids parameter from the Define Liquids and Plates element to the Liquids B input parameter of the Prompt element.
Click on the Prompt element and in the parameters panel define the message that should be displayed during the execution of the protocol.
Connect the Liquids A output parameter from the Prompt element to the Destination Liquids input parameter of the Mix Onto element. Liquids are outputted from the Prompt element in order, which means that Liquids A corresponds to your aliquoted liquids.
Connect the Liquids B output parameter from the Prompt element to the Source Liquids input parameter of the Mix Onto element. Liquids B corresponds to Reagent A, defined in Define Liquids and Plates.
In the Parameters panel of the Mix Onto element, specify the Mix Mode, Naming Mode and Transfer Volume.
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 once the samples are aliquoted there is a prompt that requires you to put the trough with Reagent A on deck, before the device continues and adds the reagent to all samples.
