(Last updated: April 2020)
For the genome-wide library and sub-libraries, each assay-ready plate has a unique 6- or 7-digit barcode number assigned to it. These barcode numbers are printed onto labels and as barcodes and placed onto the lid and sides of each plate. The barcode numbers do not differentiate between plate types, only reagent concentrations. The format of each barcode number is as follows:
_ _ _ B or T #
- _ _ _: 3-digit ID number assigned to that assay-ready plate depending on the library or sub-library it hails from. 100-series plates are genome-wide library plates. Each sub-library has a different first number.
- B: bathing (50ng/uL) or T: transfection (16ng/uL) concentrations
- #: copy number of the assay-ready plate
Ex. Plate 134B35 is the 35th copy of assay-ready plate 134 at bathing concentration.
The barcode number does not include info about the plate type; that information is stored in the FlyRNAi Internal Screening Database & LIMS. Plates are eventually checked out to a specific project through this LIMS system.
Looking up the next barcode number for a plate
1. Go to the Internal Screening database (https://www.flyrnai.org/cgi-bin/RNAi_login.pl) and login with your credentials.
2. Select “Add New Aliquots to Database.”
3. Enter the plate number for which you are making new copies, the number of copies being made (“Count”), the assay method (B or T), and the type of plate being used. Hit “Lookup next Plates.” This will give you the barcode number information needed for the labels of each new plate.
4. When ready to add the plates to the Internal Screening database, hit “Add to Database” located at the bottom of the page.
Making labels
1. Go to the Internal Screening database (https://www.flyrnai.org/cgi-bin/RNAi_login.pl) and login with your credentials.
2. Select “The All New Official Sam Talala Label Page Creator.”
3. Enter the barcode numbers into the provides box and hit “Submit.” The site will generate a .rtf file.
4. Click the .rtf file to download it to your computer. Open the file using Microsoft Word (or the word processor of your choice). There should be a table with your barcode numbers repeated three times in regular font and once as a barcode.
- If you do not see the barcode, ask Aram to send you the “IDAutomationHC39M Free Version” font file. Then install the font onto your computer and change the fourth label to this font.
5. In your Microsoft Word program, create as many sets of labels needed for the number of plates being made. Make sure to change the copy # for each set of labels.
6. The labels used on the assay-ready plates are located in the drawer called “Labels” under the BenchCel and PlateLoc. Place a sheet right-side up into the DRSC printer paper feed. Print out the sheet of labels using MS Word.
- Some adjustments to the length and width of the table may be needed so that all the printed characters and barcodes fit well on the physical sheet of labels. Make any necessary adjustments on the Word document and with the paper holder on the printer.
Labeling assay-ready plates
1. Each assay-ready plate needs three printed labels and a barcode on its sides and cover. One label goes on the top of the clear cover, one label goes on the bottom long edge, and the last label plus the barcode go on the right edge.
2. Label the plates before stamping them out.
3. Make sure to add plates to the Internal Screening database after stamping them.
4. When ready to pass labeled plates onto users, make sure to check the plates out on the Internal Screening database.
- On the database’s main menu, select “Assay Plate Check-Out.”
- Select the correct assay and screener names from the drop-down menus.
- Enter the barcode numbers of the plates being checked out to that particular project into the provided box.
- Hit “Check-out.”
- To double-check whether the plates were successfully checked out, go back to the main menu and hit “Assay Plate Inventory.”
- Enter in the barcode number and hit “Submit.” The resulting entry should show the plate checked out to the selected assay and screener.