Staff-Run Samples
Users must have an MCB or CGR Domain Account and must register for a Sequencing Account. Please use these instructions to obtain an account if you do not already have one.
Reservations and Costs
All sample slots must be reserved on the web signup page prior to submission. Samples that haven’t been scheduled will not be loaded.
Reservations are accepted in increments of 8 samples, also referred to as a slot (1 slot = 8 samples). The facility can handle 144 slots per day. The fee per slot is $16; this will be charged to the 33-digit code that you supply when you reserve the slot. We offer a discounted price of $96 for full plates (96 samples = 12 slots). This discount will be applied automatically when you reserve 12 slots at one time.
Sample Labeling and Submission
Samples may be submitted in 0.2ml tubes or plates. Please use a plate that is compatible with the sequencer (for example, VWR part #83009-676). The samples can be capped, parafilmed or scotch taped to prevent evaporation and spills. Taped or parafilmed tubes are preferred. We do not suggest wrapping the tubes into aluminum foil as it is a problem to unwrap them. The length of exposure to light will not significantly diminish the signal.
Each submitted strip tube or plate must be clearly labeled so that the order of samples and domain account name of the user are legible. We recommend the user labeling strip tubes as indicated below using an indelible smudge-free pen, such as VWR Lab Marker. If the full name of your account cannot be written, do not worry, as we will be able to recognize user account name by looking at your user profile from the web signup. We do not need any other information - everything else is available in your user profile. Please always label the tubes and not the caps. The caps will be removed upon placement in the machine and the proper orientation can be lost.
Samples must be dropped off at the Sequencing Facility before 5pm of the loading day.
Data Retrieval
Sequence data from each sample are in a proprietary-format file containing a four-color electropherogram. The files also contain various information regarding the strength of the signal, sequence data in text format, etc. Once the samples have been analyzed, the resulting data files are transferred to the user’s folder.
Usually, the sequenced data will be put in your folder within 17 hours. This folder is only a temporary storage place – please move the data to your own permanent storage within 24 hours of receiving it, and then erase it from your folder. Data left in users' folders longer than a week may be removed without backup or warning.
Getting your files from the server:
This method can be used from a computer in Biolabs, Fairchild, or Bauer
PC:
On your desktop, right-click "My Computer"
Click on Tools, Map Network Drive
Accept whatever drive letter appears
In the folder field, type: \\titan2\dna or \\titan2.mcb.harvard.edu\dna
Scroll for your folder and click <Finish>
Your folder should open on your desktop.
Drag your files from this folder to your local drive
(it’s wise also to make a backup onto other media).
Verify that the local copies of the files are readable.
Drag the files on the server to the recycle bin and empty it.
Mac:
This only works for OS X 10.3.9 and above.
Hit Apple-K, then enter: smb://titan2.mcb.harvard.edu/dna
Scroll for your folder.
A server volume icon with Microsoft’s logo should appear on your desktop.
Double-click to open it, and drag your sequencing files to your local drive
(it’s wise also to make a backup onto other media).
Verify that the local copies of the files are readable
Drag the files on the server to the trash and empty trash.
Getting your files from the ftp site:
This method can be used from any computer with an internet connection.
You will need to use your CGR or MCB username and password to authenticate.
Point your web browser to ftp://www.mcb.harvard.edu/dna
Scroll for your folder.
Drag your files from this folder to your local computer.
(it’s wise also to make a backup onto other media).