When you read this article, you will learn how to:
set a specific liquid policy to a liquid or group of liquids in any element on the builder.
override a liquid policy on a given element.
set a policy on liquids uploaded via the table editor.
If you’re wondering how to set custom liquid handling policies, click here.
To find out more about liquid policies in general, click here.
Setting liquid policies on elements
The start point of a workflow is usually the Define Liquids and Plates element. In this element, you can define liquids and set specific policies to specific liquids. This is done in the Liquid Policies parameter.
Downstream elements, by default, will use the liquid policy that is already associated with the input liquids they receive. However, in some cases, you might want to modify this behaviour, particularly if you’re mixing into another liquid. For example, you might want to transfer buffer with a free dispense and tip reuse, and then add DNA with a bottom dispense and 3 post-mix cycles. In these cases, you can override the existing liquid policy and set a new one. To do so, we modify the Liquid Policy Overrides parameter.
In both cases, this is how you can set a liquid policy to a liquid or a set of liquids:
On the builder, click on the element where you want to define a liquid policy. This will open the parameter editor window.
Navigate to the Parameter editor window and find the Liquid Policies or the Liquid Policy Overrides parameter.
Click ADD NEW ENTRY.
The first box asks you to specify the name of a liquid or a tag. Clicking the box will expand a dropdown with all the liquids and tags already defined in the workflow.
Click on the liquid to which you want to apply a liquid policy. The box will now be filled with that name.
Tip: you can use the word default, to define a policy that will then apply to all the liquids in that element.
Tip: you can use Tags to apply policies to groups of liquids, like all samples.
Click SELECT POLICY. This will open a view of the liquid policy inventory.
Click on the policy you wish to use (it will become highlighted) and then click SELECT.
That’s it. Your policy is now set on the liquids you specified.
Setting liquid policies on liquids uploaded via a table
Sometimes, the starting point to defining liquids is using a table. Tables can be uploaded to a Define Liquids and Tables element, and different liquid policies can be assigned to different liquids.
On the builder, click on the Define Liquids and Plates element where you want to define a liquid policy. This will open the parameter editor window.
Navigate to the Parameter editor window and click ADD SPREADSHEET or EDIT SPREADSHEET, depending on whether or not you have already specified some liquids.
Tip: Note that the Define From parameter needs to be set to Table Editor. To learn more about defining liquids via a table, click here.
In the Liquid Table, select the row containing the liquid you want to set a policy on. Click SELECT POLICY, under Liquid Type, this will open a view of the liquid policy inventory.
Click on the policy you wish to use (it will become highlighted) and then click SELECT.
That’s it. Your policy is now set on the liquids you specified.
