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opentrons-integration

Official Opentrons Protocol API for OT-2 and Flex robots. Use when writing protocols specifically for Opentrons hardware with full access to Protocol API v2 features. Best for production Opentrons protocols, official API compatibility. For multi-vendor automation or broader equipment control use pylabrobot.

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@K-Dense-AI

Category

Development Tools

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Opentrons Integration - Laboratory Automation Liquid-Handling Robots

Skill Overview


The Opentrons integration provides official Protocol API v2 support to help you write automated liquid-handling protocols in Python, controlling Flex and OT-2 robots to perform pipetting, PCR setup, serial dilutions, and other laboratory operations.

Applicable Scenarios

  • Writing Opentrons automated protocols: Write Protocol API v2 protocols in Python to execute liquid handling, sample transfers, and complex multi-step experimental workflows on Flex or OT-2 robots.

  • Hardware module integration and control: Coordinate temperature modules, magnetic modules, heater-shakers, and thermocyclers to enable automated experiments that require precise temperature control or magnetic bead separation.

  • High-throughput liquid handling: Perform 96-well plate replication, serial dilutions, PCR setup, and other batch operations to reduce manual error and increase experimental throughput.

    • Key Features

  • Liquid handling operations: Supports basic pipetting (aspirate/dispense), transfer, distribute, consolidate, as well as advanced techniques like mixing, air gaps, blow_out, and touch_tip, with precise control over flow rates and volumes.

  • Hardware module control: Provides full API control for modules such as temperature modules (set/wait for temperature), magnetic modules (bead separation), heater-shakers (temperature control + shaking), and thermocyclers (PCR programs).

  • Labware management: Supports loading various types of pipettes, plates, reservoirs, and adapters, and allows flexible access to wells using methods like wells(), rows(), and columns().

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between the Opentrons integration and pylabrobot?


    The Opentrons integration is the official Protocol API, designed specifically for Opentrons hardware (Flex, OT-2) and provides full Protocol API v2 feature support, making it best suited for Opentrons protocol development in production environments. pylabrobot, on the other hand, is a multi-vendor automation framework suitable for scenarios that require controlling devices from different manufacturers.

    How do I start writing my first Opentrons protocol?


    First install the opentrons package, then create a Python file containing metadata and a run() function. In the run() function, use protocol_context to load instruments, labware, and modules, and write liquid-handling commands. It is recommended to first test the protocol in simulation mode (opentrons_simulate) and, after confirming it is correct, run it on the actual robot.

    What types of liquid-handling operations does Opentrons support?


    It supports basic operations (aspirate, dispense, pick_up_tip, drop_tip), bulk operations (transfer, distribute, consolidate), advanced techniques (mix, air_gap, blow_out, touch_tip), and flow-rate control. Using multi-channel pipettes enables row-wise operations and significantly improves the efficiency of processing 96-well plates.