In this tutorial, we will combine the Select and Normalize Core Elements to cherry-pick plasmid DNA samples for normalization. The Select element allows for the selection of samples based on the concentration parameter. Comparison operators e.g. greater than, less than, equal to, can be used to describe the behaviour of the selection. In this case, only samples with a DNA concentration greater than a defined value can be normalized. However, those samples with a concentration lower than this threshold are required in downstream steps and will be directly aliquoted to the output plate without undergoing normalization.
Get started
Normalize a subset of samples
Reconfigure the existing workflow
Currently, the concentration of all our DNA samples is above the Target Concentration for the normalization. For the purpose of this tutorial, alter the Target Concentration to 30 ng/ul. Set the number of Replicates to 1.
Select samples greater than the target concentration
Firstly, delete the connection between the Define Plasmid DNA element and the Normalize 1 element.
Insert a Select element. Rename this element to Select for Normalization and connect the DNA samples into the Liquids input. Connect Selected Liquids to Liquids to Normalize.
Set the Condition parameter in the Select element to Any.
Under the Concentration input select Greater Than from the drop-down menu and define the concentration as
30 ng/ul.All the liquids defined in Define Plasmid DNA with a concentration greater than 30 ng/ul will now be accessible through the Selected Liquids output and passed to the Normalize element.
Aliquot all samples to the same plate
Append the Normalized Liquids to the Unselected Liquids from the Select to Normalize element.
Add an Aliquot element to the workflow builder and rename it to
Aliquot All Liquids.Connect the appended liquids to this element.
Configure the Aliquot All Liquids element to aliquot 2 ul of the selected liquids to a new plate.
The workflow is now complete and should look like this:
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 will see that those samples above the threshold for normalization are normalized by concentration in one plate. Those samples which can not be normalized are aliquoted directly to the transformation_plate. Once normalized, the remaining samples are then added to the same plate.
Check your work:
To see what your finished workflow to this tutorial should look like simply navigate to the Tutorials and search for Tutorial: 12. Build flexible, scalable workflows with the core elements.
Challenges
You will notice that the efficiency of the liquid transfers could be improved. The default liquid policy does not allow multi-channeling. For the purpose of this exercise, select default as the liquid policy in the Define Plasmid DNA element. Resimulate your workflow and observe how the liquid handling behaviour has changed.