Systems and methods for loading liquid samples

A method of loading a liquid sample into a plurality of reaction sites in a substrate, the method comprising:

• depositing a liquid sample to a reservoir of a sample loader;
• installing the sample loader on a sample loader connector connected to a mechanism housing of a loading apparatus, wherein the mechanism housing includes mechanisms configured to move and position the sample loader;
• providing a control system configured to mechanically control movement of the sample loader;
• activating a lever to position the sample loader in an initial position to begin loading, wherein positioning the sample loader in the initial position includes positioning the sample loader, using the mechanisms, to contact the sample loader to the substrate including the plurality of reaction sites;
• and
• activating a lever release button to begin movement of sample loader across the substrate, wherein the lever and lever release button are connected to the mechanisms;
• and
• laterally moving the sample loader, using the mechanisms controlled by the control system, over the plurality of reaction sites while contacting the sample loader to the substrate so that the liquid sample is deposited into the plurality of reaction sites, wherein laterally moving comprises moving the sample loader across the substrate with a sweeping motion.