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Direct Generation of Dispense List Files

It is possible to programmatically build a full MANTIS dispense list with every possible variable. This can streamline automated workflows by removing the need to manually define your dispense list or import data from a .CSV file. Read the description in the table for more detailed information, and pay close attention to the formatting.

The Dispense List File Format Sample

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No.	Variable	Description	Acceptance Value
1.	Version	Version of dispense list parser within the MANTIS software. Each MANTIS software version comes with a parser version. The current dispense list parser is compatible with the previous versions, but we recommend upgrading the software to accommodate the parser to read the dispense list accurately.	Dispense list parser version (file format)
2.	Plate Type Name	The name of the plate to be used in the dispense.	Plate type file name
3.	Delays	Defines the delay settings assigned in the dispense. Each delay setting is separated by a tab, and multiple delays within a single dispense are appended to this line. See the dispense list file format sample.	Note: The sample above uses UserInput (1) and Timer (2) delay types. Follow the delay setting codes accordingly: 2 — Number of delay(s) in the dispense list Settings for UserInput delay (first delay in the file format sample) U — Delay type (U is for UserInput.) User Input Message — Specifies a message to be displayed when the UserInput delay is running. 1 — Defines the delay location in the dispense list. In this case, the delay is set to occur immediately following dispense of the reagent in priority 1. Lock — Enable the plate clamp to lock. Settings for Timer delay (second delay in the file format sample) 60 — Delay for 60 seconds when the delay type is Timer. (empty) — Specifies a message to be displayed when the Timer delay is running. In this case, the message is empty. 3 — Defines the Timer delay location in the dispense list. In this case, the delay is set to occur immediately following dispense of the reagent in priority 3.
4.	Number of Plates	Specifies the number of plates to be dispensed. It’s typically used for running a multi-plate dispense with single dispense list.	Number of plate(s)
5.	Delay Between Wells Per Reagent	Number of reagents to be dispensed followed by the delay time between wells for each reagent.	Follow the reagent and delay code accordingly (from left to right): 3 — Number of reagents in the dispense lis (Delay time for each reagent) 5 — Delay between wells for 5 seconds when dispensing the first reagent (100.00% Water) 2 — Delay between wells for 2 seconds when dispensing the second reagent (75.00% Water) 0 — No delay between wells (0 second delay) when dispensing the third reagent (50.00% Water)
6.	Reagent Location on Dispense List	Defines the reagent’s position in the dispense list.	Reagent’s position, starting with 0.
7.	Reagent Name and Viscosity	Name of the reagent and its viscosity to be used in the dispense.	Reagent name and viscosity
8.	Dispense Location	Specifies the dispense location followed by its index.	Well — Dispense location (Well or Drop) 1 — Index location (1 corresponds to the first well/drop location in this plate definition. A second well/drop location would be index 2.)
9.	Well Designer	Defines the dispense volume in each well.	See the dispense list file format sample.

Direct Generation of Dispense List Files

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