System and method for automated single cell processing

A method comprising:

• retaining a sample processing cartridge at a deck;
• wherein the sample processing cartridge comprises:
• a set of wells, and
• a lid configured to cover an access region over the set of wells of the
• sample processing cartridge, the lid comprising an open position in which the access region is uncovered and a closed position in which the access region is covered, the lid further comprising a releasing element;
• transferring a sample to the set of wells of the sample processing cartridge;
• performing a set of operations in coordination with transferring a set of reagents from a reagent cartridge to the set of wells of the sample processing cartridge, wherein the set of operations comprises:
• priming the sample processing cartridge upon dispensing a priming solution into the sample processing cartridge;
• performing a reverse transcription operation, at the set of wells of the sample processing cartridge, on nucleic acids of the sample;
• performing a strand denaturing and second strand synthesis operation upon performance of the reverse transcription operation;
• transitioning, using a lid-opening tool the lid between the open position and the closed position, with
• retention of the sample processing cartridge at the deck, wherein the lid-opening tool comprises a linking element configured to engage the releasing element on the lid;
• and
• performing a cDNA amplification operation upon performance of the strand denaturing and second strand synthesis operation.