Methods, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and user interfaces for performing automated biological assay preparation and macromolecule purification

A computer-implemented method for performing automated sample processing wherein the sample processing is performed on an automated laboratory work station including a robot, comprising:

• permitting a user to
• specify a first set of protocol parameters for controlling the robot to perform a first protocol on a first sample tray to obtain a second sample tray;
• and
• specify a second set of protocol parameters for controlling the robot to perform a second protocol on the second sample tray without additional human instruction following completion of the first protocol, wherein the second protocol is different from the first protocol;
• and
• displaying representations of the first and second sample trays showing graphically the protocol to be performed on each well of the first and second sample trays.

An automated sample processing system including a user interface for inputting and displaying protocol parameters, the user interface comprising:

• a first view configured to receive instructions defining a first protocol with multiple parameters;
• a second view configured to receive instructions defining a second protocol with multiple parameters, wherein the second protocol is different from the first protocol, wherein the instructions defining the first and second protocols manipulate a robot to perform the second protocol immediately following completion of the first protocol and without intermediate instruction from a user;
• and
• a third view configured to display representations of a first and a second sample tray showing graphically the first and second protocol to be performed on each well of the first and second sample trays.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a robot to perform a method for automated sample processing, the method comprising the steps of:

• displaying a first view configured to receive instructions defining a first protocol with multiple parameters;
• displaying a second view configured to receive instructions defining a second protocol with multiple parameters, wherein the second protocol is different from the first protocol, wherein the instructions defining the first and second protocols manipulate the robot to perform the second protocol immediately following completion of the first protocol and without intermediate instruction from a user;
• and
• displaying a third view configured to display representations of a first and a second sample tray showing graphically the first and second protocol to be performed on each well of the first and second sample trays.

An apparatus for performing automated sample preparation, the apparatus comprising:

• a robot;
• processor configured to:
• receive a first set of user-specified protocol parameters defining a first procedure;
• receive a second set of user-specified protocol parameters defining a second procedure;
• compare the first set of user-specified protocol parameters to the second set of protocol parameters to identify incompatability;
• modifying the first or second sets of protocol parameters to correct any identified incompatability;
• means for converting the modified first and second set of protocol parameters into program instructions;
• and
• transmitting the program instructions to a robot controller;
• a memory for storing program instructions, and
• a robot controller configured to use the program instructions to:
• manipulate the robot to perform in response to program instructions based on the modified first set of protocol parameters the first procedure on a first sample tray to obtain a second sample tray;
• and
• without intermediate human intervention following the first procedure, manipulate the robot to perform in response to program instructions based on the modified second set of protocol parameters the second procedure on the second sample tray to obtain a third sample tray, wherein the second procedure is different from the first procedure.

A computer-implemented method for performing automated sample processing, wherein the sample procedures are performed on an automated laboratory work station including a robot, the method comprising:

• receiving a set of user-specified protocol parameters;
• checking the set of protocol parameters for incompatability between parameters in the set of protocol parameters;
• modifying the set of protocol parameters to correct the incompatibility;
• manipulating the robot to perform a procedure on a sample tray in response to computer instructions based on the modified set of protocol parameters;
• and
• outputting the sample tray comprising a result of the automated sample processing.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a robot to perform a method for automated sample processing, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first set of user-specified protocol parameters;
• receiving a second set of user-specified protocol parameters;
• comparing the first set of user-specified protocol parameters to the second set of user-specified protocol parameters to identify incompatibility;
• manipulating the robot to perform a first procedure on a first sample tray in response to computer instructions based on the modified first set of protocol parameters to obtain a second sample tray;
• and
• without intermediate human intervention following performance of the first procedure, manipulating the robot to perform a second procedure on the second sample tray in response to computer instructions based on the modified second set of protocol parameters.

A computer-implemented method for performing automated sample processing, wherein the sample processing is performed on an automated laboratory work station including a robot, the method comprising:

• receiving a first set of user-specified protocol parameters;
• receiving a second set of user-specified protocol parameters;
• comparing the first set of user-specified protocol parameters to the second set of user-specified protocol parameters to identify incompatibility;
• alerting a user to incompatabilities;
• manipulating the robot to perform a first procedure on a first sample tray in response to computer instructions based on a modified first set of protocol parameters to obtain a second sample tray;
• and
• without intermediate human intervention following performance of the first procedure, manipulating the robot to perform a second procedure on the second sample tray in response to computer instructions based on a modified second set of protocol parameters;
• and
• outputting the second sample tray comprising a result of the automated sample processing.

A computer-implemented method for performing automated sample processing, wherein the sample procedures are performed on an automated laboratory work station including a robot, the method comprising:

• receiving a set of protocol parameters;
• checking the set of protocol parameters for incompatability between parameters within a protocol;
• alerting a user to incompatabilities;
• manipulating the robot to perform a procedure on a sample tray in response to computer instructions based on a modified set of protocol parameters and;
• outputting the sample tray, wherein the sample tray comprises the result following the procedure.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a robot to perform a method for automated sample processing, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first set of user-specified protocol parameters;
• receiving a second set of user-specified protocol parameters;
• comparing the first set of user-specified protocol parameters to the second set of user-specified protocol parameters to identify incompatibility;
• alerting a user to incompatabilities;
• manipulating the robot to perform a first procedure on a first sample tray in response to computer instructions based on a modified first set of protocol parameters to obtain a second sample tray;
• and
• without intermediate human intervention following performance of the first procedure, manipulating the robot to perform a second procedure on the second sample tray in response to computer instructions based on a modified second set of protocol parameters.

An apparatus for performing automated sample preparation, the apparatus comprising:

• a robot;
• a processor configured to:
• receive a first set of user-specified protocol parameters;
• receive a second set of user-specified protocol parameters;
• compare the first set of user-specified protocol parameters to the second set of user-specified protocol parameters to identify incompatibility;
• alert a user to incompatabilities;
• accept user modifications to the first or second set of protocol parameters;
• means for converting the modified first and second set of protocol parameters into program instructions;
• and
• transmitting the program instructions to a robot controller;
• a memory for storing program instructions, and
• a robot controller;
• configured to use the program instructions to:
• manipulate the robot to perform in response to program instructions based on the modified first set of protocol parameters the first procedure on a first sample tray to obtain a second sample tray;
• and
• without intermediate human intervention following the first procedure, manipulate the robot to perform in response to program instructions based on the modified second set of protocol parameters the second procedure on the second sample tray to obtain a third sample tray, wherein the second procedure is different from the first procedure.