Cover and Seal

Instruction and Parameters

{
  "op": "seal",
  "object": container
}
{
  "op": "unseal",
  "object": container
}
{
  "op": "cover",
  "object": container,
  "lid": "standard" | "universal" |
         "low_evaporation"
}
{
  "op": "uncover",
  "object": container
}

Some instructions, such as the thermocycle or incubate instruction must be preceded by a seal or cover instruction.
On the other hand, if a container has a seal or a cover, it must be unsealed or uncovered before performing any action on the aliquots within. Autoprotocol-python makes this easy by automatically checking the cover status of a container before certain instructions and inserting a cover/seal (uncover/unseal) instruction where required.

Additionally, if executing a run as a package , a seal_on_store function is called at the end of the run which will apply a cover/seal instruction to all containers destined for storage, which are not already covered or sealed.

Some instructions can be run on covered or sealed containers, which are listed below:

Instruction	No cover?	Covered?	Sealed?
`pipette`	yes
`thermocycle`			yes
`absorbance`	yes	yes
fluorescence	yes	yes
`luminescence`	yes	yes
`incubate`		yes	yes
`gel_separate`	yes
`centrifugation`	yes	yes	yes

For more information on covers and seals, see the Containers section.

Device

In the case of PCR plates, the seal will be applied by an ALPS-3000 automatic sealer. Currently, optically clear heat seals are available. Chemically resistant foil seals will be added soon.

For plates that cannot be sealed a cover instruction can be used in which a lid type is specified. This instruction is completed by the gantry system.