To create new samples within LabKey Biologics, you must first create the Sample Type to describe the properties this kind of sample will have.

Once the type exists, you can create or import data for new samples, using grid and file import interfaces described here.

Topics

• Create Sample Type
• Naming Patterns
• Sample Name Changes
• Sample and Aliquot Fields
• Add Samples
• Derive Samples from Selected Parent
• Derive New Samples
• Derive Aliquots or Pooled Samples
• Sample Creation Grid
• Import Samples from File

Create Sample Type

The Sample Type defines the fields and properties of samples. You can create Sample Types either inside or outside the LabKey Biologics application.

To create Sample Types inside the Biologics Application, click Sample Types on the main menu, then select Create > Sample Type.

• Note that before any Sample Types are created, the main menu will include a direct link to "Create a Sample Type".

Follow the Sample Type creation process, as described in this topic for the LabKey Sample Manager application:

• Sample Manager: Create Sample Type

Learn about about the different field types available in this topic: Field Types and Properties Special behavior for File fields in Sample Types is described in this topic: Attach Images and Other Files

Naming Patterns

Samples must have unique names (SampleIDs). These can be provided by you or generated by the system using a Naming Pattern as part of the definition of the Sample Type. Naming patterns can incorporate column values, dates, strings, and lineage details. Learn more in this topic:

• Sample Naming Patterns

${${AliquotedFrom}-:withCounter}

If instead you wanted to use a dot between the sample name and aliquot number, you'd use the pattern:

${${AliquotedFrom}.:withCounter}

Learn more about customizing aliquot naming patterns here: Aliquot Naming Patterns

Both Sample and Aliquot naming patterns will be validated during sample type creation, giving administrators a chance to correct any syntax errors. Users will be able to hover over the to see an example generated ID in a tool tip within the application when creating new samples or viewing the details for a sample type.

Sample Name Changes

Note that you cannot edit the SampleID (Name) later using any grid, bulk or file import method. To change the SampleID, you can edit the individual sample's details. Keep in mind that sample names must remain unique.

Note that an administrator can restrict the ability to edit sample names if desired.

Sample and Aliquot Fields

The Fields in a Sample Type define the data and metadata you can store about the sample.

An administrator can configure each field to be:

• Editable for samples only (default): Aliquots will inherit the value of the field from the sample.
• Editable for aliquots only: Samples will not display this field, but it will be included for aliquots.
• Separately editable for samples and aliquots: Both samples and aliquots can set a different value for this property.

Add Samples

There are several ways to add (create) samples.

• From the grid of the type of samples you're adding, select Add > to add them manually or import from a file.

• From any Sample's detail page: Select > Create Samples > [Type of Sample] to create samples of any type. See below. From a Bioregistry Entity detail page, this option is under the Create menu.

• From a Bioregistry entity or Media type that you want to include as the parent of new samples, select the desired parent rows, then choose Create Samples > [Type of Sample].

• From the home dashboard, click Add Samples, then select the sample type and method in the sample creation wizard.

Derive Samples from Selected Parent(s)

To create new samples of any type by deriving them from one or more parent sample(s), start from the grid of the parent entity type.

Select the parent(s) using checkboxes, then choose Derive > and one of the options. Note that on narrower browsers, the "Derive" section will be under the More menu.

• Aliquot Selected
• Derive from Selected > [Type of Sample]
• Pool Selected (Offered when two or more parents are selected.)

Derive From Selected

When you select one or more parent samples and choose Derive > Derive from Selected > [Type of Sample], you can create one or more output samples per parent, potentially with different properties.

Enter how many new samples per parent you want to create, then click Go To Sample Creation Grid.

You'll see the parent entity prepopulated, can edit this if necessary, and provide other details before finishing sample creation.

Learn more in the companion topic for Sample Manager:

• Aliquots, Derivatives, and Sample Pooling

Aliquot or Pool Selected Samples

Selecting one or more samples, then choosing either Aliquot Selected or Pool Selected will let you create a selected number of new samples with the given parent(s).

Provide the number to create (for derivatives and aliquots this is the number per parent), then click Go To Sample Creation Grid to continue creating the new samples with prepopulated parents.

Learn more in the companion topic for Sample Manager:

• Aliquots, Derivatives, and Sample Pooling

Sample Creation Wizard

The fields required for creating new samples will vary based on the Sample Type. All new samples require:

• Sample Type: May be prepopulated, or need to be selected.
• Quantity to create.

• Create Samples from Grid
• Import Samples from File

Parents

If desired, one or more parents of the new sample can be added here. Click Add Parent, then select the type of parent to be added from the list of Data Classes and Sample Types available. More than one type of parent may be selected if needed, and there is no requirement that each new sample have parents from every type selected.

If you are generating new sample IDs from an existing sample or entity, it will already be prepopulated as a parent, with the type of entity preselected as a parent type.

Generating Samples

Once the fields in the wizard are completed, click Finish Creating # Samples to generate the new samples.

Upon successful submission, you will see the sample type filtered to show only your newly created samples.

Import Samples from File

Access this option by navigating to the type of sample you are importing and choosing Add > Import from File.

Using a downloaded template for your Sample Type makes it easy to import data in the expected format from file.

Follow the steps in the companion topic for Sample Manager:

• Import Samples from File

Related Topics

• Biologics: Manage Samples
• Sample Naming Patterns
• Field Types and Properties
• Import from File Using Template