Here is an instructional video, demonstrating how to run an execution on a FORMULATRIX Mantis®, using Synthace.
Please note, this is not an exhaustive guide on how to use this device. For further support please refer to your Synthace point-of-contact - or the FORMULATRIX website.
To Note:
Unlike other dispensers, the Mantis liquid transfers are performed using a unique dispense mechanism, via pulses of a diaphragm on a specific FORMULATRIX Mantis chip. Depending on the chip used, the dispense volumes will be achieved using pulses dispensing 0.1 ul and/or 0.5 ul, 1 ul and/or 5 ul or continuous flow. However, this comes with some constraints that you should consider when implementing the FORMULATRIX Mantis in Synthace.
Synthace will account for the dispense resolution of the FORMULATRIX Mantis, allowing for a minimum transfer volume of 100 nl. As the device is constrained to dispensing in 0.1 ul - 5 ul pulses Synthace will only allow for volume transfers in 100 nl step-size. Please be aware of these constraints when creating your workflow for the Mantis device.
If you are intending on performing a Spacefill DOE with range levels on the Mantis, please keep this constraint in mind.
If your workflow is hitting these device constraints, your simulation will fail and you will be prompted to modify your final concentrations or modify your input concentrations, if applicable.
Mantis configurations
The FORMULATRIX Mantis® can be set up with various configurations - including a LC3 carousel, to increase the number of input liquids available. Synthace is compatible with all current FORMULATRIX Mantis® configurations.
In Synthace, “Mantis Chips” are defined as the input labware - meaning Synthace is deck-layout-agnostic, and the user has the freedom to specify each chip type in the Mantis software.
In the workflow settings, select “Formulatrix Mantis Chips” as your Input Plate Type.
Output Plates
The Mantis® is compatible with a wide variety of output plates (96-well, 384-well, 1536-well…) - as long as the Mantis software has the geometry of the plate.
Synthace aids this by providing the geometry of any plates used in a Synthace workflow - allowing the user to simply upload their plate file(s) to the Mantis software each time they use a new plate.
Since the FORMULATRIX Mantis® only has space for one output plate, Synthace will split multi-plate executions into separate dispense lists - for the user to run separately.
Setting Up for Execution
Downloading device instructions
Once you have created a workflow and simulation - in the Simulation Details page in Synthace press ‘START EXECUTION’ in the top-right. You will be taken to the Executions page.
To run an execution stage on the Formulatrix Mantis ®, download the instruction files by clicking on DOWNLOAD on the corresponding execution stage. In Execution Details, each device stage shows a reference table of the input and output plates required for each instructions file. Run them in the order provided in the table. To prepare the plates needed for each instructions file, hover over each input and output plate to visualise what liquids it needs to contain at the start of the corresponding part of the run.
All device instructions related to this stage are contained in this file, which is a zip archive. To access device instructions, navigate to the folder you saved them to and unzip the archive using appropriate software.
Each instruction file contains the transfers from 1 input plate (representing a set of chips connected to source liquids) to 1 output plate. You will also find the plate definitions you might need for this stage among the downloaded files.
Once you have completed the execution for Stage 1, click ‘MARK AS COMPLETE’ and add a comment (if desired). The status will change from ‘In progress’ to ‘Succeeded.’ Repeat for each additional stage.
Understanding device instructions files
Once unzipped, the device instruction files will consist of three file types:
The DispenseList (.dl) named {Name of the workflow}_{ID}.dl
This file contains the name and volume of the liquid - and the location of where it should be dispensed in the plate.
The plate definition (.pd)
This file contains the geometry of the labware being used.
Importing FORMULATRIX Mantis® execution files
If the output plate type you have selected in your Synthace workflow is not already defined in the Mantis software, you will need to import that plate definition before opening and running a protocol.
Open the Mantis application.
Select “Tools” from the toolbar - then “Open Data Directory…”
Open the “User” folder.
Place the .dl (dispense list) file, that you downloaded from Synthace, into the “Dispense Lists” folder.
Place the .pd (plate definition) file, that you downloaded from Synthace, into the “Plates” folder.
Note: this it not necessary if you have used this plate with your FORMULATRIX Mantis® previously.
You can then return to the Mantis software, and access the dispense list by clicking the “Open Dispense List” icon.
