Print and Apply: Printing a “Virtual ” Barcode : SAMI® Tips and Tricks

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Question:
My Print & Apply barcode printing station offers a lot of choices for printing different types of barcodes. However, I use the “Barcode Assign” module in my method to generate a virtual barcode for my assay plate. The final readout is done off-line and I would like to print this virtual barcode onto my plate. How can I do this?

Answer (by Christoph Krüll, Ph.D, Beckman Coulter):
This is possible. The following description assumes that the Print & Apply is installed, SAMI version 3.0 or higher is used, and the user is familiar with the "Barcode Assign" module. We want to configure the Print & Apply module to print the content of a plate property, here known as the property “Barcode.” Properties such as “Name” and “Barcode” describe the plate and can be logged together with, e.g. reader data. Here we want to simply read a property and then print it. We will use multiple configurations of a station. Consult the "Changing Parameters at Run Time" section in the SAMI user manual addendum for multiple configurations.

Setup

Prepare a SAMI method as shown in Fig.1. It is a good idea to put the Barcode Assign module right after the liquid handling part, here a Biomek® FX. This is a logical place for the module since both plates are still on the liquid handler at the same time and simplifies scheduling of this action. Double click the Print & Apply icon and proceed with the configuration as described in Fig.2.

Fig.1 SAMI Method Flowchart

First we configure the check boxes on the left side of the module. For this example, we assume we want to automatically print a barcode in Code 128 format on the (narrow) side A of our assay plate. After completion of the print action, we want to do a verify read to confirm successful barcode printing and applying. The Print & Apply module offers an option for several retries if the verify barcode read fails. Click on the “Options” button to access these settings (not shown here). A "Print Barcode" option is not available. We choose for "Print String" instead and configure this to print the word "ERROR."

At run time, we will change this setting and use the virtual barcode as our print string. Thus the "ERROR" string should never be used. Update the module with your settings to close the window. Right-click on the Print & Apply module and choose "Properties..."

Fig.2 Configure the Print & Apply to its default.

The Properties configuration (Fig. 3) allows us to change SILAS™ messages to the modules at run time. Do not change any of the settings that do already show up on the left side. These are required for the normal operation of the module. Look for the first empty line and type the word “Barcode” in the left field (highlighted in blue). Then search for the “Automated Print String” parameter in the right selection window (highlighted in grey) and drag-and-drop it into the empty field right to your “Barcode” entry. Confirm with “OK,” schedule and run your method. You will find the right barcode printed on your assay plate.

Fig.3 Configure Properties to change parameters to run-time.

* All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Where applicable, the PCR process is covered by patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., and F. Hoffmann-LaRoche, Ltd.

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