Biospecimen Aliquotting

Order dry ice the night before, at the latest, for delivery at 9 am.

Compile list of parent aliquots according to freezer position. Group aliquots from the same rack, column and box in the freezer.

Pull parent aliquots from separate locations and pool into one or more boxes. Place in one location in the freezer.

Print labels and label tubes for sub-aliquots.

In order to save time, scan barcodes of sub-aliquots into freezerworks.

Highlight parent aliquot to be sub-alquotted.

Click sub-aliquot.

Type in number of sub-aliquots, volumes (current and initial), freeze thaws, and amount to be deducted from parent aliquot.

Scan sub-aliquots into freezerworks.

Position sub-aliquots (position one sub-aliquot in parent aliquot’s original position).

Place parent aliquots On ice to thaw for about 2h 0m 0s.

Sub-aliquotting parent aliquots:

Pipette samples in numerical order by sub-aliquot barcode label.

Any sample left over in the parent tube should be distributed evenly amongst the subaliquots.

Extra sub-aliquots can be created if remaining amount of sample in parent tube equals or exceeds desired volume.

Do not discard parent tube. Place in tube rack and set aside for scanning.

Do not discard extra, empty sub-aliquot tubes. Place in tube rack and set aside for scanning.

Place one new sub-aliquot in the original position previously held by the parent aliquot.

Place remaining sub-aliquots immediately into the -80°C freezer in positions determined in Step 5.5.

Scan parent aliquot in “select by scanned field” function. Update parent aliquots by setting “current amount” to 0.

Scan extra, empty sub-aliquots in “select by scanned field” function. Delete aliquots entirely.

Add transactions in Freezerworks for each aliquot given to a collaborator outlining:

Date of aliquotting.

Type of transaction (i.e. “imparting of specimens”).

A note that describes to whom the aliquot is for, the volume, and type of aliquot.

(see “Adding transactions” protocol for additional information.)