Hi,
I am trying to aspirate to a 96 well plate using 48 tips (Cols 1-6) on MPH. Anyone has a method of doing that? Adjusting the target plate sequence to two 48 positions sequence raises an error. One way I know that works is using the MoveSeqAll in VirtualLabware library, but I wanted to know if there’s a more elegant way of doing that.
Thanks!
Issac
MPH aspirate / dispense steps always need a 96-sequence imho. I’d just configure it as if it was a full plate transfer.
Sorry I might not have been clear. The goal is to pickup 48 tips and fill the whole 96 plate in 2 dispenses, meaning the head will need to move outside of the plate’s outer bounds.
Okay I see. Then I think shifting is the correct way.
You need to:
Stage 96 tips on a tip support. When tips are in a tip rack the 96 MPH can not pick up columns of tips.
Note that to pick up 1-11 columns of tips the 96 MPH uses channels from the right, moving to the left. So if you want to pick up 1 column of tips from the tip support, it will pick up tips in column 1 from the tip support using column 12 channels on the MPH.
Also note that the MPH acts like a stamp. In general, it actually doesn’t know if there are tips on the channels.
Your tip support, aspirate, and dispense ALL must have sequences of 96.
Once the tips are on the tip support, pick up the tips using the “96 Head Tip Pickup” step. Go to “Channel Settings…” and set the “Reduced pattern mode” to “(3) Columns”. REMEMBER, tips are picked up from the right hand side!
At this point you can either feed in a channel pattern as a variable with 46 channels off (0) and 46 on (1) or you can just click on the RIGHT most 6 columns.
Pic for clarity:
If you wanted to just click the cells you can do that instead of a variable and you would highlight columns 7-12.Set up a loop to loop twice.
Set up your Aspirate and Dispense within the loop with the Dispense sequence counting set to “Automatic”.
Outside of the loop add a tip eject step.
In addition. If it is desired to pick up tips from the left side, then invert the sequence of the tip support so that it goes from right to left instead of the typical left to right. Make sure the channel pattern has a pattern of 48 1’s followed by 48 0’s. Or hard code it like this:
As Christina implied, it is the tip pick up that dictates the channel pattern/sequence progression.
The above channel pattern pickup will only progress 48 wells instead of 96 for aspiration and dispense steps.
@BrandonBare_Hamilton I had no clue it could pick up from the right side! I’ve always had an error doing this but now that I look through my method I think I know why, it’s counting columns and that is probably what is throwing the error. Thanks Brandon!
Thank you Christina and Brandon. Unfortunately I currently do not have the adapter that will allow the use of this method.
What was implemented in my protocol is that it arranges the tips on an empty tip rack, use the full 96 tip rack sequence to pickup and then move the the whole labware seq using virtuallabware. It’s a bit more risky but works
Hi @Christina ,
Your error was likely the sequence. It has to be sorted opposite from how you normally would use it to pick up from the right side of the tip support:
The sequence directs the path (you have to think about it in full columns) and the channel pattern dictates the channels.
chPattern: “11111111000000…” tells the MPH to use the left most 8 channels.
seqSort: “X desc, Y desc” tells the MPH to start moving from column 12 to column 1
@Isaac I mean, if it works then it works! I assume you “stage” the 6 columns of tips in the empty tip rack using your independent channels, right? Does that take a long time? If you’re good at 3D printing you could look into making a tip support.
@Christina Yes that’s how it works.
I think I won’t risk it with 3D printing, last thing I want is to break a 96 head haha
Thank you all for the help 
Hi @Isaac ,
I was able to do this using default functionality without shifting labware.
You need to have your empty FTR sequence set and sorted right to left:
From there, you can have the 1mL channels move the tips to the FTR using a loop over a sequence. Make sure to reset the target sequence but leave the source unchanged so your tip counters stay consistent.
This will pre-load the tips into the empty FTR with the tips on the left side of the wafer. Your MPH96 tip pickup step needs to have the channel pattern hard coded for column mode and the left 6 columns.
Afterwards, you are free to either loop over the sequence or set the loop number to 2 to aspirate from a reservoir and dispense to the target plate. Make sure to progress the sequence of the target plate so that it dispenses to the second half of the plate.
2026-07-09 13:24:41.260 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:41.355 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 49 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 50 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 51 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 52 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 53 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 54 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 55 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 56
2026-07-09 13:24:41.702 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:41.757 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 41 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 42 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 43 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 44 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 45 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 46 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 47 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 48
2026-07-09 13:24:41.854 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:41.923 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 57 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 58 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 59 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 60 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 61 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 62 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 63 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 64
2026-07-09 13:24:41.990 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:42.047 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 33 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 34 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 35 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 36 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 37 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 38 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 39 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 40
2026-07-09 13:24:42.112 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:42.168 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 65 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 66 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 67 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 68 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 69 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 70 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 71 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 72
2026-07-09 13:24:42.209 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:42.260 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 25 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 26 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 27 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 28 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 29 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 30 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 31 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 32
2026-07-09 13:24:42.314 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:42.379 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 73 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 74 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 75 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 76 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 77 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 78 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 79 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 80
2026-07-09 13:24:42.426 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:42.477 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 17 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 18 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 19 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 20 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 21 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 22 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 23 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 24
2026-07-09 13:24:42.531 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:42.588 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 81 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 82 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 83 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 84 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 85 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 86 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 87 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 88
2026-07-09 13:24:42.639 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:42.711 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 9 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 10 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 11 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 12 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 13 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 14 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 15 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 16
2026-07-09 13:24:42.766 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:42.821 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 89 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 90 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 91 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 92 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 93 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 94 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 95 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 96
2026-07-09 13:24:42.875 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:42.928 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : 1000ul Channel Tip Eject (Single Step) - complete; > channel 1: stf_l_0001, 1 > channel 2: stf_l_0001, 2 > channel 3: stf_l_0001, 3 > channel 4: stf_l_0001, 4 > channel 5: stf_l_0001, 5 > channel 6: stf_l_0001, 6 > channel 7: stf_l_0001, 7 > channel 8: stf_l_0001, 8
2026-07-09 13:24:42.971 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:43.233 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Tip Pick Up (Single Step) - complete; > CO-RE 96 Head: stf_l_0001, > channel 1: 1 > channel 2: 2 > channel 3: 3 > channel 4: 4 > channel 5: 5 > channel 6: 6 > channel 7: 7 > channel 8: 8 > channel 9: 9 > channel 10: 10 > channel 11: 11 > channel 12: 12 > channel 13: 13 > channel 14: 14 > channel 15: 15 > channel 16: 16 > channel 17: 17 > channel 18: 18 > channel 19: 19 > channel 20: 20 > channel 21: 21 > channel 22: 22 > channel 23: 23 > channel 24: 24 > channel 25: 25 > channel 26: 26 > channel 27: 27 > channel 28: 28 > channel 29: 29 > channel 30: 30 > channel 31: 31 > channel 32: 32 > channel 33: 33 > channel 34: 34 > channel 35: 35 > channel 36: 36 > channel 37: 37 > channel 38: 38 > channel 39: 39 > channel 40: 40 > channel 41: 41 > channel 42: 42 > channel 43: 43 > channel 44: 44 > channel 45: 45 > channel 46: 46 > channel 47: 47 > channel 48: 48
2026-07-09 13:24:43.268 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Aspirate (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:43.706 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Aspirate (Single Step) - complete; > CO-RE 96 Head: Ham_DW_Rgt_96_L_0001, 100.0 uL > channel 1: 1 > channel 2: 2 > channel 3: 3 > channel 4: 4 > channel 5: 5 > channel 6: 6 > channel 7: 7 > channel 8: 8 > channel 9: 9 > channel 10: 10 > channel 11: 11 > channel 12: 12 > channel 13: 13 > channel 14: 14 > channel 15: 15 > channel 16: 16 > channel 17: 17 > channel 18: 18 > channel 19: 19 > channel 20: 20 > channel 21: 21 > channel 22: 22 > channel 23: 23 > channel 24: 24 > channel 25: 25 > channel 26: 26 > channel 27: 27 > channel 28: 28 > channel 29: 29 > channel 30: 30 > channel 31: 31 > channel 32: 32 > channel 33: 33 > channel 34: 34 > channel 35: 35 > channel 36: 36 > channel 37: 37 > channel 38: 38 > channel 39: 39 > channel 40: 40 > channel 41: 41 > channel 42: 42 > channel 43: 43 > channel 44: 44 > channel 45: 45 > channel 46: 46 > channel 47: 47 > channel 48: 48
2026-07-09 13:24:43.729 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Dispense (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:44.108 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Dispense (Single Step) - complete; > CO-RE 96 Head: PCR_96_0001, 100.0 uL > channel 1: A1 > channel 2: B1 > channel 3: C1 > channel 4: D1 > channel 5: E1 > channel 6: F1 > channel 7: G1 > channel 8: H1 > channel 9: A2 > channel 10: B2 > channel 11: C2 > channel 12: D2 > channel 13: E2 > channel 14: F2 > channel 15: G2 > channel 16: H2 > channel 17: A3 > channel 18: B3 > channel 19: C3 > channel 20: D3 > channel 21: E3 > channel 22: F3 > channel 23: G3 > channel 24: H3 > channel 25: A4 > channel 26: B4 > channel 27: C4 > channel 28: D4 > channel 29: E4 > channel 30: F4 > channel 31: G4 > channel 32: H4 > channel 33: A5 > channel 34: B5 > channel 35: C5 > channel 36: D5 > channel 37: E5 > channel 38: F5 > channel 39: G5 > channel 40: H5 > channel 41: A6 > channel 42: B6 > channel 43: C6 > channel 44: D6 > channel 45: E6 > channel 46: F6 > channel 47: G6 > channel 48: H6
2026-07-09 13:24:44.124 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Aspirate (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:44.446 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Aspirate (Single Step) - complete; > CO-RE 96 Head: Ham_DW_Rgt_96_L_0001, 100.0 uL > channel 1: 1 > channel 2: 2 > channel 3: 3 > channel 4: 4 > channel 5: 5 > channel 6: 6 > channel 7: 7 > channel 8: 8 > channel 9: 9 > channel 10: 10 > channel 11: 11 > channel 12: 12 > channel 13: 13 > channel 14: 14 > channel 15: 15 > channel 16: 16 > channel 17: 17 > channel 18: 18 > channel 19: 19 > channel 20: 20 > channel 21: 21 > channel 22: 22 > channel 23: 23 > channel 24: 24 > channel 25: 25 > channel 26: 26 > channel 27: 27 > channel 28: 28 > channel 29: 29 > channel 30: 30 > channel 31: 31 > channel 32: 32 > channel 33: 33 > channel 34: 34 > channel 35: 35 > channel 36: 36 > channel 37: 37 > channel 38: 38 > channel 39: 39 > channel 40: 40 > channel 41: 41 > channel 42: 42 > channel 43: 43 > channel 44: 44 > channel 45: 45 > channel 46: 46 > channel 47: 47 > channel 48: 48
2026-07-09 13:24:44.468 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Dispense (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:44.819 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Dispense (Single Step) - complete; > CO-RE 96 Head: PCR_96_0001, 100.0 uL > channel 1: A7 > channel 2: B7 > channel 3: C7 > channel 4: D7 > channel 5: E7 > channel 6: F7 > channel 7: G7 > channel 8: H7 > channel 9: A8 > channel 10: B8 > channel 11: C8 > channel 12: D8 > channel 13: E8 > channel 14: F8 > channel 15: G8 > channel 16: H8 > channel 17: A9 > channel 18: B9 > channel 19: C9 > channel 20: D9 > channel 21: E9 > channel 22: F9 > channel 23: G9 > channel 24: H9 > channel 25: A10 > channel 26: B10 > channel 27: C10 > channel 28: D10 > channel 29: E10 > channel 30: F10 > channel 31: G10 > channel 32: H10 > channel 33: A11 > channel 34: B11 > channel 35: C11 > channel 36: D11 > channel 37: E11 > channel 38: F11 > channel 39: G11 > channel 40: H11 > channel 41: A12 > channel 42: B12 > channel 43: C12 > channel 44: D12 > channel 45: E12 > channel 46: F12 > channel 47: G12 > channel 48: H12
2026-07-09 13:24:44.829 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Tip Eject (Single Step) - start;
2026-07-09 13:24:45.061 Microlab® STAR / VANTAGE : CO-RE 96 Head Tip Eject (Single Step) - complete; > CO-RE 96 Head: StarPlusCore96SideWaste_0001,
Thank you very much Brandon. I thought I tried that but maybe I missed something.
Can this method also be used to dispense to 384 plates? So that it will take 48 tips and fill the whole plate in 8 dispenses?
Hi @Isaac ,
Same concept yes. You would have to have the 384 sequence sorted by quadrant. Then loop over the sequence until it dispenses to each round.
Using Sort for channels and using the Head 96 channel stamp will sort your selected sequence in this way.
Hi Brandon,
I was trying to follow you instruction but got stumped by an error. If I try to choose (3) under Reduce pattern mode I get this error and it won’t let me continue. I arranged the tip sequence as you described. Any idea what am I doing wrong here?
Thanks!
Hi @Isaac ,
It looks like you are referencing a different sequence in the tip pickup from the one that you showed that was sorted properly.
My bad, I took this screenshot before trying to add a new sequence but both of them are arranged as you described:
Hi @Isaac ,
You do get a warning when you specify column pickup mode. There are no logic checks associated with it.
Have you tried clicking OK to the warning, channel pattern, and pickup command to continue?
Right, I didn’t notice that after clearing the warning the channel selection in aspirate commands changed - and now it works for both 96 and 384. That’s pretty awesome, will make my life so much easier
Highly appreciate your help Brandon!
Isaac
