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The Overview Dashboard displays summary information about the current activity in the lab. It provides lab managers with at-a-glance information about workflow, sample status, and alerts across projects. The dashboard is dynamic and updates automatically as changes occur in the lab.
By default, the system administrator and facility administrator roles have access to the Overview Dashboard. However, access is a configurable role-based permission. For details, see Configured Role-Based Permissions.
The Overall Status bar provides a snapshot of lab activity.
Projects—The number of open and pending projects currently in Clarity LIMS. This number does not include closed projects.
Samples—The number of samples in open and pending projects.
Workflows—The number of workflows in which the samples are currently being worked through in the lab.
Alerts—The number of unresolved alerts in the system. To trigger alerts, select Request manager review as the next step for a sample (in the Assign Next Steps screen).
This section shows information for the lab workflows that currently have samples uploaded to them. Workflows are listed in alphabetical order.
For each workflow, the following information is shown:
Projects—The total number of projects containing samples that are currently in the workflow. This number includes samples that are in progress in the workflow and samples that have completed the workflow.
In progress samples—The number of samples that are currently in progress in the workflow.
Completed samples—The number of samples that have completed the workflow.
Protocols—The names of the protocols that are included in the workflow.
Samples—The number of samples in each protocol of that workflow.
If configuring the sample capacity of a protocol (see #configure-protocols), Clarity LIMS uses color coding to indicate the percentage of the protocol capacity that is being used.
The percentage of capacity is calculated according to the total number of samples that are currently assigned to all occurrences of the protocol (ie, across all workflows).
Blue indicates that the number of samples currently in the protocol is less than or equal to the configured capacity.
Yellow indicates that the number of samples currently in the protocol is between 100% - 200% of the configured capacity.
Orange indicates that the number of samples currently in the protocol is greater than 200% of the configured capacity.
While the protocol for a particular workflow may have few, or even zero, samples assigned to it, its capacity might still display in yellow or orange. This display would occur if the number of samples in other occurrences of the protocol exceeds its configured capacity.
Hover over a protocol to view more information about its configured capacity and the total number of samples assigned to it.
The Dashboards, Projects & Samples, and Lab View screens facilitate the day-to-day tasks of the lab manager and lab scientist.
Overview Dashboard—Provides summary information about lab activity. Use this dashboard to view workflow status, sample status, and alerts.
Projects Dashboard—Provides a dynamic view of current lab activity. Use this dashboard to help manage projects and the flow of samples through the lab.
This topic provides guidelines and tips to help you compile a sample list, in Microsoft Excel format, for importing into BaseSpace Clarity LIMS.
Import up 3456 samples from a single sample list file. To import more than 3456 samples, divide the samples into multiple files.
If an error is detected in the spreadsheet, the import process aborts. No sample imports until the error condition is resolved. See #troubleshooting.
An asterisk indicates a *mandatory field.
Regular font, without an asterisk, indicates an optional field. See #optional-fields for details.
Text enclosed in angle brackets indicates a placeholder custom field name to replace with a value.
Italicized text indicates a group of fields that depend on each other. All headers in the group must be either all present or all absent.
The following column headers can be used in the sample list:
*Sample/Name—Specify the name of the sample. If the system has the unique sample name option enabled and there are duplicate sample names in the spreadsheet, expect an error message. The message provides information on this error condition. No sample is imported until duplicate names are resolved.
Sample/Volume—Specify the volume of the sample.
Container/Type—Specify the name of the container type to use for this sample. When specifying a value for this column, verify it exists in the system already. For instance, you can specify 100 well MALDI plate as a value, provided this container type is configured in the system.
Container/Name—Specify the name of the container to place this sample. If the name does not match a container already in the system, a new container by this name (and of the specified type) is created.
Sample/Well Location—Specify the well location for the sample. Values for this column are formatted like the following examples: A:1, B:12, or 1:10.
The import process validates this location against the container type specified. If the location is out of range, the process rejects it. If placing a sample into an existing container, the process checks if the well location is already occupied and rejects it if occupied.
Sample/Reagent Label—Specify the reagent label name to use for this sample. Values for this column are optional. They can exist in the system or, if the reagent label is not found, a new one is created. Only one reagent label is supported per sample via batch sample import.
Custom Field/<Name of Custom Field>—Add a custom field instance to the sample. The name of the custom field must exist in the system. If the custom field name specified is not in the system, an error message displays.
You can specify a value for this custom field in the remaining cells of this column. For example, if there is a custom field by the name Clinical Source, you may have a column header Custom Field/Clinical Source and a value of hospital for the sample. See #optional-fields for details.
Container/Custom Field/<Name of Custom Field>—Add a custom field instance to container. This field functions in a similar way to the sample custom field previously described, except the values must be defined on each row (per container). If not, an error message displays.
Take Custom Field as an example. Its optional nature in the spreadsheet is contingent on whether a particular field is defined as optional or required in Clarity LIMS.
If there is a required custom field for a sample, there must be a column in the spreadsheet for this field. A value must be specified for it, before any sample can be imported.
Custom field values are validated against their type defined in Clarity LIMS, as follows.
Date type—For example, if there is a custom field type of Date and the name is Completion Date, the best practice method is to have a column header Custom Field/Completion Date. The remaining values for the cells in the file should be formatted using one of the Excel date formats.
Numeric type with a range defined—The value is first validated as a number. Then, the number is validated against the range defined in Clarity LIMS.
If the validation fails, error messages display.
No sample is imported until the value is validated.
Custom field with values defined in a group of defaults—If a custom field is configured to have one or more values defined in a group of defaults and is only allowed to have one of these defined values, Clarity LIMS validates the value entered against the defined values.
If the value in the spreadsheet does not match one of the default values, validation fails.
If the validation fails, an error message displays. No sample is imported.
If Clarity LIMS expects certain information to be provided and this information is not included in the sample list, the samples are not imported.
Consider the following examples:
If an option or field is mandatory, the sample list must contain a column to capture that information. The sample list must use the appropriate column title.
If the samples must contain unique names, the sample list must not contain duplicate names or the names of samples already recorded in Clarity LIMS.
Containers types referenced in the sample list must already be defined in Clarity LIMS. For example, 96-well plate or tube.
The sample list must not place a sample into a container well that is already populated with another sample.
Any custom fields referenced in the sample list must be defined in Clarity LIMS.
Projects section of the Clarity LIMS Documentation discuss how to create and work with projects.
Clarity LIMS uses projects as the basis for all work performed in the system. All samples must be added to an existing project.
A project stores the following information:
The client and account associated with the project.
The priority of the project (Low, Standard, High).
The samples submitted to the project.
Project status (Pending, Open, Closed).
The date the project was opened and closed.
Files associated with the project.
Any configured custom fields.
Before adding samples to Clarity LIMS, create a project to store them.
By default, you can create projects. However, this role-based permission is configurable. For details, see Configured Role-Based Permissions.
On the Projects and Samples tab, select New Project.
On the Properties tab, in the Project Details section, complete the following tasks:
Type a descriptive name for the project.
If creating a new account, type the name directly into the field. Otherwise, select an existing account from the drop-down list.
If creating a new client, type the name directly into the field. Otherwise, select an existing client from the drop-down list.
By default, the project opened date is set to the current date. To change this date, select the Opened field and select a date from the calendar.
If necessary, edit the project priority. The default is Standard.
On the Custom Fields tab, complete the additional details for this project. Mandatory fields are indicated with yellow shading.
[Optional] To upload a file to the project:
Select the Files tab, then select Upload File.
Select Choose File, browse for and select the file, and select Upload.
Select Save. The new project displays in the Projects list. Samples can now be added.
To view, modify, or delete a project, complete the following steps:
Navigate to the Projects and Samples tab.
In the Projects list, select the project. The Project Details screen displays the details for the selected project.
To modify project details, select the field and edit as required (see Project Creation).
Select Save.
To delete the project, select Delete.
Before deleting a project, consider the following details:
Deleting a project also deletes any samples it contains.
By default, projects can be deleted provided no work has been recorded (or is in progress) on the samples. However, this role-based permission is configurable.
If the samples contained in a project have recorded or in-progress protocol steps, the project cannot be deleted without special user permissions.
For information on role-based permissions, see Configured Role-Based Permissions.
To view and update the project status, complete the following steps:
Navigate to the Projects and Samples tab.
In the Projects list, select a project.
On the Properties tab in the Project Details area, the Status slider indicates the status of the project.
To move the slider and change the project status, select the desired status.
To view and modify custom fields, complete the following steps:
Navigate to the Projects and Samples tab.
In the Projects list, select a project.
In the Project Details area, navigate to the Custom Fields tab.
Select a field to modify and edit as required (see #create-projects).
Select Save.
To download, view, and upload project files, complete the following steps:
Navigate to the Projects and Samples tab.
In the Projects list, select a project.
In the Project Details area, navigate to the Files tab. Files currently associated with the project are displayed.
To download and view a project file, select the file.
To upload a file:
a. Select Upload File.
b. Select Choose File.
c. Browse for the file, select it, and select Upload.
See #project-automation on how to configure Project Automation.
When working on a step, you can create multiple aliquots of each sample, move one aliquot to the next step in the workflow, and store the others for later use.
Add samples to the Ice Bucket.
In the Ice Bucket, create the required number of sample aliquots.
To create the same number of aliquots for all samples, select the number of derivatives to create and select Apply All. (The number adjacent to each sample updates automatically.)
To create a different number of aliquots for each individual sample, adjust the number adjacent to each sample.
In the Assign Next Steps screen, all the sample aliquots are listed.
To store an aliquot for later use, select Store for later from the next step drop-down list.
In the Search drop-down list, select Sample, type the sample name, and press the Enter key.
In the search results, all the sample aliquots are listed.
Select a sample aliquot to expand the details.
A prompt appears to confirm this step.
Select Confirm.
After it is confirmed, the search results update and the sample are shown as queued for the next step in the workflow.
In Lab View, the sample aliquot is now ready to be worked on.
The Projects dashboard helps with managing projects and the day-to-day flow of samples through the lab. This dashboard provides a dynamic, project-centric view of current lab activity. It allows for the management of projects and the day-to-day flow of samples through the lab.
The Overall Status bar provides a snapshot of current lab activity.
Projects—The number of open and pending projects currently in Clarity LIMS. This number does not include closed projects.
Samples—The number of samples in open and pending projects.
Workflows—The number of workflows in which the samples are currently being worked through in the lab.
Alerts—The number of unresolved alerts in the system. To trigger alerts, select Request manager review as the next step for a sample (in the Assign Next Steps screen).
Additional information provides a snapshot summary of projects and samples, including the workflows to which samples are assigned.
No Workflow Assigned
The number of projects containing samples that do not have a workflow assigned to them.
The number of samples that do not have a workflow assigned to them.
In Progress
The number of projects containing samples that are in progress and being worked on in the lab.
The number of samples that are in progress and being worked on in the lab.
Workflow Complete
The number of projects in which all samples have completed all workflows assigned to them.
The number of samples that have completed all workflows assigned to them.
By default, all open projects display in the Projects table and are sorted by creation date (most recent first).
Select any project in the table to view its details on the right.
Projects that have unresolved alerts display an icon in the upper-right corner.
The Projects table allows filtering to display projects that meet certain criteria.
The drop-down list provides several filters. Consider filtering for the following use cases:
Completed projects—Prepare data and invoices to be sent to clients.
Projects containing samples that do not have a workflow assigned to them—Find the projects containing these samples, assign workflows to the samples, and start working on them in the lab.
Projects assigned to a particular workflow or to a particular project—View and manage their progress in the lab. In this case, type the workflow/project name into the filter box and press the Enter key.
Select a project to display summary information about the workflows and samples related to that project. The summary includes the following information:
The number of samples in the project that have not been assigned a workflow.
The workflows to which samples in the project are assigned. If needed, scroll to see all the workflows.
The number of samples involved in each workflow.
Any unresolved alerts in the project. Select the alert to view and resolve it.
The project completion percentage.
Below the Projects table and summary, the workflows for the selected project are listed.
Directly under each workflow name, the number of in-progress and completed samples currently in the workflow.
Select In-progress samples to view all in-progress samples across all protocols in the Samples table.
Select the Completed samples count to view those completed samples in the Samples table.
To the right of the workflow name, select the arrow.
The expanded workflow details area shows the following information:
All protocols included in the workflow, and the number of samples in each of those protocols.
The percentage of project samples currently assigned to each protocol (represented by blue shading). Hover over the shading to see this percentage. The percentage is derived from the number of samples in the protocol divided by the total number of samples in the workflow.
Select a protocol to see the steps it includes and the samples assigned to those steps.
Select a protocol to see the following information display in the Samples table:
The steps included in the protocol, and the submitted and derived samples that are in each of those steps.
The sample name and the first three sample custom fields.
In the Samples table, the following features are available:
View Alerts—Select an alert to go to the step in which the manager review was requested.
Run automations on derived samples directly from the Samples table.
Select one or more derived samples (Ctrl + click to select multiple).
In the upper-right corner of the Samples table, expand the drop-down list and select an automation.
If the automation requires input, a prompt to enter a value displays. Enter a value and select Continue.
NOTE: If the parameter name is truncated, hover over it to view the full name.
As the automation runs, the status is shown in the samples list.
Projects and Samples —Allows for project and sample management. Use this screen to create and manage , , and .
When you add samples to Clarity LIMS, you must add them to a project. Clarity LIMS uses projects as the basis for all work performed in the system.
There are two ways to add samples to projects:
Add samples individually to one or more projects. See .
Upload a sample list (Excel spreadsheet) to a project. See .
The Sample Management screen allows for convenient sample accessioning. On this screen, add multiple samples to a single project or to multiple projects, and modify samples already added to the system.
There are two ways to access the Sample Management screen:
The main menu bar, which allows for adding samples to one project or to multiple projects.
The Project and Samples tab, which allows for adding samples to a project or modifying samples already added to a project.
On the main menu bar, hover over Projects and Samples tab and select Add Samples when the option displays.
In the Sample Management screen, select a project from the Project Name drop-down list. This selection auto-populates the fields in the Project Details area.
Edit the project details if necessary.
To upload files to the project, select Upload File.
In the Sample Details area, provide the following information:
Enter the name of the sample.
Choose a container from the drop-down list.
Enter the container name.
Complete any other applicable fields (mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk).
NOTE: LIMS ID (Submitted Sample), Date Submitted, and LIMS ID (Container) fields are automatically populated after the sample is saved.
To upload sample files, select Upload File at the bottom of the Sample Details section.
To add another sample, select Sample +. Add this sample to the same project or select a different project from the Project Name drop-down list.
Repeat steps 3 to 5 as required.
When all samples are added, select Submit Samples. Clarity LIMS validates, saves the samples, and returns to the Project and Samples tab.
On the Project and Samples tab, the projects with recently added samples are automatically selected.
While adding samples, note the following details:
Copy values across to adjacent samples by selecting the arrows to the left of the fields. Clarity LIMS automatically populates the Well field.
If editing well information, make those changes last (before submitting the samples). Changes to Container, Container Name, LIMS ID (Container), and Sample Name may reorder the well locations.
Use the paging buttons to scroll pages of samples.
In this method, only add samples to the project selected. It is not possible to select a different project as described in the previous section of the documentation.
On the Project and Samples tab, select a project to add samples.
In the Submit Samples section, select Add Samples.
On the Sample Management screen, because the project has already been specified, the project details are automatically completed.
Follow steps 3 to 7 of the previous section to add the sample details.
On the Project and Samples tab, select a project to add samples.
In the samples list, select the submitted samples to modify (derived samples cannot be modified).
Select Modify Samples.
Modify the sample and project details as required (the Project Name or Container Name fields cannot be modified).
To save the changes, select Submit Samples.
Clarity LIMS validates the modifications, saves the samples, and returns to the Project and Samples tab. On the Project and Samples tab, the projects containing the modified samples are automatically selected.
On the Sample Management screen, hovering over a sample displays a small Remove from view (X) button in the upper-right corner.
The effects of selecting this button differ depending on the circumstances.
If there are many samples to process, add them to the system by uploading a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file (*.xls or *.xlsx). Use the same method to modify information for multiple samples.
By default, a maximum of 3456 samples can be uploaded from a single sample list file. To upload more than 3456 samples, divide the samples into multiple files.
Navigate to the Projects and Samples tab.
In the Projects list, select a project to add samples. The Project Details area updates to show the details for the selected project.
Select Upload Sample List.
In the Upload File dialog, select Choose File and browse to and open the sample list file.
Select Upload File.
As part of the upload process, Clarity LIMS validates the file to make sure the custom field data it contains meet the requirements, presets, and restrictions that apply to submitted samples. If the file contains invalid data, an error message displays.
When the upload process completes, the samples display in the Submitted Samples list for the project.
The Submitted Samples list allows the following actions:
Hover over the Information icon for a sample to view the details associated with it.
Modify sample details.
Add samples to a workflow.
If samples have been created in error, delete them from the sample list and the project (provided no work has been done on them). To complete this action, select the samples and select Delete.
After uploading, the submitted samples can be assigned to a workflow. When they are assigned, the samples are available for lab scientists to work on.
Navigate to the Projects and Samples tab.
In the Projects list, select the project containing the samples to modify.
Select Modify Samples.
Clarity LIMS generates a sample list containing all samples in the project and downloads it.
Open the file in Excel. It contains the Clarity LIMS IDs of all samples and all custom field data.
Update the sample information as required.
A sample list can be uploaded/imported in which custom field values have been changed, removed, or added.
While sample custom fields can only be updated, the sample list can contain other columns of data. The original data from the sample list does not have to be removed.
If the system does not require the custom field, leave the cell blank or enter NULL.
A ‘blank’ value will leave existing data in the system intact.
A NULL value will clear any existing data in the system for that field.
Clarity LIMS uses the information defined in the sample list (sample name, container type, and so on) and looks for matching samples in the project. If a matching sample is found, the system updates the sample with the values specified in the sample list.
Lab View is the main screen in Clarity LIMS.
Lab View shows the protocols and steps used in the lab, and the number of samples queued for each step. Use this screen to do the following:
See recent lab activities.
See in-progress steps and steps that are ready to be worked on.
Start or continue working on samples.
View and follow up on .
When users run a step in the LIMS, they typically select a destination container type from a preconfigured list in the Ice Bucket screen, and then proceed to the Record Details screen - where they scan the barcode of a new container to add it to the LIMS.
However, users may sometimes want to place samples into an existing container - that is, a container whose barcode has already been entered into the LIMS. This is easily achieved in the Ice Bucket screen.
In Lab View, open the step containing the samples you want to place into an existing container.
Select the samples and add them to the Ice Bucket.
In the Ice Bucket screen, in the Container Options panel:
In the Destination Container drop-down list, select the desired container type.
In the Find Existing Container field, type the name or Clarity LIMS ID of the container in which to place the samples. While typing, Clarity LIMS presents a filtered list of containers with matching names or Clarity LIMS IDs. Select the appropriate container from the list.
Click Begin Work to proceed to the Record Details screen.
Occasionally, you must remove samples from a workflow queue in Clarity LIMS. Only administrator users can perform this operation.
In Clarity LIMS, open the step containing the samples to remove.
Select one or more samples, expand the Options drop-down list and select Remove.
The Options drop-down list is available to administrator users only.
If necessary, complete the following actions:
Search for the samples in Clarity LIMS.
Requeue them for a previous step.
Usually, samples move through the system according to the sequence of protocols and steps defined in a workflow.
However, sometimes samples are moved into the next step manually.
In Clarity LIMS, open the step containing the samples to move.
Select one or more samples, expand the Options drop-down list and select Move.
The samples move into the subsequent step in the protocol.
The following tables summarize the expected results when choosing next steps for these three output types.
Samples must be assigned to an active workflow before they can be accessed and worked on from .
On the main menu, navigate to the Projects and Samples tab.
In the Projects list, select the project containing the desired samples.
In the Samples and Workflow Assignment area, the Submitted Samples and Derived Samples tabs list all the samples included in the project. Select the tab that lists the desired samples. If no work has been performed on the samples, no derived samples are listed.
In the chosen samples list, select the samples to be assigned to a workflow. Use the following methods to select or deselect samples:
Select a group to select all samples in the group (the button label changes to Deselect Group).
Expand the group and select samples to add them individually. Use Shift + select to select multiple adjacent samples or Ctrl + select to select multiple nonadjacent samples.
To deselect samples, select them or select Deselect Group to deselect all samples in the group.
When finished selecting samples, select Assign To Workflow and select the desired workflow from the drop-down list.
The list displays all the workflows that are currently active in the system.
In the samples list, a label displays showing the samples that are now assigned to a workflow. Select the X inside a label to remove that sample from the workflow.
In the Workflows area on the right, the number of samples assigned to the workflow displays. Select the X in the upper-right corner to remove all samples from the workflow.
Repeat steps 3 to 6 to assign other samples to workflows, as required.
Assigned samples now display in Lab View, in the Available Work area, listed under the first protocol step of the selected workflow.
To locate samples in the queue quickly, filter on the sample name.
By default, anyone signed in can remove or unassign samples from a workflow, provided no work has been recorded (or is in progress) in that workflow for those samples. However, this role-based permission is configurable. If the samples have recorded protocol steps or are in progress in the workflow, they cannot be removed from it without special user permissions. For details, see .
As lab scientists work with samples in the lab, they may request a manager to review a sample at a certain step in the workflow. When a request for review occurs, an alert notification displays in Lab View, in the Recent Activities area.
In Lab View, in the Recent Activities area, select an alert to go directly to the step containing the sample to be reviewed.
Review the sample, add a comment, and select Finish Review.
NOTE: You can also view and resolve alerts from
To requeue and rework samples, specific role-based permissions are required. For details, see .
Occasionally, a sample must be rerun through a particular step. For example, there may have been a technical error in the lab. More sequencing may be needed at the end of a workflow if there are not enough samples.
To solve this problem, return samples to the queue and repeat the step.
There are several ways to requeue samples:
Search for the step with samples to requeue, view all samples that have completed this step, and choose the ones to requeue. See
Search for a specific sample to requeue. See
In addition to requeueing samples for the same step, you can also rework samples from a previous step. For example, an action is needed if there is an insufficient quantity of a particular sample to meet the required target concentration level.
If a sample has been flagged for manager review, the manager can select Rework from an earlier step directly from the Review Samples screen.
Steps & Master Steps section of the LIMS Documentation explain how to create and configure steps and master steps in the LIMS.
In Clarity LIMS, steps and master steps are techniques or procedures that are performed on a sample. They are the building blocks of the lab work.
Think of master steps as starting points to create the individual steps that are run in the lab.
The master step <--> step relationship is one to many:
Each step is derived from a master step.
A master step may be used as the foundation for multiple steps.
All steps are derived from a master step and inherit any properties configured on the master step.
If you configure properties at the step level, those properties only apply to that particular step.
To understand how properties set on the master step propagate down to the step level, see .
To access the Lab Work tab and configure workflows, protocols, steps, and master steps, the Configuration:update permission is required. By default, only the Administrator role has this permission. For details, see and .
In Clarity LIMS, all steps are derived from a master step and inherit any properties configured on the master step.
The rules for how properties set on the master step propagate down to the step level apply to all properties. Those configured on the Master Step Settings configuration form and those configured on the .
By default, master step properties are not set (values are null). Therefore, by default, the property settings do not propagate down to the derived steps. This means that you can set, or not set, the property freely at the step level.
If you set a property on the master step, that property is locked (a Locked icon displays) at the step level, and cannot be modified.
In some situations, you can add to or reorder a locked property at the step level, but you can never remove the property. For example, on the Step Settings form:
You can add and reorder the column headers that display in the Sample table, even if some of those column headers are set on the master step.
You cannot remove column headers that are set on the master step.
When you add a master step property setting, the setting is also added to all steps derived from that master step.
When you update a master step property setting, the setting is also updated on all steps derived from that master step. This overrides any previous values that had been applied at the Protocol Step level.
When you remove a master step property setting, the setting is also removed from all steps derived from that master step. There are a few exceptions to this rule where appropriate defaults must be applied to keep the step in a valid, workable state.
The following table summarizes what happens at the step level when a property setting is removed from the master step.
In Clarity LIMS, steps are categorized by type, where each type is based on the requirements and goals of the step, and the outputs generated by the step. Some step types have unique interfaces and properties designed to perform specific tasks, such as adding reagent labels or pooling samples.
The step type is also displayed on the Step Settings configuration form, but as a read-only property.
All step types must have a submitted sample or derived sample input, and may generate either derived sample outputs, measurement outputs, or no outputs.
Keep in mind that only one output type is permitted. A step cannot generate both a derived sample and a measurement output. The type of step you choose determines which output generation options display. For example:
Selecting the Standard step type only displays settings for derived sample generation.
Selecting the Standard QC step type only displays settings for measurement generation.
Selecting the No Outputs step type only displays settings for no output generation.
The type of step you choose also enables or disables certain functionality downstream. For example:
Selecting the Pooling step type displays the Pooling screen when the step is run, allowing the ability to create pools of samples. Choosing this step type allows you to configure the number of aliquots used to generate the pools.
Selecting the Add Labels step type displays the Add Labels screen when the step is run, allowing the ability to configure reagent label format options.
When creating a master step, you must choose a step type.
When you have saved a master step configuration:
Step type cannot be changed.
The number of outputs generated can be adjusted, or switch from a fixed number to a variable number (Standard, Standard QC, Add Labels, Pooling, Analysis step types).
The following step types are available in Clarity LIMS:
Standard steps can have a fixed or variable ratio of samples entering the step to derived samples being generated from the step. After saving, you can switch between fixed and variable.
Default step output: By default, this step type generates one derived sample for every sample tracked in the step.
Downstream functionality: Choosing this step type disables the Pooling and Add Labels screens. Derived sample outputs require placement.
Example steps of this type: Library Normalization, Fragment DNA
Standard QC steps may be included in QC protocols, and may also be included as inline QC steps in other protocol types.
Standard QC steps generate sample measurements, which can have a Fixed or Variable ratio of samples entering the step to measurements being generated.
Default step output: By default, this step type generates one measurement for every sample tracked in the step.
Downstream functionality: Choosing this step type disables the Pooling and Add Labels screens. You may configure a QC step to display or not display the Placement screen.
Example steps of this type: Bioanalyzer QC, NanoDrop QC, Qubit QC
The No Outputs step type does not generate any outputs. You can use this step type for sorting steps or for aggregate QC steps.
Default step output: This step type does not generate any outputs. (This is not configurable.)
QC aggregation is the final step in a QC protocol. This step aggregates the data from the previous Standard QC steps to determine the overall quality of the samples. At the end of the step, samples either pass QC and proceed to the next protocol, or fail QC and are rerun or removed from the workflow.
At least one aggregate QC step is required in QC protocols.
At a minimum, one Standard QC step must be run before QC aggregation can occur.
Downstream functionality: Choosing this step type disables the Pooling, Placement, and Add Labels screens.
Example steps of this type: Aggregate QC (DNA), Aggregate QC (RNA), Aggregate QC (Library Validation)
This step type is used to apply a reagent label (or molecular barcode) to each sample entering the step. It may be run on multiple tubes and on multiple plates. Running an Add Labels step allows for a permanent reagent label to be added to each sample. The label data appears while running the step, in a new column in the Sample Data table on the Record Details screen.
Add Labels steps generate derived samples, which can have a Fixed or Variable ratio of samples entering the step to derived samples being generated.
Default step output: By default, this step type generates one labeled derived sample for every sample that enters the step.
Downstream functionality: Choosing this step type disables the Pooling screen and enables the Add Labels screen.
Example steps of this type: Add Multiple Reagents, Adenylate Ends and Ligate Adapters, PCR Amplification.
This step type allows for multiple samples to be pooled into a single sample/container for sequencing efficiency. The number of pools is determined while running the step. Samples typically have a label, which is used to differentiate each sample at the demultiplexing stage.
Pooling steps generate pools that are created from a Fixed or Variable number of aliquots.
Default step output: By default, for every sample that enters the step, one aliquot is used to generate pools.
Downstream functionality: Choosing this step type disables the Add Labels screen and enables the Pooling screen.
The number of pools is determined on the Pooling screen.
By default, users are prevented from pooling samples without labels or with identical labels. You can modify this on the Pooling Settings configuration screen.
Example steps of this type: Pool Samples
Analysis steps allow data to be manipulated by scripts, for example, they may be used to trigger secondary analysis or import data post analysis.
Analysis steps behave similarly to Standard QC steps and generate sample measurements. They can have a Fixed or Variable ratio of samples entering the step to measurements being generated.
Default step output: By default, this step type generates one measurement for every sample that enters the step.
Downstream functionality: Choosing this step type disables the Pooling, Placement, and Add Labels screens.
Example steps of this type: Sample History Report, Process Summary Report
This is essentially an Analysis step that deals specifically with labeled samples. It separates pools of samples based on the label assigned to those samples.
Demultiplexing steps have a Fixed ratio of samples entering the step to measurements being generated.
Default step output: By default, this step type generates one measurement for every sample that enters the step.
Downstream functionality: Because samples are placed automatically by a script configured on the step, choosing this step type disables the Placement screen. Choosing this step type also disables the Pooling and Add Labels screens.
Example steps of this type: BCL Conversion and Demultiplexing.
Clarity LIMS includes preconfigured steps and master steps designed to support established lab processes. You can create additional steps and master steps to represent the procedures that are specific to your lab. There are two approaches:
Create steps based on the preconfigured master steps. The steps you create inherit the properties of the configured master steps, and you can then set additional properties on the steps themselves.
Create master steps, and then use them as the foundations on which to create your steps.
You can add the steps to protocols and workflows so that lab scientists can work with them in Lab View.
The Lab Work screen provides an at-a-glance view of all steps and master steps configured in the LIMS, along with the protocols and workflows in which they are included.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
On the LIMS configuration screen, select the Lab Work tab.
The Workflow, Protocol, Step, and Master Step navigation panel displays. This lists the workflows, protocols, steps, and master steps configured in the LIMS.
In the Master Steps list, select a master step to highlight it:
The Steps list updates, highlighting the steps derived from the selected master step.
If multiple steps are derived from the same master step, the Master Steps list includes duplicate rows, each mapping to a different step, and each representing the same master step. All of these rows are highlighted.
The Protocols list updates, highlighting all the protocols that contain the highlighted steps.
The Workflows list updates, highlighting all workflows that include the highlighted protocols.
In the Steps list, select a step to highlight it: The Master Steps list updates, highlighting the master step on which the selected step is based. If multiple steps are derived from the same master step, the Master Steps list includes duplicate rows, each mapping to a different step, and each representing the same master step. All of these rows are highlighted.
The Protocols list updates, highlighting the protocol that contains the selected step.
The Workflows list updates, highlighting all of the workflows that include the highlighted protocols.
Below the main navigation panel, the step and master step configuration forms display.
Select these tabs to switch between the forms and see which settings are configured on the step and which are configured on the underlying master step.
Table 1 shows which settings must be configured on the master step and which may be configured on the master step or on the step.
Settings configured on the master step are locked at the step level. On the step configuration form, these settings display with a Locked icon.
Table 1: Master Step and Step Settings
On the Lab Work configuration screen, in the upper-right corner of the Master Steps list, select Add.
Below the main navigation panel, the master step configuration form displays.
To begin, type a name for your new master step.
Select Save to save your master step configuration.
When adding a master step, keep the following in mind:
Each step is created from a master step. You can create multiple steps from the same master step.
Any settings you configure on the master step are inherited by all steps derived from that master step.
The following sections describe the settings available when configuring a master step. Note the following:
Any settings saved as part of the master step configuration cannot be configured at step level. On the step configuration form, these settings display with a Locked icon.
Some settings may be configured at the step level, as indicated in Table 1.
The master step configuration form does not show the default setting values (this includes toggle switches).
Step types are configured on master steps.
Steps are categorized by step type, where each type is based on the requirements and goals of the step, and the output generated by the step (derived samples, measurements, or aliquots).
The step type is set on the master step, and all steps inherit the step type of the master step on which they are based. After you have chosen a step type and have saved it as part of a master step configuration, you cannot change it.
The step type you choose determines which step milestones are available for configuration.
Configured on master step.
A step may generate a derived sample output, a measurement output, an aliquot output, or no output.
The type of step you choose determines which output generation options are available. Usually, you may choose to keep the default setting or modify the output generation configuration.
Configured on master step.
By default, the name of the outputs generated by a step follows the naming pattern of the inputs to the step.
You can use tokens to configure the naming convention so that it resolves to other unique attributes of the output. These tokens function as placeholders that are replaced with actual values at run time. For example, for the Standard step type, the default naming convention resolves to the value of the {InputItemName} token.
The following table lists the default naming conventions for each of the step types.
Table 2: Default Naming Conventions for Step Types
To add a token:
Copy the token you want to use from the Tokens list and paste it into the Naming Convention field. If using multiple tokens, add a space between each entry.
Below the Naming Convention field, you can see a preview of how one or more tokens resolve. Some runtime-specific items, such as dates and times, do not preview exactly as they resolve at run time.
Automations are enabled on master step. Automation triggers may be set on master step or step.
A master step can be configured to update sample fields, assign QC flags, generate files, and submit files and command-line parameters to third-party programs, using automations and the Rapid Scripting API.
When you have configured an automation, you can enable it on one or more master steps and set its trigger location and style.
You can enable automations on master steps in two configuration areas of the LIMS:
On the Automations tab, when adding/configuring an automation.
On the master step configuration form.
After it is enabled on a master step, the automation becomes available for use on all steps derived from that master step.
You can set the trigger location and trigger style for an automation on the master step, or on the steps derived from that master step:
On the master step—In this case, all steps derived from the master step inherit the automation and the trigger settings.
On the steps derived from the master step—In this case, all steps inherit the automation from the master step, but you can configure different trigger settings for each step, if necessary.
To enable an automation on a master step:
In the Automation section, click the Automation configuration screen link. The Automation configuration screen opens, with the Step Automation tab active.
In the Automation Use section, select inside the Enable on the Master Steps field and select the master step on which to enable the automation. (If you make a mistake, select the X button to remove a master step from the field.)
Select Save.
Return to the master step configuration form. The automations are listed alphanumerically by name.
To set an automation trigger on a master step (or step):
In the Trigger Location drop-down list, select the stage of the step at which to enable the automation.
The list displays all available stages of the step from which the automation can be triggered.
Only valid options for the step are displayed, for example, the Pooling option only displays on Pooling steps, the Step Setup option only displays for steps on which the Step Setup screen is enabled.
To ensure sequence of execution, only one automation can be associated with each trigger location.
In the Trigger Style drop-down list, select how to initiate the automation. For example, automatically on entry to or exit from the screen or manually when a button is selected on the screen.
The trigger location and style are saved with the automation configuration.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to configure triggers for each automation added.
Save the automation configuration.
Configured on master step or step.
You can specify the instrument/equipment types that may be used in a step. You can do this on the master step or at the step level. At run time, on the Record Details screen, the lab scientist selects from a list of instruments/equipment of that type.
Note also that instrument type/master step configuration is bidirectional - when adding an instrument type, you can select master steps to associate with that instrument type.
To enable an instrument type on a master step (or step):
In the Instrument Types section, select Add.
At the right of the screen, a list of instrument/equipment types displays. Select one or more instrument/equipment types and select the checkmark button.
The instrument/equipment types are added to the master step/step configuration.
If necessary, you can remove an instrument type by clicking the X button.
Step configuration form only: You can reorder instrument types by dragging and dropping them. The order is reflected on the step Record Details screen, in the Instrument selection drop-down list.
Save the master step/step.
Configured on master step or step.
You can specify the reagent kits that may be used in a step. You can do this on the master step or at the step level.
Configuring reagent kits on the step/master step enables reagent lot tracking on the Record Details screen at run time.
Note also that reagent kit/master step configuration is bidirectional—when adding a reagent kit, you can select master steps to associate with that kit.
To enable a reagent kit on a master step (or step):
In the Reagent Kits section, select Add.
The reagent kits are added to the master step/step configuration.
If necessary, you can remove a reagent kit by clicking the X button.
Save the master step/step.
Configured on step.
You can specify the control types that may be used in a step. This is done at the step level.
Selected controls are then available to add to the Ice Bucket when running the step.
Note also that control type/step configuration is bidirectional—when adding a control type, you can select the steps to be associated with it.
To enable a control type on a step:
In the Control Types section, select Add.
At the right of the screen, a list of control types displays. Select one or more control types and select the checkmark. The control types are added to the step configuration.
Remove a control type by clicking the X button.
Save the step.
Configured on master step or step.
When running samples through steps in the LIMS, each screen displayed represents a specific stage, or 'milestone' of the step.
Some screens display on all steps, while others only display on certain step types.
When adding steps to the LIMS, first select a protocol to include the new step, and a master step on which to base it. The new step inherits all settings configured on the master step.
To add a new step:
On the Lab Work configuration screen, in the Protocols list, select the protocol in which to add the new step.
In the upper-right corner of the Steps list, select Add.
Below the main navigation panel, the step configuration form displays.
Type a name for the new step.
In the adjacent Master Steps list, select the master step upon which to base the new step.
If creating a step within a QC protocol, the Master Steps list only displays master steps that are Standard QC and Aggregate QC step types.
Select Save (this button is not enabled until a master step is selected).
In the Protocols list, select the protocol again.
The step added displays at the top of the Steps list.
The '1' indicates that this is the first step in the protocol. (QC protocol steps are not numbered as they are typically not sequential.)
In the Master Steps list, the master step upon which the step is based is also highlighted.
Repeat steps 1–5 to add more steps to the protocol.
To delete a step, select it and select Delete.
To reorder steps within the protocol, drag and drop them.
Select Save.
To drag and drop on a mobile or touch-screen device, touch and hold the item you wish to drag. After a moment, the item appears to lift off the page and its color changes to white. You can then drag the item and drop it into its new position.
On the step configuration form:
Any settings that were configured on the master step are locked. On the step configuration form, these settings display with a Locked icon.
You can configure settings that were not configured on the master step. These settings only apply to the step.
Settings not configured on the master step typically use the default value at the step level, unless those settings are configured on the step.
If not locked on the master step, the following settings can be configured at the step level.
Automation triggers
Instrument types
Reagent kits
Control types
Step Milestones
In the Master Steps list, select the master step you would like to modify.
Make your changes and select Save.
When modifying master steps and steps, keep the following in mind:
You can change the master step on which a step is based, providing the new master step is of the same step type. The list of master steps is filtered to show valid options.
If you remove configured settings from a master step, those settings on the derived steps revert to their default values, except if this would leave the step in an unworkable state. For example, you cannot remove the last container from a step. Exceptions to this revert to default rule are noted where applicable.
If you rename a step, the Recent Activities list in Lab View continues to display the name of the step as it was when the step was run. This is because the step name in this case is derived from the activity record.
In the Master Steps list, select the master step to delete.
On the master step configuration form, select Delete.
When deleting master steps and steps, keep the following in mind:
You cannot delete a step if it is included in an active or archived workflow.
You cannot delete a master step if it is used to generate a step that is in an active or archived workflow.
You cannot delete a master step if it has already been used to create one or more steps. First delete the step, and then delete the master step.
This section describes how to add a large number of samples to the LIMS by importing a sample list - a Microsoft® Excel® *.xls or *.xlsx spreadsheet file.
To process many samples, add them to Clarity LIMS by importing a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file (*.xls or *.xlsx). This method also applies to updating sample information.
The sample list must be in *.xls or *.xlsx format.
The sample list's column header names must match the default fields in the LIMS.
The following column header names cannot be changed: Sample/Name, Container/Name, and Sample/Well Location.
The following columns must be populated: Sample/Name and any sample-level custom fields that the system administrator requires.
By default, import up to a maximum of 3456 samples from a single sample list file. To import more than 3456 samples, divide the samples into multiple files.
Download a sample list template from the Projects and Samples view in Clarity LIMS.
Open the sample list template.
By default, the template contains the following information:
<TABLE HEADER> and <SAMPLE ENTRIES> tags (red/purple text).
These identifying tags are required by the LIMS import process. Do not edit these tags.
Column headers (white text on blue background)
These headers must reference the names of the fields containing the information to capture for a sample. If editing the column headers or creating additional headers, make corresponding changes to the fields in Clarity LIMS. See .
Populate the columns with the information associated with the samples. Enter the data into the rows between the <TABLE HEADER> and <SAMPLE ENTRIES> tags. Insert additional rows as needed.
Save the file and import it into a project (see ).
If the sample list specifies a container name that does not exist in Clarity LIMS, the system creates the container.
Enter dates using Excel date cell formatting.
To preserve currency characters (e.g. $), currency is best entered as a string (rather than using the Excel currency category).
Numbers can be entered either as numeric or string values.
If there are drop-down lists of values in Clarity LIMS, enter these exact values in the sample list.
Container well locations are always Row:Column. The actual dimensions depend on the container type configuration.
Excel may sometimes automatically alter values, depending on the type of data being entered.
For example, for Boolean fields such as Stored On Site? below, numeric values of zero and false will evaluate to FALSE whereas non-zero numeric values and true will evaluate to TRUE. Other values will result in an error on import.
Spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel contain features for increasing usability and speed when entering data. For example, the following configurations are available:
Add drop-down lists of options that correspond to options available in Clarity LIMS. Use the Named Range and Data Validation Excel features.
Hide header columns required by the system but not required.
The Clarity LIMS support team can create custom, efficient sample list templates.
Search for samples—Select a submitted or derived sample name to search for that sample (see also ).
For details on configuring an automation, see .
To view a subset of samples, remove selected samples from view. For details, see .
NOTE: To avoid modifying or seeing all the samples selected, remove them from the view. See .
In the sample list, specify container placement and include values for standard and user-defined options and fields (for details, see ).
Samples can be added individually in the Sample Management screen. For details, see .
If a sample list is not readily available, select the Download Example Sample List link to download a sample list template. Open the template file in Excel, populate it with the sample details, and save the file. For details, see .
Return to the LIMS and upload the modified sample list. Follow the steps outlined in .
For example, suppose you must delete a step from a particular protocol. If there are samples queued for the step, they are not able to delete it. In this case, you can move the samples forward into the next step and proceed with the step deletion (see ).
In Clarity LIMS, the outcome of the next step selection for sample outputs depends on whether those outputs are , , or .
Property | Configured on Form | What Happens at Step Level |
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For details on configuring step and master step property settings, see .
To configure each milestone, milestone, see .
The step type is set on the Master Step Settings configuration form, and all steps inherit the step type of the master step on which they are based. (To understand the relationship between master steps and steps, see .)
Setting | Options for This Step Type | Default | Description |
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Setting | Options for This Step Type | Default | Description |
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To use a No Outputs step type for QC aggregation, enable QC flags on the Record Details milestone. See .
Setting | Options for This Step Type | Default | Description |
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Setting | Options for This Step Type | Default | Description |
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Setting | Options for This Step Type | Default | Description |
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Setting | Options for This Step Type | Default | Description |
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Setting | Options for This Step Type | Default | Description |
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To access the Lab Work tab and configure steps and master steps, the Configuration:update permission is required. By default, only the Administrator role has this permission. For details, see and .
Setting | Configured on | Notes |
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Configure the settings for this master step - see , below.
To understand how properties set on the master step propagate down to the step level, see .
If you are not sure which step type to choose, review .
To understand the relationship between master steps and steps, see .
For details on the output generation options available for each step type, see .
Step type | Default Naming Convention Token | Naming Convention Preview |
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The Tokens list provides a list of tokens you can use to configure the naming convention. For descriptions and examples, see .
To enable an automation on a master step, you must have first configured the automation on the Automation tab. For details, see .
To enable an instrument/equipment type on a master step or step, you must have first added the instrument type to the system. See .
To enable a reagent kit on a master step or step, you must have first added the reagent kit to the system. See .
To enable a control type on a step, you must have first added the control type to the system. For details, see .
For more on milestones, and instructions on configuring milestone settings, see .
Refer also to .
Resolution Option | Input Result | Output Result |
Next Step | Remains in workflow, but not queued for any steps | Queued for next step in the protocol |
Mark Complete (last step in protocol; not last protocol in workflow) | Remains in workflow, but not queued for any steps | Queued for first step in next protocol |
Mark Complete (last step in last protocol in workflow) | No longer in the workflow | No longer in the workflow |
Repeat This Step | Requeued for same step | No longer in the workflow |
Remove from Workflow | No longer in the workflow | No longer in the workflow |
Request Review | In progress for same step | In progress for same step, but not in any queues |
Rework from Earlier Step | Queued for specified earlier step | No longer in the workflow |
Complete and Repeat (not last step in protocol) | Requeued for same step | Queued for next step in the protocol |
Complete and Repeat (last step in protocol; not last protocol in workflow) | Requeued for same step | Queued for first step in next protocol |
Complete and Repeat (last step in last protocol in workflow) | Requeued for same step | No longer in workflow |
Resolution Option | Input Result | Output Result |
Next Step | Remains in workflow, but not queued for any steps | Queued for next step in the protocol |
Mark Complete (last step in protocol; not last protocol in workflow) | Remains in workflow, but not queued for any steps | Queued for first step in next protocol |
Mark Complete (last step in last protocol in workflow) | No longer in the workflow | No longer in the workflow |
Repeat This Step | Requeued for same step | No longer in the workflow |
Remove from Workflow | No longer in the workflow | No longer in the workflow |
Request Review | In progress for same step | In progress for same step, but not in any queues |
Rework from Earlier Step (option not available for pooled output) | NA | NA |
Complete and Repeat (not last step in protocol) | Requeued for same step | Queued for next step in the protocol |
Complete and Repeat (last step in protocol; not last protocol in workflow) | Requeued for same step | Queued for first step in next protocol |
Complete and Repeat (last step in last protocol in workflow) | Requeued for same step | No longer in workflow |
Resolution Option | Input Result | Output Result |
Next Step | Remains in workflow, but not queued for any steps | Queued for next step in the protocol |
Mark Complete (last step in protocol; not last protocol in workflow) | Remains in workflow, but not queued for any steps | Queued for first step in next protocol |
Mark Complete (last step in last protocol in workflow) | No longer in the workflow | No longer in the workflow |
Repeat This Step | Remains in workflow but not in any of its queues | Replicates re-queued for replication step |
Remove from Workflow | No longer in the workflow | No longer in the workflow |
Request Review | In progress for same step | In progress for same step, but not in any queues |
Rework from Earlier Step (this same step) | Requeued for same step | No longer in workflow |
Rework from Earlier Step (another previous step) | Requeued for specified step | No longer in workflow |
Complete and Repeat (not last step in protocol) | Requeued for same step | Queued for next step in the protocol |
Complete and Repeat (last step in protocol; not last protocol in workflow) | Requeued for same step | Queued for first step in next protocol |
Complete and Repeat (last step in last protocol in workflow) | Requeued for same step | No longer in workflow |
Store for Later (only for replicates) | Remains in workflow< | Not in any queue |
Reagent kits | Master Step/Step Settings | Removed. No defaults set. |
Instrument types | Master Step/Step Settings | Removed. No defaults set. |
Automation trigger | Master Step/Step Settings | Reverts to default - Button (manually triggered) |
Sample grouping | Queue, Ice Bucket, Placement milestones | Reverts to default - Group by Containers |
Well sort order | Queue, Ice Bucket, Record Details milestones | Reverts to default - Row |
Sample fields display | Queue, Ice Bucket, Placement, Record Details milestones | No action - the last fields that were configured to display remain there. |
Destination containers | Placement milestone | Reverts to default - uses the Container Type specified in the 'OutputContainerType' Process Type Attribute if set, and Tube otherwise. (If Tube has been deleted from the system, then the first single-well Container Type in the system is used.) Removing the last destination container also removes the ability to set placement on the Master Step (you only have the option to turn on the placement screen if there is at least one multi-well container). |
Destination containers on a QC Step | Placement milestone | Reverts to default - No placement |
Placement pattern | Placement milestone | Reverts to default - Row |
Skip alternating rows, Skip alternating columns. | Placement milestone | Reverts to default - No |
Label groups | Add Labels milestone | Reverts to default - First group configured in LIMS (first by creation date, not by name) |
Step data heading | Record Details milestone | Reverts to default - Step Data |
Default group of defaults | Record Details milestone | Removed. No defaults set. |
Step fields display | Record Details milestone | Removed. No defaults set. |
Step field order | Record Details milestone | Reverts to default - Vertical |
File attachment method | Record Details milestone | Reverts to default - Manual |
eSignature | Record Details milestone | Reverts to default - Off |
Sample details heading | Record Details milestone | Reverts to default - Sample Table |
Sample display default | Record Details milestone | Reverts to default - Collapse |
Enable QC flags | Record Details milestone on QC Steps | Reverts to default - No |
File Column Display | Record Details milestone on QC Steps | Reverts to default - Show |
File Attachment Method | Record Details milestone on QC Steps | Reverts to default - Manual |
Derived sample generation | Fixed – For every sample that enters the step, a fixed number of derived samples are generated. | Fixed value set to 1, configurable | The number of derived samples generated is fixed. The number cannot be changed when running the step. |
Variable – For every sample that enters the step, a variable number of derived samples are generated at run time. | The number of derived samples generated can be set. This option displays on the Ice Bucket screen. |
Measurement generation | Fixed – For every sample that enters the step, a fixed number of derived samples are generated. | Fixed value set to 1, configurable | The number of derived samples generated is fixed. The number cannot be changed when running the step. |
Variable – For every sample that enters the step, a variable number of measurements are generated at run time. | The number of derived samples generated can be set. This option displays on the Ice Bucket screen. |
Measurement generation | None - For every sample that enters the step, 0 measurements are generated. | None (not configurable) | No measurements are generated and cannot be change this at run time. |
Derived sample generation | Fixed– For every sample that enters the step, a fixed number of labeled derived samples is generated. | Fixed value set to 1, configurable | The number of derived samples generated is fixed. The number cannot be changed when running the step. |
Variable– For every sample that enters the step, a variable number of labeled derived samples is generated at run time. | The number of derived samples generated can be set. This option displays on the Ice Bucket screen. |
Aliquot generation | Fixed – For every sample that enters the step, a fixed number of aliquots is used to generate pools. | Fixed value set to 1, not configurable | The number of aliquots used to generate pools is fixed, and displays on the Pooling screen and cannot change this value when running the step. |
Variable – For every sample that enters the step, a variable number of aliquots is used to generate pools at run time. | The number of aliquots used to generate pools can be set. This option displays on the Ice Bucket screen. |
Measurement generation | Fixed– For every sample that enters the step, a fixed number of measurements are generated. | Fixed value set to 1, configurable | The number of measurements generated by the step is fixed. and cannot be changed this when running the step. |
Variable– For every sample that enters the step, a variable number of measurements are generated at run time. | The number of measurements generated can be set. This option displays on the Ice Bucket screen. |
Measurement generation | Fixed– For every sample that enters the step, a fixed number of measurements are generated. | Fixed value set to 1, not configurable | The number of measurements generated by the step is fixed. This is not configurable and cannot be change it when running the step. |
Standard | {InputItemName} | Input Sample |
Standard QC | {InputItemName} | Input Sample |
Aggregate QC | None - Aggregate QC steps do not produce outputs. | Not applicable |
Add Labels | {InputItemName}-{AppliedReagentLabels} | Input Sample-N701-N501 (TAAGGCGA-TAGATCGC) |
Pooling | {PoolName} | Pool #1 |
Analysis | {InputItemName} | Input Sample |
Demultiplexing | {InputItemName} (FASTQ reads) {AppliedReagentLabels} | Input Sample (FASTQ reads) N701-N501 (TAAGGCGA-TAGATCGC) |
Custom Field/Sample Material | Custom Field/Stored On Site? | Custom Field/Sample Location | Custom Field/Date Received |
Tissue | 1 (TRUE) | Freezer #1 | 06/01/2014 |
Serum | true (TRUE) | Freezer #1 | 06/01/2014 |
Tissue | 0 (FALSE) | Fridge #2 | 07/15/2014 |
Serum | false (FALSE) | Fridge #2 | 07/15/2014 |
Tissue | yes (ERROR) | Fridge #2 | 07/15/2014 |
Consumables are the instruments, reagents, containers, and other equipment used in the lab. Configure these items in Clarity LIMS and associate them with specific master steps. When the steps are run in the LIMS, the consumables used are recorded.
This section describes how to add and configure the reagent kits and lots used in your lab, and enable them for use on specific master steps.
Add the reagent kits and lots used in the lab to Clarity LIMS and enable them for use on specific steps. When lab scientists run samples through a step, they can record the reagent lots used.
All users logged into Clarity LIMS can access the Reagents configuration screen. However, their user permissions determine what they are allowed to do in this screen.
By default, only the Administrator role has the Configuration:update permission. For more on user roles and permissions, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
Enabling kits on steps makes them available for use in the lab. When running those steps, the reagent lots used are recorded
When a new reagent kit is added, it is not a requirement to enable it on a step. It can be enabled at any time.
Reagent kit/step configuration is bidirectional. Enable a reagent kit on a step in the following situations:
When adding reagents on the Reagents configuration screen (described in this section).
When configuring a master step or step. For details, see #add-and-configure-master-steps-and-steps.
NOTE: The Configuration:update permission is required to add new reagent kits to Clarity LIMS.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
On the configuration screen, select the Consumables tab, then select Reagents.
On the Reagents configuration screen, select New Reagent Kit.
Type a name for the reagent kit. This name displays in queues of steps on which use of the reagent kit is enabled.
Enter details for the reagent kit to help with future reordering:
Supplier: Enter the commercial vendor name.
Cat. #: Enter the catalog number.
Website. Enter the website of the commercial vendor. When viewing details for the reagent kit, select the link to open the web page in a new browser window.
In the Reagent Kit Use section, the status of the new kit is set to Active. This status means that it is available to be used in the lab (after it is enabled on steps).
Select Save to add the new reagent kit.
The new kit displays in the Reagent Kits list.
On the Reagents configuration screen, in the Reagent Kits list, select the kit to enable on steps.
In the Reagent Kit Use area on the right, compete the following actions:
Select a protocol from the drop-down list. Type the first few letters of the protocol to filter the list.
In the adjacent list, select the step on which to enable the reagent kit.
Enable the control on additional steps, if necessary.
Select Save. The Reagent Kits list now indicates that the kit has been enabled on the selected steps.
On the Reagents configuration screen in the Reagent Kits list, select the kit for which you would like to add a new lot.
Below the Kit Details in the Lots area, select New Lot.
In the Lot Details area, enter the lot name.
[Optional] Enter additional details about the lot, such as the lot number and expiry date.
Specify a storage location and add notes about the reagent lot. For example, use this field to note why a lot is being archived).
Clarity LIMS automatically populates the LIMS ID and Created and Modified dates.
Select Save.
The new lot displays in the Reagent Kits list.
By default, when a new lot is added, the status is Pending. The Status of Reagent Lot slider at the bottom of the Lot Details area controls the lot status.
The status of a reagent kit may be Active or Archived. The status of a reagent lot may be Pending, Active, or Archived.
Note the following details about reagent kit status:
Active reagent kits are in use, or are available for use, in the lab workflows. By default, when a new kit is added, the status is saved as Active.
Archived reagent kits are kits that are not currently in use, or available for use, in the lab workflows. Configuration details for archived kits are saved, so reactivation is easy.
Archived kits are listed at the bottom of the main Reagent Kits list in the Archived Reagent Kits group.
Note the following details about reagent lot status:
Active reagent lots are in use, or are available for use, in the lab. Select the active reagent lots as they record work for a step.
Pending reagent lots have been ordered but not yet received in the lab. They are not available for selection by lab users running steps in Clarity LIMS. By default, when a new lot is added, the status is saved as Pending.
Archived reagent lots have typically expired or been used up. They are not available for selection by lab users. Note the following information:
When the expiry date for a lot has passed, Clarity LIMS automatically archives the lot.
Archived lots that have passed their expiry date cannot be reactivated.
Archived lots display in an Archived Reagent Lots group within the Reagent Kit details list.
In the Reagent Kits list, select the kit to be archived or reactivated.
In the Reagent Kit Use area on the right, select Archived / Active.
Select Save.
In the Reagent Kits list, select the kit containing the lot to be activated or archive
At the bottom of the Lot Details area on the Status of Reagent Lot slider, select Active / Archived.
Select Save.
In the Reagent Kits list, select the reagent kit or lot to delete.
In the Kit Details/Lot Details area on the right, select Delete.
When deleting reagent kits and lots, keep the following in mind:
Only reagent kits and lots that have not been used in a step can be deleted.
If a kit or lot has been recorded in a step, or is being used in a step, it cannot be deleted. The Delete button is not enabled.
This section describes how to add and configure the instruments and equipment used in your lab, and associate these items with master steps.
Add the instruments and equipment used in your lab to Local Analysis Software, and associate these items with specific steps. When running steps in the LIMS, lab scientists can record the instruments and equipment used.
All users logged into the LIMS can access the Instruments configuration screen. However, what they are allowed to do in this screen is determined by their user permissions.
By default, only the Administrator role has the Configuration:update permission. For more on user roles and permissions, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
When adding instruments to Clarity LIMS, there are two main steps involved:
Add a new instrument type (Configuration:update permission required).
Select an instrument type and then add a new instrument of that type. You cannot add an instrument without first selecting an instrument type
When initially setting up the system, add all the instrument types used in the lab. For example, HiSeq 3000, 2100 Bioanalyzer, NanoDrop 2000. Any logged in user can then add specific instruments to each type.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
On the configuration screen, select the Consumables tab, then select Instruments.
On the Instruments configuration screen, select New Instrument Type.
In the Instrument Type Details area, complete the following required information:
Enter the name of the type of instrument or equipment you are adding.
In the Vendor drop-down list, select an existing vendor from the list, or select Create new and type the new vendor name into the field. After you create a vendor, it is added to the list and can then be selected when creating other instrument types.
In the drop-down list that displays, select one or more master steps on which to enable this instrument type.
To remove a step from this field, select the X to the left of the step name.
The instrument type is made available for use on all steps that are created from the selected master steps. When running those steps in the LIMS, the appropriate instrument can be selected from the Record Details screen. This configuration is bidirectional - when configuring a master step, you can select instrument types to associate with that master step.
Select Save.
The new instrument type displays in the Instrument Types area. The ' zero instruments ' label indicates that no instruments of this type have yet been added
On the Instruments configuration screen, in the Instrument Types area, select the appropriate instrument type.
Select New Instrument.
In the Instrument Details area, enter the details for this instrument.
Instrument Name: Enter the name of the instrument. (This is the only required field.)
Serial number: Enter the serial number of the instrument, or other instrument-specific information.
Expires: Select the expiry date (or calibration date) of the instrument or equipment.
Valid dates are the current date or any date in the future.
After an instrument has been saved, a label displays next to this field. The label shows the number of days, and then hours, remaining before the instrument expires, or warns that the instrument has expired.
The LIMS automatically archives the instrument when the expiry date is reached (see #instrument-status).
Software Name: Enter the name of the instrument software.
Software Version: Enter the instrument software version number.
Select Save.
In the Instrument Types area, the new instrument is nested under its instrument type.
To create another instrument of the same type, select Add Another New Instrument.
When creating instruments, note the following:
A LIMS ID is automatically assigned to the instrument.
The instrument record Created date is automatically populated.
The instrument record Modified date is automatically populated; this field keeps track of any changes made to the instrument details.
By default, the instrument status is set to Active. See #reactivate-an-archived-instrument.
The instrument Status toggles between Active and Archived. By default, when adding a new instrument, its status is Active.
These instruments are in use, or available for use, in your lab workflows; they can be selected by lab users as they record work for a protocol step.
Users may edit the details of Active instruments.
These instruments are not currently in use in lab workflows (for example, they may be expired or under repair), and are not available for selection by lab users working in the LIMS.
When the expiry date for an instrument has passed, the LIMS automatically archives the instrument.
The details of Archived instruments are read-only. They may be viewed, but not edited.
Archived instruments are listed together in a single Archived Instruments group (no subgrouping by type), at the bottom of the Instrument Types area. If an archived instrument is reactivated, it once again displays under its respective instrument type.
When editing instrument types and instruments, keep the following in mind:
Only users with the Configuration:update permission type can edit instrument types.
Changes made to an instrument type, or to any instruments of that type, are reflected on all future steps on which the instrument type is enabled.
Steps that have already been run are not affected by changes made to instrument types or instruments.
When deleting instrument types and instruments, keep the following details in mind:
To delete instrument types, the Configuration:update permission is required.
When deleting an instrument type, all instruments of that type are also deleted and are no longer available for selection on steps.
You cannot delete an instrument type if any instruments of that type are in use.
You cannot delete an instrument if that instrument has been used in a step.
In the Instrument Types area, expand the Archived Instruments section and select the instrument to reactivate.
If the instrument has not expired, select Activate.
If the instrument has expired, reset the expiry date to a date in the future, and then select Activate.
Select Save.
In the Instrument Types area, the reactivated instrument displays under its instrument type. The instrument may now be selected when running steps.
This section describes how to add and configure label groups (reagent categories) and labels (reagent types or molecular barcodes), and enable them for use on specific master steps.
Add a label group for each reagent category used in your lab, and then add labels to the groups. Each label represents a reagent type (or molecular barcode) within the group/category.
Select the label groups to be used in the step when configuring the properties of steps generated from an Add Labels master step type.
To access the Labels configuration screen, the Configuration:update permission is required. Users who do not have this permission do not see the Labels option displayed under the Consumables tab.
By default, only the Administrator role has the Configuration:update permission. For more on user roles and permissions, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
When adding label groups and labels to the LIMS, there are several main steps involved:
Add a new label group.
Then, to add labels to the group:
Download a template label list (Microsoft® Excel® file) from the Labels configuration screen.
Add reagent type details to the downloaded template.
Upload the completed label list.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
On the configuration screen, select the Consumables tab and then select Labels.
On the Labels configuration screen, select New Label Group.
In the Label Group Details area, enter the name of the label group you are adding.
Numeric names are not permitted.
Duplicate names are not permitted.
You may use the name of a previously deleted label group.
Select Save.
The new label group is listed in the Label Groups list. Because there are no labels in the group, no count displays.
The Upload Label List and Download Label List buttons display in the Label Group Details area.
On the Labels configuration screen, in the Label Groups list, select the label group to which you want to add labels.
In the Label Group Details area, select Download Label List to download the template.
Open the template in Excel. It has two example label entries containing the following information:
Group Name (column A): Prepopulated with the name of the label group you selected in the LIMS.
Label ID (column B): No information is provided in this column as it is populated by the LIMS.
Label Name (column C): Provides examples of label name (reagent type) formats.
Sequence (column D): Provides examples of sequence properties of theIndex special type of the reagent type. Dual-indexes may be used, separated by a hyphen.
To complete your label list, add new rows between the opening and </LABEL ENTRIES> closing tags and enter reagent label information into these rows:
Group Name: (Required on upload) Enter the name of the label group (reagent category) into which you are adding labels.
Label ID: Leave this column empty. It is populated by the LIMS when you upload your completed label list.
Label Name: (Required on upload) Enter the names of the reagent labels (reagent types) you would like to add to the LIMS, using one of the example formats.
Sequence: (Optional on upload) Enter the index sequence of the Index special type of the reagent type, for example, "ATCACG." You may enter dual-indexes, separated by a hyphen.
Save your label list file.
Return to the Labels configuration screen, select Upload Label List and upload your completed labels list. If there are errors in the list, the upload does not complete. Refer to #label-list-upload-error.
In the Label Groups list, the label count shows the number of labels in the group.
When editing/deleting label groups, keep the following in mind:
The only item you can change directly in the LIMS is the label group name.
To make changes to the labels within the group, you must upload a modified label list. See #edit-and-delete-label.
Deleting a label group does not affect historical run data. This information is preserved in the LIMS.
When editing and deleting labels (reagent types), keep the following in mind:
Changes you make to a label are reflected on all future steps on which the label is applied.
Steps that have already been run are not affected by changes you make to labels. The labels are mapped to samples in the run and historical run data are preserved.
When uploading a label list, the following conditions result in an error:
One or more of the four headers (Group Name, Label ID, Label Name, Sequence) is missing or misspelled.
Attempting to rename a label to the same name as an existing label within any label group.
Attempting to rename a label to the same name as an existing label—even if you are also renaming the other label at the same time.
Adding a label with the same name as another label within any label group.
Attempting to edit a label without providing the Label ID.
Providing labels for the wrong group. That is, the Group Name column does not match the name of the label group into which you are uploading labels.
Providing a sequence for a reagent that does not have the 'Index' special type.
This section describes how to add and configure the control samples used in your lab, and enable them for use on specific master steps.
Controls behave like special samples that can be enabled at specific points in your workflows. However, unlike samples, controls do not need to belong to a project and do not have to be assigned to a workflow.
Add the control samples used in the lab to Clarity LIMS, and enable them for use on steps. When running a step on which control samples are enabled, the lab scientist can add those control samples to the Ice Bucket.
All users logged into the LIMS can access the Controls configuration screen. However, their user permissions determine what they are allowed to do in this screen.
By default, only the Administrator role has the Configuration:update permission. For more on user roles and permissions, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
There is no limit to the number of controls you can create or the number of steps on which you can enable a control. When adding a new control, you are not required to enable it on a step. You can do this action at any time.
Control sample/step configuration is bidirectional. Enable a control sample on a step in the following situations:
When adding control samples on the Controls configuration screen (described in this section).
When configuring a step (see #add-and-configure-master-steps-and-steps).
On the main menu, select Configuration.
On the configuration screen, select the Consumables tab, then select Controls.
On the Controls configuration screen, select New Control.
Type a name for the control sample. This name displays in queues of steps on which controls are enabled. This field is the only required field.
[Optional] Enter additional details for the control sample:
Supplier—Enter the commercial vendor name. If this control sample was made in the lab, enter in-house.
Cat. #—Enter the catalog number.
Website—Enter the website of the commercial vendor. If it is an in-house control, enter the URL of the internal web page that contains details of the in-house control. When viewing details for the control sample, lab scientists can select the link to open the web page in a new browser window.
In the Control Use section, note the following defaults:
The status of the new control is set to Active.
The new control is not flagged as a single step only control.
Select Save.
The new control displays in the Control Samples list.
Enabling controls on steps makes them available for use in the lab.
To enable a control sample on a step, complete the following steps:
On the Controls configuration screen in the Control Samples list, select the control to enable on steps.
In the Control Use area, select the protocol that includes the step on which you want to enable the control. Type the first few letters of the protocol to filter the list.
In the adjacent list, select the step on which you want to enable the control.
Enable the control on additional steps, if necessary.
Select Save.
The Control Samples list now indicates that the control has been enabled on a step. Hovering over the 'On 1 step' label displays a popup that shows the protocol and step involved.
The status of a control may be Active or Archived.
Active controls are controls that are in use or available for use in the lab workflows.
Archived controls are controls that are not currently available for use in the lab workflows.
Lab users do not see archived controls when initiating steps.
Configuration details for archived controls are saved, so it is easy to reactivate them.
In the Control Samples list, archived controls are listed in their own group. Select the arrow to expand the list and view control details.
Single step only controls do not progress in workflows. When completing a step, lab users do not need to select a Next Step for these controls.
Use this option to represent single-use, disposable samples such as QC standards, molecular weight ladders, and blanks.
In the Control Samples list, select the control to archive.
On the Status of Control slider, select Archived.
Select Save.
In the Control Samples list, expand the archived control group and select the control to be activated.
On the Status of Control slider, select Active.
Select Save.
When deleting controls, keep the following details in mind:
You can only delete control samples that have not been used in a step.
If a control sample has been recorded in a step, or is currently being used in a step, you cannot delete it. The Delete button is not enabled.
On the Controls configuration screen in the Control Samples list, select the control to delete.
In the Control Sample Details area on the right, select Delete.
This section describes two tasks that Clarity LIMS administrators are often required to perform:
Temporarily prevent a user from logging in by archiving the user.
Email a link to a user that allows them to reset their Clarity LIMS password.
While Clarity LIMS does not enforce password changes, for best practice and security, we recommend that user passwords are changed frequently.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
Select User Management.
Select the Users tab to see a list of all current active and archived users in the system, categorized by role.
Select the user to archive.
The details for the selected user display in the User Details area on the right. The Status slider displays the current status of the user.
Select Archived to temporarily archive the user.
Select Save.
By default, every new user created in Clarity LIMS is an active user and can sign in to Clarity LIMS with their username and password.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
Select User Management.
Select the Users tab to see a list of all current active and archived users in the system.
Select the user whose password is to be reset.
The details for the selected user display in the User Details area on the right.
Select Login and Password and select Reset password.
This sends the user a link that allows them to reset their password.
The Send login instructions option sends the user the following information:
The URL for the login screen.
Instructions on how to set their login password.
This email is sent automatically when a new user is created, but you may occasionally need to resend it.
The User Management configuration screen allows for viewing and managing users, clients, and accounts.
Users are the individuals who have access to the Clarity LIMS interface. Because each step in Clarity LIMS is associated with a user, you can make use of user profiles to track the work moving through your lab. While users are associated with the steps they perform as part of a project, they are not directly associated with that project—unless they are assigned as the project client.
Clients are directly associated with projects in Clarity LIMS. When you create a project, you must associate it with a client. Clients differ from users in that they are not able to log in and access the Clarity LIMS web interface. They are typically external collaborators or customers who submit samples to the lab.
Accounts must be directly associated with projects, users, and clients that are created in Clarity LIMS.
NOTE: Viewing user/client/account details, and adding, modifying, and deleting users/clients/accounts are role-based permissions. For more information, see Configured Role-Based Permissions.
This section describes how to add and manage users and clients in Clarity LIMS.
When creating users, keep the following in mind:
The username must be unique among active users in the system. This is validated when you save the user details.
If the username is already associated with an existing user, an error message displays and you are not be able to save the new user profile.
All users must provide their email address and reset their password upon upgrading their software to v5.4 (or later).
From User Management, select the Users tab.
Select inside the Role field to display a drop-down list of roles:
Select the role to assign to this user.
To remove a role from this field, select the X to the left of the role name.
[Optional] Enter a title, phone number, and fax number for the user.
Select Save.
An invitation email is automatically sent to the user. This email includes the login screen URL and information on how to set the login password. You may resend the login instructions email at any time (see #modify-user-details).
The user displays in the Users list.
[Optional] By default, the status of a new user is set to Active, which means that they can log in to Clarity LIMS. To temporarily prevent a user from logging in, change this setting by selecting Archived. (See also Manage User Access)
From User Management, select the Users tab.
Select the user to modify.
In the User Details area, modify the details as required. If you change the username, a password reset email is sent automatically to the user.
Select Login and Password to access the following options:
Send login instructions—Choose this option to re-send the user the login screen URL and information on how to set their login password.
Reset password—Choose this option to send the user a link that allows them to reset their login password (see Manage User Access).
Select Save.
From User Management, select the Users tab.
Select the user to delete.
In the User Details area, select Delete.
When deleting users, keep the following in mind:
You cannot delete a user if that user has logged in to Clarity LIMS.
You cannot delete a user if that user is associated with a project (eg, the user is the project client).
Deleting a user removes them from Clarity LIMS. You may instead prefer to archive the user or temporarily remove their access to the system. For details, see Manage User Access.
When adding new clients, each client must be a unique entry in the LIMS.
From User Management, select the Clients tab.
Select New Client.
In the Client Details area, complete the following required information:
Enter the first name and last name of the client.
Select inside the Account field and select the client account from the drop-down list.
Enter the client email address.
[Optional] Enter client title, phone number, and fax number.
Select Save.
The user displays in the Clients list, under their account name.
A client cannot be deleted if that client is associated with a project.
From User Management, select the Clients tab.
Select the client to delete.
In the Client Details area, select Delete.
Accounts are the organizations with which a facility conducts business. In the Clarity LIMS Projects and Samples screen, select the existing account from the Account drop-down list to associate projects and samples with it.
To create a new account, type directly into the Account field.
For Clarity LIMS v6.2 and later, you can also create a new account through the Accounts section of the User Management tab that is under Configuration.
From Configuration, select the User Management tab.
Select the Accounts tab.
In the Account Details area, select New Account.
Type a name for the account and complete any other applicable fields (eg, Billing Address).
Select Save.
From Configuration, select the User Management tab.
Select the Accounts tab.
In the Accounts list, select the account that you want to modify.
In the Account Details area, update the fields that need to be modified.
Select Save.
From Configuration, select the User Management tab.
Select the Accounts tab.
In the Accounts list, select the account that you want to delete.
Select Delete.
You cannot delete an account that is associated with a user or project.
This section describes how to update some of the details associated with your profile, including your password, email address, and profile photo.
After signing into Clarity LIMS, you can update some of the details associated with your profile, including your password, email address, and profile photo.
If the user is an LDAP account, then you cannot update the profile in Clarity LIMS.
In Clarity LIMS, at the right of the menu bar, select your username and then select Profile.
The Profile page opens, displaying the details associated with your user profile.
On this page, you can:
Change your password.
Change your email address.
Upload an image to associate with your profile.
On the Sign In screen, click the Forgot your password link.
In the Reset Your Password screen, enter your username or email address and click Submit.
Clarity LIMS users are assigned roles. These roles control permissions and the ability to:
Access certain Clarity LIMS features.
Perform certain actions.
Sign in to the Clarity LIMS interfaces.
In a typical LIMS lab environment, there are four primary user roles:
The following sections describe the default permissions of the four primary user roles. Some user role permissions are configurable (see Configured Role-Based Permissions).
By default, both the System Administrator and Facility Administrator user roles have access to:
All configuration areas of the Clarity LIMS web interface, allowing them to:
Add and configure workflows, protocols, and steps.
Add consumables—reagents, controls, instruments, reagent labels, containers.
Add and configure custom fields.
Add and configure automations.
Supervisory and lab management functions in the Clarity LIMS web interface, allowing them to:
Review escalations.
Remove samples from workflows.
Move samples into the next step in a workflow.
Access the Overview and Projects dashboards.
User management, allowing them to:
Create, modify, and delete user accounts.
Modify user roles and permissions.
Approve access requests from external collaborators.
The Researcher role is typically assigned to the laboratory scientist. By default, individuals who are assigned this user role are able to:
Log in to Clarity LIMS.
Access Lab View.
Manage and work with samples contained in all projects in the system.
Edit their own user profiles—ie, they can change their own passwords and other profile information.
Access three Consumables configuration areas: Reagents, Controls, and Instruments, and do the following.
View reagent kits and add new reagent lots to those kits (researchers cannot create reagent kits).
View controls.
View instrument types and add new instruments to those instrument types (researchers cannot create instrument types).
Reactivate expired (archived) instruments by resetting the expiration date.
The Collaborator role is assigned to external collaborators who interact with Clarity LIMS using the LabLink Interface.
The Collaborator role is supported in v5.3 and later. It is not supported in v5.0.x to v5.2.x.
An external person can request a user ID through LabLink. By default, when the request is approved by an administrator, the collaborator is able to:
Sign in to LabLink.
Create, view, and delete projects. (Collaborators are automatically given full permissions to projects they create.)
Submit samples to projects, and delete samples from projects.
By default, collaborators do not have access to the main Clarity LIMS web interface.
This section describes how to add and configure the containers used in your lab, and enable them for use on specific master steps.
Clarity LIMS is a container-based system requiring that samples reside in a container at every step of a workflow. Add the types of containers used in your lab to Local Analysis Software and enable them for use on specific steps.
When running a step in the LIMS, the lab scientist scans in the container barcode and proceeds to the Ice Bucket screen. In the Ice Bucket, the output container types that can be used in the step are listed.
To access the Containers configuration screen, the Configuration:update permission is required. Users who do not have this permission do not see the Containers option displayed under the Consumables tab.
By default, only the Administrator role has the Configuration:update permission. For more on user roles and permissions, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
When adding a new container to the LIMS, you are adding a container type (ie, a tube, a 96 well plate, a flow cell). When the container barcode is scanned, an instance of that container type is added.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
On the configuration screen, select the Consumables tab, then select Containers.
On the Containers configuration screen, select New Container.
In the Container Details area, enter the name of the container type you are adding. This is the only required field. When you have entered a name, the Save button becomes available.
[Optional] Specify the details of the rows and columns in the container:
In the Number fields, enter the number of rows and columns in the container.
Use the Naming toggle to specify whether the rows and columns have Alphabetic or Numeric labels.
For numeric rows and columns, use the Start at field to specify the number at which the row/column labels start.
[Optional] If you enter 1 in both row and column Number fields, an additional Yes/No toggle setting displays, asking "Do you want to skip the placement screen?".
Yes—The LIMS does not display the placement screen when the step is run. It automatically places the samples into the container.
No—The placement screen displays samples that need to be manually placed into the single well.
[Optional] List any unavailable wells (ie, wells in which samples must not be placed). Specify these in a comma-separated format, for example, A:1, A:2, A:3, A:4.
Note the following:
If you switch between Numeric and Alphabetic rows/columns, the list of unavailable wells updates to reflect the change.
If you change the Start at number for numeric rows/columns, the list of unavailable wells updates to reflect the change.
If you specify an invalid unavailable well, or change the dimensions of the container such that one or more of the specified unavailable wells becomes invalid, the List unavailable wells field turns red.
The Save button is only available when all specified unavailable wells are valid.
Select Save.
To prevent lab users from placing samples in specific wells of a container, list the unavailable wells in a comma-separated list. Each well must be listed individually. You cannot enter a range.
Wells that are marked as unavailable are shown with a dashed line border in the sample placement screen. If a sample is placed into an unavailable well, a Destination is unavailable error message displays.
On the Containers configuration screen, in the Containers list, select a container type.
The Container Details area displays the details for the selected container type.
Edit the details as required.
Select Save.
When editing container type details, keep the following in mind.
To view and edit container types, the Configuration:update permission is required.
Changes made to a container type are reflected on all future steps on which that container type is enabled.
Steps that have already been run are not affected by changes made to container type details.
When a container type has been used, its row, column, and unavailable wells settings are not editable.
On the Containers configuration screen, in the Containers list, select a container.
The container details display on the right.
Select Delete.
Confirm the deletion.The container is no longer be available for selection on steps.
When deleting container types, keep the following in mind:
To delete container types, the Configuration:update permission is required.
Container types cannot be deleted if an instance of that container type is in use, or has been used, in a step.
The Clarity LIMS automated QC system is configurable. This allows administrators to determine which QC master steps and steps are required for aggregation, the criteria to apply to each master step/step, and the field values to be copied up to aggregation.
The following features are provided:
Preconfigured protocols for DNA Initial QC and RNA Initial QC that include master step templates for Bioanalyzer, NanoDrop, Qubit, PicoGreen, CaliperGX, TapeStation, and Aggregate QC.
Custom field-based storage of key QC results for both automated and spreadsheet-based manual storage.
Custom field-based criteria (Source Data Field, Operator, and Threshold Value) for QC steps that allow for automatic assignment of QC flags triggered on the storage of a QC result file.
QC protocol filter configuration that allows you to determine to which QC step samples are queued and which must be completed before aggregation can occur.
Automated aggregation of QC results and assignment of QC flags, from individual step right up to the sample undergoing QC, with the option of using custom field-based configuration to update Concentration (and other fields) from a particular QC result.
Easy access to individual sample QC measurements and flags, allowing you to review results, see the criteria evaluated, and the resulting QC flags assigned.
Excel-based log files, attached to the aggregation step, clearly show the criteria evaluated, the resulting QC flag assigned, and which individual QC test results were used to update the custom field values on the sample undergoing QC.
The Advanced Search function is included in Clarity LIMS v6.1 or later. Advanced Search allows you to search for specific criteria and create relationships that are used to locate information stored in the system. You can use Advanced Search to build detailed search strings (including grouped and nested strings). These search strings provide the search engine with precise instructions on what to look for in the system.
You can use the search toolbar to select Advanced Search from the drop-down list. This selection takes you to the Advanced Search page. You can also access the Advanced Search page directly at /clarity/advanced-search.
Users with Read-Only permissions cannot perform a search using Advanced Search. If a user with Read-Only permissions must use Advanced Search, enable access as follows.
Locate the file on the server (/opt/gls/clarity/tomcat/current/lib/activity-management-ui-config.groovy). Create a backup of the file before proceeding.
Open the file and add the following code:
// To grant Advanced-search access to Readonly user
readonly.allowUrlMap = [
[post: ['/clarity/api/advanced-search']]
]
Restart Clarity LIMS.
From the query builder panel, select a category from the Search drop-down list.
Select Add to add one or more search conditions to the selected category.
If a search condition has other conditions following it, an AND/OR operator is displayed. A search condition contains the following components:
Constraining Entity
Field
Constraint
Constraint Value
To remove a condition, select Delete (X) to the right of the condition.
Use grouping controls to group search conditions by selecting the Show Grouping Controls checkbox. When these controls are enabled, select the checkboxes next to the conditions, and then select Group to group them together. The conditions and groups must be adjacent to each other.
The Query Preview field uses the numbers of each condition to display your search string. To separate the conditions, select the checkbox within the group, then select Ungroup.
The Undo and Redo operations record the state of a search string when you perform one of the following operations:
Add
Delete
Group
Ungroup
Clear all groups
When you select Undo, the string returns to the state before the last operation. When you select Redo, the string reverts to the state after the Undo operation.
After you perform a search, a table shows the results. This table displays the first 500 returning results by default. Use the Configuration Property tool to change the default display.
To export the search results, select Export (down arrow) to the right of the table. Filters applied to the table are not preserved in the exported search results.
The Save Query operation is enabled after a search is completed using a search string. You can use the Save Query panel to save search strings as follows.
Select Save Query.
Enter a descriptive name for the search string.
Select Save.
The new search query shows in the Save Query panel and can be used in future searches.
To view a saved query, select the query from the Saved Query panel. The Query Builder panel shows the conditions and details of the selected search query.
To modify the search query, select the applicable conditions and edit them. When you update a saved query, an EDITED label displays to the left of the query name.
To delete a saved query, select Delete (trash bin) to the left of the query.
To share a saved query, select Share (right arrow) next to the applicable query in the Saved Query panel.
A text file is downloaded that contains the selected query details.
Import a saved search query as follows.
Select Import Query.
Browse for the text file and select Open.
The query builder panel shows the details of the imported search query.
After performing a search with the imported query, select Save Query.
Enter a descriptive name for the search query.
Select Save.
The imported search query shows in the Saved Query panel and can be reused in future searches.
Step type | Master step |
Output generation | Master step |
Output naming convention | Master step |
Automation |
|
Instrument types | Master step or step |
Control types | Master step or step |
Reagent kits | Master step or step |
Step milestones | Master step or step | Some milestone settings must be configured on the master step. |
Label groups | Master step or step |
Label uniqueness | Master step |
Step file placeholders | Master step |
Use the Lab Work configuration screen to model the workflows, protocols, and master steps used in the lab on the Lab Work configuration screen.
To access the Lab Work configuration screen, the Configuration:update permission is required. Without this permission, the Lab Work tab is not visible.
By default, only the administrator role has the Configuration:update permission. For more on user roles and permissions, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
Select the Lab Work tab.
The main navigation panel lists the workflows, protocols, steps, and master steps configured in Clarity LIMS. From here, complete the following actions as needed:
View the relationships between workflows, protocols, steps, and master steps.
View workflow, protocol, step, and master step configuration in the form beneath the navigation panel.
See the status of workflows (pending, active, or archived).
Add and modify workflows, protocols, steps, and master steps.
Select a workflow, protocol, step, or master step to view related configuration items in the other lists.
Selecting a protocol highlights the following items:
All workflows that include the selected protocol are highlighted.
All steps in the selected protocol are highlighted.
All master steps from which the steps are derived are highlighted.
Selecting a workflow highlights the following items:
All protocols in the workflow, which display sequentially at the top of the Protocols list.
All steps in those highlighted protocols.
All master steps from which the highlighted steps are derived.
Zoom out in the browser to maximize the number of items visible in the lists. Drag the lower edge of the panel to see more list items.
The best practice method for creating and configuring lab work components in Clarity LIMS is as follows.
Create and configure master steps.
Create and configure protocols.
Create and configure steps, adding them to the appropriate protocols, and using the master steps Create and configure workflows, adding required protocols.
Create and configure workflows, adding required protocols.
While these are the recommended steps, you can create protocols first, or create workflows and add the protocols later. However, before creating a step, you must select the protocol in which to add the step, and the master step on which to base its configuration.
When working with workflows, protocols, steps, and master steps, there are some restrictions you should be aware of. These restrictions are summarized below, and are also described in the articles that discuss the configuration details of each component.
The following section also lists the restrictions associated with custom fields and automations.
Custom fields are configured on the Custom Fields configuration screen. Refer to Custom Fields.
Step automations are configured on the Automations configuration screen. Refer to Automations.
In Clarity LIMS, a workflow is a set of protocols arranged in a sequence that corresponds to the way in which work is performed in the lab. This page explain how to create and configure your workflow.
After protocols are created and configured, add them to workflows that represent how samples move through your lab.
In Clarity LIMS, use the Lab Work configuration screen to view, add, and configure the workflows used in the lab. For an overview of this screen, see Lab Work.
To access the Lab Work tab and configure workflows, the Configuration:update permission is required. By default, only the Administrator role has this permission. For details, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
The Lab Work screen provides an at-a-glance view of all workflows configured in the LIMS, along with the protocols and steps they contain. You can quickly see which workflows are active, which are archived, and which do not yet have protocols assigned to them.
To view workflow details:
On the main menu, select Configuration.
Select the Lab Work tab.
In the Workflows list, select a workflow to highlight it.
The Protocols list updates to show all protocols included in the workflow. These are highlighted and displayed sequentially at the top of the list. A dashed line separates these workflow protocols from the comprehensive list of all protocols in the system.
The Steps list updates, highlighting the steps included in the highlighted protocols.
The Master Steps list updates, highlighting the master steps on which the highlighted steps are based.
Note: You can also select a protocol, step, or master step to view the related workflows.
Below the main navigation panel, review the workflow configuration form. This displays the name of the workflow and its status.
The status of a workflow may be Pending, Active, or Archived. The following table provides an overview of each status setting and describes the implications of each.
The following section shows how to add a workflow to the LIMS and add protocols to it. When configuring workflows, keep the following in mind:
You are not required to add protocols immediately. If you prefer, you can create empty Pending workflows and assign protocols to them later.
You can only activate a Pending workflow if it contains at least one protocol.
When adding protocols to a workflow, reordering protocols within a workflow, or removing protocols from a workflow, your changes are autosaved. You do not have to select Save after every modification.
You cannot add empty protocols to a workflow. The protocol must include steps.
On the Lab Work configuration screen, in the upper-right corner of the Workflow list, select Add.
Below the main navigation panel, the workflow configuration form displays.
To begin, type a name for your new workflow.
Select Save.
The workflow is saved in a Pending state, and displays in the Workflow list of the main navigation panel.
In the Workflow list, select the workflow.
In the Protocol list, locate the first protocol to include and select Add.
The protocol is added to the workflow and displays at the top of the Protocol list. The 1 indicates that this is the first protocol in the workflow.
Repeat step 2 until you have added all required protocols to the workflow.
To remove a protocol from the workflow, select its Remove button.
Drag and drop to reorder protocols within the workflow.
To drag and drop on a mobile or touch-screen device, touch and hold the item you wish to drag. After a moment, the item appears to lift off the page and its color changes to white. You can then drag the item and drop it into its new position.
To view or modify a protocol, select the protocol to display its configuration form below the main navigation pane.
You can now save the workflow as a Pending workflow.
- or -
Select Activate to use this workflow immediately.
NOTE: After you activate a workflow, you cannot modify or delete it.
On the Lab Work configuration screen, in the Workflow list, select the Pending workflow to modify or activate.
Make your changes and select Save to save the workflow as a Pending workflow.
-or-
Select Activate to change the workflow status to Active and begin using the workflow.
When modifying or activating workflows, keep the following in mind:
You cannot activate empty workflows.
You can only modify a workflow while it remains in the Pending state. That is:
You cannot add a protocol to an Active or Archived workflow.
You cannot remove a protocol from an Active or Archived workflow.
You cannot rename or reorder protocols in an Active or Archived workflow.
You cannot delete protocols included in Active or Archived workflows.
While you cannot delete workflows after they have been activated, you can archive them. This makes them temporarily unavailable for use in the lab. You can reactivate an Archived workflow at any time.
To archive a workflow:
On the Lab Work configuration screen, in the Workflow list, select the Active workflow to archive.
In the Workflow Settings area, select Archive. Select Save.
To reactivate an archived workflow:
On the Lab Work configuration screen, in the Workflow list, select the Archived workflow to reactivate.
In the Workflow Settings area, select Activate. Select Save.
On the Lab Work configuration screen, in the Workflow list, select the pending workflow to delete.
On the workflow configuration form, select Delete.
Confirm the workflow deletion:
To proceed with the deletion, select Delete.
To cancel the deletion, select Cancel.
You can only delete a workflow while the workflow remains in the Pending state. You cannot delete Active or Archived workflows.
In Clarity LIMS, a protocol is a set of steps that must be performed in a specific sequence, as part of a lab's workflow. This section explain how to create and configure your lab protocols.
Clarity LIMS includes preconfigured protocols, each containing a series of steps through which a sample must pass. You can create custom protocols, adding steps that represent the steps that are run in your lab. You can then add the protocols to workflows so that lab users can work with them in Lab View.
Use the Lab Work configuration screen to view, add, and configure the protocols used in the lab. For an overview of this screen, see #lab-work-overview
To access the Lab Work tab and configure protocols, the Configuration:update permission is required. By default, only the Administrator role has this permission. For details, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
Select the Lab Work tab.
The Workflows, Protocols, Steps, and Master Steps navigation panel displays.
In the Protocols list, select a protocol to highlight it:
The Workflows list updates, highlighting the workflows that contain the selected protocol.
The Steps list updates, highlighting the steps included in the selected protocol.
The Master Steps list updates, highlighting the master steps on which the highlighted steps are based.
Below the main navigation panel, review the protocol configuration form.
This displays the name of the protocol and its settings.
The Protocol Settings area captures important information about the protocol—the date it was created, the date it was last modified, and other settings that determine how the protocol is used in the lab. The following table summarizes these settings.
When adding and configuring protocols, note the following details:
When adding steps to a protocol, reordering steps, or removing steps from a protocol, changes are autosaved. You do not need to select Save after every modification.
When #configure-next-steps, you must select Save to save your changes.
To add a protocol:
On the Lab Work configuration screen, in the upper-right corner of the Protocols list, select Add.
Below the main navigation panel, the protocol configuration form displays.
To begin, type a name for the new protocol.
Select the settings for this protocol (For details, see #protocol-settings):
Select whether this is a QC or Non-QC protocol.
Select the Protocol Type:
If you are adding a QC protocol, this automatically is set to QC.
If you are adding a Non-QC protocol, select the type from the drop-down list.
In the Capacity field, enter the sample capacity of this protocol.
[Optional] To temporarily hide the protocol from Lab View, use the Show in Lab View? slider. Change the setting to No.
Select Save. The new protocol displays at the bottom of the Protocols list. You can move it to a different position in the list by dragging and dropping.
To drag and drop on a mobile or touch-screen device, touch and hold the item you wish to drag. After a moment, the item appears to lift off the page and its color changes to white. You can then drag the item and drop it into its new position.
You can also copy a protocol and then modify the copy for use in other workflows. See #copy-protocols.
This section provides an overview of the step creation process. For detailed information on steps and master steps, and step-by-step instructions for configuring them, see#add-and-configure-master-steps-and-steps.
To add a step to a protocol:
In the Protocols list, select the protocol.
In the upper-right corner of the Steps list, select Add.
Below the main navigation panel, the step configuration form displays.
Type a name for the new step.
In the adjacent Master Step list, select the master step upon which to base the new step.
Select Save (this button is not enabled until you have selected a master step).
In the Protocols list, select the protocol again.
The step you added displays at the top of the Step list.
If this is a non-QC protocol, a 1 is in front of the step name, indicating that this is the first step in the protocol.(QC steps are not numbered as they are typically not sequential.)
In the Master Step list, the master step upon which the step is based is also highlighted.
Repeat steps 1–5 to add more steps to the protocol.
To delete a step, select it and select the Delete.
To reorder steps within the protocol, simply drag and drop them.
To drag and drop on a mobile or touch-screen device, touch and hold the item you wish to drag. After a moment, the item appears to lift off the page and its color changes to white. You can then drag the item and drop it into its new position.
Select Save.
You can now configure the order in which the steps are run, and the method used to assign and run 'next steps.' See #configure-next-steps.
When configuring non-QC protocols, the protocol configuration form includes a Next Steps table. This allows you to configure the sequence in which steps are run in the protocol. This table does not display for QC protocols, because the steps in a QC protocol are typically not sequential.
In the table:
Each row represents a numbered step in the protocol.
Each column represents a 'permitted next step' for each of the numbered steps.
The cells at each row/column intersection indicate which steps are potential permitted next steps for the step represented in that row.
If there is an icon in the cell (an X or a checkmark), the step represented by that column may be selected or deselected as a permitted next step.
Previous and current steps cannot be selected as permitted next steps, and are shown as nonselectable cells.
The bottom two rows determine whether the next steps are started and assigned manually or automatically. Manual is the default setting.
To configure next steps
In the Next Steps table, select a cell to select (or deselect) one or more permitted next steps.
In the Start Next Step and Assign Next Step rows, select a cell to switch between Manual and Automatic.
To assign a next step automatically, you also need to configure an automation and add it to the step. For details, see #add-and-configure-automations.
When configuring QC protocols, the protocol configuration form includes a QC Filters section. This section lets you configure QC logic to make sure that only certain samples are queued for each QC step. Typically, QC protocols contain multiple nonsequential steps that culminate in a QC aggregation step.
QC filters are composed of two drop-down lists.
The first list refers to the QC flag assigned at run time:
Passed means that a pass QC flag was assigned to the sample at run time.
Failed means that a fail QC flag was assigned to the sample at run time.
Did not pass means that the sample did not run, or received a fail QC flag, at run time.
Did not fail means that the sample did not run, or received a pass QC flag, at run time.
The second list refers to the master steps from which the steps are derived:
All master steps used in the protocol are included in the list. Together, these form a statement (for example, Failed Bioanalyzer).
Each statement may be followed by an'AND', which allows you to create an additive statement.
Statements are separated by an'OR', which allows you to create mutually exclusive statements.
Together, these AND/OR statements create the QC filter logic for a given step.
For example:
You may want the NanoDrop QC queue to show samples that have not passed NanoDrop QC (ie, they did not run, or received a fail QC flag), and that have passedBioanalyzer QC.
If the procedures dictate that all samples must have passed Bioanalyzer QC and NanoDrop QC, use an 'AND' statement to ensure samples are not queued for a QC aggregation step unless they have passed both of these steps.
If your lab procedures dictate that all samples must have passed Bioanalyzer QC or NanoDrop QC, use an 'OR' statement to ensure samples are not queued for QC aggregation unless they have passed one of these steps.
You may want to rename a protocol, or add or reorder steps. Some modifications are only permitted if the protocol is not included in an active or archived workflow.
NOTE: We recommend that you do not modify or delete the preconfigured protocols without first consulting the Clarity LIMS Support team.
To modify a protocol:
In the Protocols list, select the protocol.
Make your changes and select Save.
Note the following details:
You can rename protocols in pending, active, and archived workflows.
For non-QC protocols, you can modify the protocol type. For example, you can change a Sample Prep protocol to a Library Prep protocol.
You can choose to hide or show the protocol in Lab View.
You cannot change a QC protocol to a non-QC protocol, and vice versa.
You cannot add, reorder, or delete steps if the protocol is included in an active or archived workflow.
To delete a protocol:
In the Protocols list, select the protocol.
On the protocol configuration form, select Delete.
Note the following details:
You cannot delete a protocol if it is included in an active or archived workflow. In this case, the Delete button is not enabled.
If you delete a protocol, the steps it contains, and the master steps on which those steps were based are not deleted.
After you have added and configured a protocol, you can copy it and then modify the copy for use in other workflows. This is useful if you have multiple protocols with similar base configuration, as it saves you having to recreate each one from scratch.
To access the Lab Work tab and configure protocols, the Configuration:update permission is required. By default, only the Administrator role has this permission. For details, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
When you copy a protocol, all of its steps are also copied—along with any step-level fields, automations, reagents, controls, and instruments configured on those steps.
You can also create copies of the master steps, or you can reuse the same master steps.
Copying master steps does copy step-level fields.
Reusing master steps does not copy step-level fields.
If a copied master step has custom field default values that refer to other steps within the protocol, update those values to refer to the copied steps. See #update-custom-field-default-on-copied-master-steps.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
On the LIMS configuration screen, select the Lab Work tab.
In the main navigation panel, in the Protocols list, select the protocol to copy.
Below the navigation panel, select Copy.
The Copy Protocol Options dialog opens. This dialog provides two options:
Append name with—This option lets you specify text to be appended to the protocol name (default is _copy). This text also is appended to the copied step names, and to the master step names if you also choose to copy those. Note: Copied step-level field names do not have the text appended.
Copy Master Steps?—This option lets you choose to reuse the same master steps (this is the default behavior), or create copies of the master steps.
Selected an option and then select Continue to copy the protocol and steps.
The copied protocol displays in the Protocols list, and is selected along with its related steps and master steps.
Below the navigation panel, the protocol configuration form displays. You can work with the protocol and its steps just as you would with any other protocol/steps in the system.
If you have configured a custom field default on the master step you are copying, and the default value refers to the name of another step within the protocol, you must update that default value on the copied master step, so that it refers to the appropriate step in the copied protocol. The default values are not automatically updated to refer to the copied step names.
Similarly, if you have configured a script or logic that uses custom field defaults that refer to another step within the protocol, you must update those default values on the copied master step.
For example, in a QC protocol:
The Aggregate QC step has various 'Copy Task' UDFs defined - eg, Copy Task 1 - Source Step and Copy Task 2 - Source Step.
The values of these fields are determined by other QC steps within the protocol.
The script that is configured on the QC Aggregate step references those QC step names, locates the specified custom field values from the steps, and uses them to determine QC results.
If the QC protocol is copied, the copy of the master step on which the Aggregate QC step is based must be updated so that the custom field default values refer to the appropriate steps within the protocol.
Manage the permissions of the System Administrator, Facility Administrator, Researcher, and Collaborator user roles to restrict or allow the following actions:
Sign in to Clarity LIMS.
Sign in to the API.
View and interact with certain features of the interface.
Perform certain actions in the interface.
View and restrict any actions in the interface. [Clarity LIMS v6.1 and above]
Role-based permissions are controlled through the permissions-tool.jar tool, at /opt/gls/clarity/tools/permissions/.
For assistance with running the command-line permissions tool, contact the Illumina Support team.
Functionality includes the following commands:
#listroles—List all roles in the system.
#describerole—List names and descriptions of all permissions in the system.
#createrole—Create a role.
#showsummary—List permissions assigned to each role in the system.
#listpermissions—List permissions assigned to a specific role.
#assignpermission—Assign a permission to a role.
#removepermission—Remove a permission from a role.
NOTE: The permissions-tool.jar tool function names and property names are case-sensitive. If you type the incorrect case, your command or property cannot be understood.
There can be a delay (up to 20 minutes) before changes to some API-related permissions take effect.
List all user roles in the system:
Show permissions for a specific role:
Create a role:
Show assigned permissions for all roles:
List names and descriptions of all permissions:
Assign a permission to a role (the example assigns permission to create controls):
[Clarity LIMS v6.1 and above] Assign a permission to a role (the example assigns read-only permission to a role):
Refer to #supported-permissions.
Remove a permission from a role (the example removes permission to create controls):
Refer to #supported-permissions.
The sections below list LIMS permissions and actions, and the user roles to which each permission/action is assigned by default.
By default, System Administrators and Facility Administrators have all permissions listed.
The default role with AdministerLabLink permission is Administrator. This permission is added to the existing System Administrator & Facility Administrator roles.
The Collaborator role is based on the existing Collaborator role in LabLink v1.0.
Note: The existing Researcher role does not have the new permission and behaves similarly to the LabLink Collaborator role.
Default roles with this permission: Administrator, Researcher
The Sample:update permission is automatically granted to roles that have the Sample:create permission at the time of migration to Clarity LIMS v5.x. If you have removed create permissions from any default role, the role does not acquire the update permission.
Default roles with these permissions: Administrator
Users with ClarityLogin permission can access the Consumables > Controls tab and view control sample details (read only).
Default roles with these permissions: Administrator
Users with ClarityLogin permission can access the Consumables > Reagents tab. They can also view, edit, and delete reagent lots, and add lots to existing kits. No additional ReagentKit permissions are required.
Default roles with these permissions: Administrator
APILogin permission is required for role management. All users with ClarityLogin permissions can view and edit their own user details (except for assigning/removing roles).
Default roles with this permission: Not applicable. You can assign this permission to any role.
At least one System Administrator must be available to reconfigure user roles. Therefore, we recommend that you do not assign the Read-Only permission to the default Administrator and API users.
Default roles with these permissions: Administrator
In the LIMS user interface, the term 'contact' has been replaced with 'client.' However, the API still uses the permission Contact.
All users with ClarityLogin permission can view and edit their own user details (except for assigning/removing roles).
Default roles with these permissions: Administrator
In the LIMS user interface, the term 'contact' has been replaced with 'client.' However, the API still uses the permission Contact.
Users with ClarityLogin permission can view and edit their own client and user details.
Clients can edit their own details (except for assigning/removing roles) without having update permission.
Default roles with these permissions: Administrator
In the LIMS user interface, the term 'process' has been replaced with 'master step.' However, the API still uses the permission Process.
Default roles with this permission: Administrator
Default roles with this permission: Administrator
Default roles with this permission: Administrator, Researcher, Collaborator
Default roles with this permission: Administrator, Researcher, Collaborator
Default roles with this permission: Administrator
Default roles with this permission: Administrator
Default roles with this permission: Administrator
Default roles with this permission: Administrator
Default roles with this permission: Administrator
Default roles with this permission: None
Modifications are limited to what is available on the Record Details screen for the step.
Details such as sample placement or routing cannot be modified.
Only steps completed after upgrading to LIMS v5.1 can be edited. Steps completed in v5.0 or earlier cannot be edited.
Steps that were executed using the Process API cannot be edited.
For details, see Modify Completed Step Details .
This section describes how to add and configure the three types of automations in Clarity LIMS: step automations, project automations, and derived sample automations.
To access the Automation configuration screen, the Configuration:update permission is required. Users who do not have the Configuration:update permission do not see the Automation tab.
By default, only the Administrator role has the Configuration:update permission. For more on user roles and permissions, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
You can create three types of automations in Clarity LIMS: step automations, project automations, and derived sample automations.
Step automations—Actions that are triggered when running samples through a step. Configure them to be triggered automatically (at the start/end of the step, or when a particular screen is entered or exited), or manually (when selecting a button on the Record Details screen). The automations are enabled on the master step, but the trigger points are configured at the master step or step level. See #add-a-step-automation
Project automations—Actions that users can run on submitted samples, directly from the Projects & Samples screen. For example, you might configure an automation that gives the ability to assign the samples to a workflow. See #add-a-project-automation
Derived sample automations—Actions that users can run on derived samples, directly from the Projects dashboard. For example, you could configure an automation that gives the ability to queue selected samples for a new workflow. In this case, the automation would trigger a custom script created for this purpose. See #add-a-derived-sample-automation
Step automations are reusable. After you have created an automation, you can enable it on multiple master steps.
If you intend the automation to be triggered manually, the name you choose for the automation is used to name the button that initiates it from the LIMS interface.
Two step automations can have the same name as long as they are unique in some other way. For example:
channel name is unique, or
command line is unique, or
run-program-per-event values are unique (available in the API only)
Attached files and associated master steps are ignored in these comparisons.
Two project automations cannot have the same name, regardless of the uniqueness of channel name and command line.
You cannot enable multiple automations with the same name on a master step, even if the automations are configured differently.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
On the configuration screen, select the Automation tab.
On the Step Automation tab, select New Automation.
In the Automation Details area, complete the required fields:
Type a name for the new automation.
In the Channel Name field, enter the channel to be used for this automation (for more information, refer to Automation Channels in the Clarity LIMS API documentation section).
In the Command Line field, enter the command line to be run when the automation is triggered. Copy/paste tokens from the Tokens list, as required. For details, refer to Step Automation Tokens in the Clarity LIMS API documentation section.
[Optional] Enable automation on steps:
In the Automation Use section, select inside the Enable on these Master Steps field and select the master step on which to enable the automation. (Note that this configuration is bidirectional—when configuring a master step, you can select automations to associate with that master step.)
If necessary, you can:
Repeat this process to enable the automation on multiple steps.
Select the X button to remove a step from the field.
Select Save.
The new step automation is now available to be configured on the selected master steps.
The Automations configuration screen includes a Template Files section that allows for the upload of a template file to an automation. Reference the file in the automation command line and use it to generate a file that is attached to the step—typically a sample sheet file that can be used to start the instrument run.
A token for the template file is automatically added to the Tokens list. When included in the command line, the token is replaced with the absolute path of the template file at run time.
Downloadable sample sheet template files are available for several Illumina instrument integrations. For details on modifying the example template for the needs of your lab, refer to the Lab Instrument Tool Kit section of the Clarity LIMS Integrations and Tool Kits documentation.
In the Template Files section, select Upload File.
In the Upload File dialog, select Choose File, and then browse to and select the appropriate template file.
Select Upload. The file is attached to the automation and listed in the Template Files section. When upload is complete, a new dynamic token is added to the Tokens list.
In the Command Line field:
Include a script that generates the output file.
Provide the template file token as a script parameter. You can copy and paste the token directly from the Tokens list. At run time, the token is replaced with the absolute path of the file.
Select Save.
In the Step Automation list, an icon indicates that a file is attached.
If necessary, you can:
Repeat this process to attach additional files to the automation.
Select the X button to remove the file from the automation.
You can also attach template files to automations via the API, using the files endpoint. For details, refer to the Clarity LIMS API documentation.
On the Derived Sample Automation tab, select New Automation.
In the Automation Details area, complete the required fields:
Type a name for the new automation.
In the Channel Name field, enter the channel to be used for this automation (for more information, refer to Automation Channels in the Clarity LIMS API documentation section).
In the Command Line field, enter the command line to be run when the automation is triggered. Copy/paste tokens from the Tokens list, as required.
For details, refer to Derived Sample Automation Tokens in the Clarity LIMS API documentation section.
Select Save.
The new derived sample automation is added to the Derived Sample Automations list, and is now available to be run on derived samples from the Projects dashboard.
The following examples show how derived sample automations can be used in the lab.
On the Project Automation tab, select New Automation.
In the Automation Details area, complete the required fields:
Type a name for the new automation.
In the Channel Name field, enter the channel to be used for this automation (for more information, refer to Automation Channels in the Clarity LIMS API documentation section).
In the Command Line field, enter the command line to be run when the automation is triggered. Copy/paste tokens from the Tokens list, as required. For details, refer to Project Automation Tokens in the Clarity LIMS API documentation section.
Select Save.
The new project automation is added to the Project Automations list, and is now available to be run on submitted samples from the Projects & Samples screen.
On the Automation Configuration screen, select one of the following tabs:
Step Automation
Project Automation
Derived Sample Automation
In the list of automations on the left, select the automation to edit.
Make your changes and select Save.
When editing step automations, keep the following in mind:
Changes you make to a step automation are reflected on all future steps on which that automation is enabled.
Steps that have already been run are not affected by changes you make to a step automation.
On the Automation Configuration screen, select one of the following tabs:
Step Automation
Project Automation
Derived Sample Automation
In the list of automations on the left, select the automation to delete.
Select Delete.
Information about deleted automations is saved in the Clarity LIMS database for historical purposes. However, there is no way to restore a deleted automation for use in Clarity LIMS.
In Clarity LIMS, custom fields are used to record information about a step, sample, or other LIMS component.
There are two types of custom fields: global fields and master step fields.
The default configuration includes both global and master step fields. You can add additional fields to meet the needs of your lab, and display those fields to the user at run time (see Step Milestones).
Global fields—Apply to the whole LIMS system. You can use these fields to record measurements and information about measurements, submitted samples, derived samples, accounts, containers, projects, and clients.
Master step fields apply to the master step on which they are configured, and are inherited by all steps derived from that master step.
To access the Custom Fields configuration screen, the Configuration:update permission is required. Users who do not have this permission do not see the Custom Fields tab.
By default, only the Administrator role has the Configuration:update permission. For more on user roles and permissions, see User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions.
Configure custom fields to record information about a step, sample, or other Clarity LIMS component.
For example, you can:
Use global fields to capture sample measurements and track information about projects.
Use master step fields to record instrument settings and other details about a specific step.
Configure automation scripts that populate custom fields or perform calculations at run time.
Create groups of defaults—collections of prepopulated master step fields that eliminate the need for manual input of values at run time and make sure that the correct information is always recorded.
When adding custom fields, keep the following in mind:
You cannot save a custom field until you have entered a name and selected a field type.
You cannot create a custom field on a global field object or master step with the same name as an existing field on that object/master step. For example, if you have a created a global field called 'Description' on the Account object, you cannot create another global field called 'Description' on the Account object. However, you can create a 'Description' field on the Project object.
If the field name you specify is the same as a field that has been deleted, the new field is created and the conflicting field name is renamed. Deleted fields do not display in the LIMS interface, but are saved in the database.
On the main menu, select Configuration.
On the configuration screen, select the Custom Fields tab.
On the Custom Fields configuration screen, select the Global Fields or Master Step Fields tab.
In the header of the global field object or master step for which you want to add a new field, select Add.
In the Field Details area, complete the required fields:
a. Type a name for the field.
b. Select the appropriate field type. See sections below for details.
Set the required field options:
Required: If this field must be filled in, set this option to Yes. Otherwise, set to No.
Read only: If you do not want the user to edit the field value at run time, set to Yes. To allow editing of the field at run time, set to No
The Field Options and Additional Options reflect the field type selected:
Default (for nondrop-down field types only): If you would like to set a default value, enter the value here.
Dropdown Items (for drop-down field types only):
To set a default item, add this value first and set the Set as Default toggle switch to Yes. You can only set the first item as the default, and you cannot reorder items after you have added them.
Repeat to add more items to the list.
To remove a list item, select the X button.
If you do not specify any drop-down items, or if you specify only one item and set it as the default value, upon save, the field converts to its equivalent nondrop-down type and custom entries are enabled.
Select Add and enter the first list item.
Complete other options, as required. See sections below for details.
Select Save. The new custom field is added to the bottom of the fields list. It is now available to be displayed on master step and/or step milestone screens.
For any field selected, the Field Details area displays the following information:
The field name.
The global field object (Derived Sample shown here), or the master step, with which the field is associated.
The field type.
The field options, that is, whether the field is:
Required—If set to Yes, the field must be filled in.
Read only—If set to Yes, the field cannot be edited at run time.
The default value for the field, if set.
For drop-down field types:
The Default option is replaced with a Dropdown Items list.
The first list item may be set as the default value for the field.
Additional options may also display, as described below. These differ depending on the field type. For example, the Range From and To fields only display for Numeric field types.
The following table describes the field types available for custom fields, and the additional options that apply to each type.
Custom Field Types and Additional Options
The Toggle Switch field type renders as a toggle switch on the Record Details screen.
Configuration options:
Default value configured as Yes or No: When the screen displays, Yes or No is selected by default. User can select Yes or No.
Default value configured as None Set: When the screen displays, neither Yes nor No is selected. User selects a value.
Required: The field may be configured as a required field, even if the default value is None Set. When the user enters the screen, neither Yes nor No is selected, but a value must be selected.
The following table explains how to use the additional options associated with the Numeric, Numeric Dropdown, Text Dropdown, and Hyperlink Dropdown field types.
Field Types Additional Options Usage
This section describes how to edit and delete custom fields.
On the Custom Fields configuration screen, select the Global Fields or Master Step Fields tab.
Expand the global field object group or master step containing the field to edit.
Select the field.
Make your changes and select Save.
When editing custom fields, keep the following in mind:
You cannot modify the field type, unless you are changing a drop-down field type to its equivalent nondrop-down type or vice versa. For example, you can change a Numeric Dropdown field to a Numeric field, or a Text field to a Text Dropdown field.
If you convert a drop-down field type to its equivalent nondrop-down type, Clarity LIMS removes all nondefault list values and enables custom entries upon saving. If a default drop-down option was set, it becomes the default for the nondrop-down field.
On the Custom Fields configuration screen, select the Global Fields or Master Step Fields tab.
Expand the global field group or master step containing the field you would like to delete.
Select the field and select Delete. Confirm the deletion.
When deleting custom fields, keep the following in mind:
You cannot delete a master step field if it has been assigned a value, or is in use in a step—that is, if a step derived from the master step with which the field is associated has been started.
If you delete a custom field, it no longer displays in the LIMS interface. However, its information is saved in the database for historical purposes.
You cannot restore a deleted field for use in the LIMS, but you can create a field with the same name. The original deleted field is renamed in the database.
You cannot reorder master step fields on the Custom Fields configuration screen. This configuration is instead available on the Record Details milestone. For details, refer to the #configure-step-data section of the #configure-record-details-milestone topic.
However, you can reorder global fields by simply clicking and dragging them into position.
To drag and drop on a mobile or touch-screen device, touch and hold the item you wish to drag. After a moment, the item appears to lift off the page and its color changes to white. You can then drag the item and drop it into its new position.
The order is reflected in various places in the LIMS interface, for example:
Submitted sample global field ordering is reflected on the Sample Management screen, in the Sample Details section.
Project global field ordering is reflected on the Project Details screen (on the Custom Fields tab) and on the Sample Management screen (in the Project Details section).
Groups of defaults are collections of prepopulated master step fields. Using these eliminates the need for lab scientists to manually enter field values each time they run the step, and makes sure that the correct information is recorded every time a step is run.
When you have added groups of defaults to a master step:
They become available for selection when you create a step based on the master step.
When running a step in Clarity LIMS, if the step has one or more groups of defaults configured, these steps display in a drop-down list in the upper-right corner of the Record Details screen. Select the desired group of defaults and the LIMS populates the step fields with the corresponding values.
If you have configured a default group of defaults, those values automatically populate the step fields.
On the Custom Fields configuration screen, select the Master Step Fields tab.
Expand the master step on which to configure a group of defaults.
Below the configured master step fields, in the Group of Defaults section, select Add.
In the Group of Defaults area on the right, the fields associated with the master step display.
Name the group of defaults.
Populate each field with the value to set for the group of defaults.
Select Save.
[Optional] When configuring the Record Details milestone for a step, if the related master step has one or more groups of defaults configured, you can select a default group to display.
[Optional] Reorder groups of defaults by clicking and dragging them into position.
To drag and drop on a mobile or touch-screen device, touch and hold the item you wish to drag. After a moment, the item appears to lift off the page and its color changes to white. You can then drag the item and drop it into its new position.
The order is reflected in the drop-down list that displays at the top of the Record Details screen.
Basic Search is used to search the entire system or search within the following categories:
Samples
Projects
Containers
Protocol steps
Type a complete keyword or search term, or part of the term followed by an asterisk. Search terms are case-sensitive.
The results include all samples, containers, projects, and protocol steps that contain the search term.
Select Search.
In the drop-down Search category list, select All. Type a search term into the adjacent field and press the Enter key.
At the left of the Search results windows, the Category Results panel summarizes the search results and groups them by category.
In the Search results list, the following actions are available:
Hover over the information icon to view more information.
Select on links to drill down further into the data.
When searching for a particular sample, you may want to:
View a list of all steps that have been performed on a specific sample.
See which in-progress steps involve a specific sample.
Determine which steps used a particular derived sample.
When searching for samples, type the keyword or term to search for into the Search box.
Search on the following information, as it relates to a sample:
Select Search.
In the drop-down Search category list, select Sample. Type a search term into the adjacent field and press the Enter key.
You can type the complete keyword or part of the keyword followed by an asterisk.
For example, the search can be performed on the complete sample name (eg, heart-123). However, a keyword followed by an asterisk (eg, heart*) could also be used. The results return all samples whose name include the keyword.
From the sample Search results list, view more information about the sample, including all steps in which it is involved and/or queued.
These options differ depending on whether the sample is a submitted sample or a derived sample.
In QC protocols, you cannot go directly to the queue for a specific step, because all steps share a queue.
Repeated steps display in the sample details search results.
For example, in the previous illustration, suppose that the sample was requeued for the Qubit QC step and the step was repeated. The next time a sample is searched, the step is listed twice.
Searching within the Project category allows you to drill down and quickly find the following project details:
The account and client associated with a specific project.
The number of samples included in a project.
The current project status. For example, at what stage in the workflow samples are currently located and what has been completed.
Select Search.
In the drop-down Search category list, select Project. In the adjacent field, type the project name and then press the Enter key.
Type the complete project name or part of it followed by an asterisk.
From the Search results list, view more information about the project.
For example, the following search results show that the Liver Study project was started on January 27, 2017 and contains 98 samples. The account and client associated with the project are also shown.
Expanding the sample details shows a list of all the steps in which the project samples are actively involved.
In QC protocols, users cannot go directly to the queue for a specific step, because all steps share a queue.
Search within the Container category to search for a specific container by name (Clarity LIMS ID) or quickly find all containers of a certain type in the lab. From the search results returned, the following information can be determined:
Which samples are in the container(s).
Which projects are associated with the sample(s) in the container(s).
What was the last step performed on the sample(s) and who performed it.
Select Search.
In the drop-down Search category list, select Container. In the adjacent field, type the container name and then press the Enter key.
Type the complete container name/Clarity LIMS ID or part of the name followed by an asterisk.
From the search results list, you can view more information about the container and the sample(s) it contains.
For example, the following search results show numerous details:
Clarity LIMS ID 27-301 belongs to a 96 well plate.
The plate contains six samples from the Liver Study project.
These samples are currently in the queue for the Cluster Generation step.
Restrict a search to protocol steps to determine how many steps of a particular type are currently in progress or completed.
Select Search.
In the drop-down Search category list, select Protocol Step. In the adjacent text box, type the step name and press the Enter key.
You can type the complete step name or part of it followed by an asterisk.
The search results list provides at-a-glance information, such as the status of each step, the date the step was started, the user who ran the step, and the number of samples contained within the step.
Various options for drilling down further into the data are provided.
Select Search.
In the drop-down Search category list, select Protocol Step. In the adjacent field, type all or part of the user name to search for and press the Enter key.
The Search results returned will list all of the in-progress and completed steps associated with the user.
This section explains the relationship between milestones, master steps, and steps; shows how to access milestone configuration settings; and provides an overview of each milestone.
Milestones are the various stages of a step that are presented to lab users as they run samples through steps in Clarity LIMS.
Some screens (such as the Queue, Ice Bucket, and Record Details screens) display on all steps, while others only display on certain step types.
For example, the Pooling milestone only displays on steps of the Pooling type and the Add Labels screen only displays on steps of the Add Labels type. On all other step types, those milestones are disabled on both the master step and step configuration forms.
The following table shows the milestones that are available for display for each step type. For more information on step types, see #about-step-types-and-outputs.
Milestones Displayed for Step Types
Step Type | Queue | Ice Bucket | Step Setup* | Pooling | Placement | Add Labels | Record Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
*While the Step Setup screen is available for display on all step types, it is optional and does not display by default. To enable the Step Setup screen, you must first add file placeholders on the master step. For details, see #configure-step-setup-milestone.
You can configure milestone settings on the master step and step configuration forms.
When switching between the step and master step configuration forms while viewing or editing a milestone, you are returned to the parent step/master step form. You need to select the milestone name again to open its settings form.
Similarly, if you wish to return to the step or master step settings form, select the parent master step or step tab.
To configure a milestone:
Select it to open its settings form.
When configuring milestones on master steps and steps, consider the following details:
If you configure a list of items at the master step level—for example, expanded view fields, instrument types, reagent kits—the order in which they are listed on the master step is overwritten by the order set at the step level. Set the order of any list at the step level. This includes the order of the Sample table column headers.
If you remove configured settings from a master step, those settings on the related steps revert to their default values. The exception is if this would leave the step in an unworkable state. For example, you cannot remove the last container from a step. Exceptions to this 'revert to default' rule are noted where applicable.
Settings configured at the step level only apply to that particular step.
To understand how properties set on the master step propagate down to the step level, see #rules-for-propagation-of-master-step-properties
When running samples through a step, the first screen that displays is the Queue screen. This screen provides a sample table to select samples to be placed into the Ice Bucket, reserving them for use.
The following components of the Queue Sample table are configurable on the Queue Settings form:
The Sample table column headers
The Sample table expanded view fields
Default grouping and well sort order of Sample table
On the Queue Settings form, configure the column headers that display in the Sample table, and the order in which they display.
Note the following:
No default column headers are configured at the master step level.
When configuring column headers on a new step, several default column headers will display. You can remove these, but the table must have at least one field remaining (this may be set on either the master step or the step).
Expanded view fields are hidden by default in the Sample table. These fields contain additional details about the samples in the queue. At run time, choose to display these details by clicking the Show/Hide Details button.
On the Queue Settings form, in the Expanded View Fields section, you can select additional fields to add to the body of the Sample table.
Note the following:
No default expanded view fields are configured at the master step or the step level.
If expanded view fields are configured at the master step level, they display as locked at the step level and cannot be removed. You can modify the order in which the locked fields display.
Expanded view fields are available for display in multiple milestone screens. The configuration options set in each milestone are specific to that milestone. You may choose to configure the expanded view fields differently in other milestones.
On the Queue screen, samples are grouped by Container and sorted by well Row by default.
On the Queue Settings form, in the Defaults section, you can modify these settings if necessary.
Samples move from the Queue into the Ice Bucket, where they are reserved for use for 30 minutes. The Ice Bucket screen displays for all step types. It comprises a Sample table that displays information about the samples entering the step.
The following components of the Ice Bucket screen are configurable on the Ice BucketSettings form:
The Sample table column headers
The Sample table expanded view fields
Default grouping and well sort order of Sample table
On the Ice Bucket Settings form, configure the column headers that display in the Sample table, and the order in which they display.
Note the following:
No default column headers are configured at the master step level.
When configuring column headers on a new step, several default column headers will display. You can remove these, but the table must have at least one field remaining (this may be set on either the master step or the step).
Expanded view fields are hidden by default in the Sample table. These fields contain additional details about the samples in the Ice Bucket. At run time, choose to display these details by clicking the Show/Hide Details button.
On the Ice Bucket Settings form, in the Expanded View Fields section, you can select additional fields to add to the body of the Sample table.
Note the following:
No default expanded view fields are configured at the master step or the step level.
If expanded view fields are configured at the master step level, they display as locked at the step level and cannot be removed. However, you can modify the order in which the locked fields display.
Expanded view fields are available for display in multiple milestone screens. However, the configuration options set in each milestone are specific to that milestone; you may choose to configure the expanded view fields differently in other milestones.
By default in the Ice Bucket screen, samples are grouped by Container and sorted by well Row.
On the Ice BucketSettings form, in the Defaults section, you can modify these settings if necessary.
The Step Setup screen is an optional screen. By default, it does not display at run time.
This screen lets you provide the lab scientist running the step—and provide Clarity LIMS—with access to files before samples are placed. You can then configure step automations that parse these files and use the information to place samples into destination containers, based on the result file specifications.
If you enable the display of the Step Setup screen (you can enable it on any step type), it displays immediately after the Ice Bucket screen.
The Step Setup Settings screen allows you to do the following:
Add file placeholders that will be populated at run time. Configure these on the master step.
After you have added file placeholders, you can then enable the display of the Step Setup Settings screen at run time. You can configure this on the master step or the step. However, as with all master step settings, if you enable the screen on the master step, it displays on all steps derived from that master step.
Configure the attachment method for each file added—manual or automatic. You may configure this on the master step or the step.
To enable the Step Setup screen, you must first configure one or more file placeholders on the master step.
On the Lab Work tab, in the Master Steps list, select the master step on which you would like to configure the file placeholders.
Select the Step Setup milestone.
In the File Placeholders section, select Add.
Type a name for the file placeholder.
[Optional] You can copy and paste tokens from theTokens list into the name field. For details, see Derived Sample Naming Convention Tokens.
Enter instructional text.
To set the attachment method, select the Attachment toggle switch to set the file attachment method.
If you set the attachment method to Auto, configure a step automation to generate and attach the file. For details, see #add-and-configure-automations.
To remove a file placeholder, select the X button.
On the Lab Work tab, in the Master Steps or Steps list, select the master step or step on which you would like to configure Step Setup file placeholders.
Select the Step Setup milestone.
At the top of the Step Setup Settings screen, select the toggle switch to enable the Step Setup screen. The screen now displays at run time.
When the Step Setup screen is enabled, it becomes available for selection as an automation trigger location. If you configure an automation trigger location on the Step Setup screen, the Step Setup screen cannot be disabled.
When you create a step and choose the Pooling step type, the Pooling milestone is enabled. When running the step, the Pooling screen allows the lab scientist to create pools of samples.
The following components of the Pooling screen are configurable on the Pooling Settings form.
Enable and disable label uniqueness to control whether samples with the same labels, or no labels, may be pooled together. This must be configured on the master step.
Configure defaults for sample grouping and well sort order. You can configure these settings at the master step or step level.
Select the Label Uniqueness toggle switch to turn label uniqueness on and off.
When Label Uniqueness is On (default setting), samples with the same labels cannot be pooled together.
When Label Uniqueness is Off, samples with the same label or no labels may be pooled together.
Save your changes.
On the Pooling screen, by default samples are:
Grouped by Container
Sorted by well Row (A1, A2, A3, and so on)
Placed by Column (A1, B1, C1, and so on)
You can modify these settings if necessary.
The Placement screen is used for QC steps and for steps that generate derived samples. When the screen displays at run time, it allows manual placement of samples into the destination container.
Note the following:
In tube-only workflows, the Placement screen is disabled by default and samples are automatically placed. This is true for all step types, except Add Labels steps, in which a tube rack Placement screen displays to allow for manual placement of samples.
In the following step types, no sample placement occurs. The Placement screen is disabled and it does not display at run time. Analysis steps
Aggregate QC steps
Standard steps where derived sample generation is set to None.
The Placement Settings form allows for the following configuration.
Turn off the Placement screen and have samples placed automatically into corresponding wells of the destination container (source and destination containers must be the same).
Disable the Placement screen so that it does not display at run time and cannot be viewed. You can only do this on QC steps where no sample placement is required—ie, where samples remain in the same container throughout the step. The step cannot have destination containers configured.
Configure the destination containers that are permitted on the step.
Configure the sample placement defaults—grouping, well sort order, placement pattern, and whether to skip alternate rows/columns in the container.
When the Placement Screen toggle switch is enabled, the Placement screen displays at run time. The lab scientist manually places samples into the destination container.
To turn off the Placement screen:
Select the toggle switch to turn off the Placement Screen and enable autoplacement of samples.
At run time, bypass the Placement screen. If necessary, the user can return to the screen (by selecting its tab) to view placement details.
When the Placement Screen is disabled, the milestone label changes to Auto-Placement. However, if the source and destination containers are not of the same type, Clarity LIMS determines that autoplacement cannot occur and reenables manual placement so that samples can be placed.
Destination containers are the containers into which samples are placed at run time. These containers display to the user in a drop-down list on the Ice Bucket screen. The selected container is then used to set up the subsequent Placement screen.
On the Pooling screen, by default samples are:
Grouped by Container
Sorted by well Row (A1, A2, A3, and so on)
Placed by Column (A1, B1, C1, and so on)
Placed into all container wells - no rows or columns are skipped.
You can modify these settings if necessary.
When you create a step and choose the Add Labels step type, the Add Labels milestone is enabled. When running the step, the Add Labels screen allows the lab scientist to add a reagent label (also known as index or molecular barcode) to each sample.
Note the following:
To add a label group to a step, you must have first configured the label group on the Consumables > Labels configuration screen. For details, see #add-and-configure-labels-and-label-groups.
When you create an Add Labels step, the first label group configured in the system is added to the step automatically.
There must be at least one label group defined on either the master step or the step.
You cannot remove the last label group from the step/master step.
You cannot remove label groups added on the master step from the step.
Label groups are listed in alphanumeric order. The order is not modifiable.
The well sorting setting configured on the #configure-placement-milestone is also applied to the Add Labels screen.
Label groups are the only configurable components on the Add Labels Settings form.
The Record Details screen is where data are tracked on the step at run time. It includes information about the step, files generated by or uploaded to the step, e-Signature sign-off (if enabled), and information about the samples in the step.
The following components of the Record Details screen are configurable on the Record Details Settings form:
The step-level information (step data) tracked on the step. You can also change the heading of the step data section, and set a default value for the Group of Defaults configured on the master step.
Step file placeholders for files that is attached to the step at run time, and their attachment method.
The sample-level information tracked and displayed in the Sample table
Electronic signatures - this panel only displays if you have enabled the clarity.eSignature.enabled property.
The Step Data section of the Record Details screen allows you to track and display step-level data at run time, specifically the master step fields associated with the step.
On the Record Details Settings form, you can configure the following:
The heading that displays at the top of the section.
The default value for the Group of Defaults that displays in the upper-right corner of the screen.
The step data fields that display, and the order and layout in which they display. Note the following:
The default heading is 'Step Data Table'.
You are not required to set a default value for the Group of Defaults.
You are not required to add master step fields or multiline text fields.
When step fields and/or multiline text fields are added, they are arranged vertically by default.
As you configure the step data, the Preview area on the right updates to show you how the configuration displays at run time on the Record Details screen.
NOTE: Multiline text fields are much wider than step fields and always display below them on the Record Details screen. For this reason, they are configured separately.
*Groups of defaults and master step fields are defined on the Custom Fields > Master Step Fields configuration screen. For details, see #add-and-configure-custom-fields.
Configuring file placeholders allows you to attach sample measurement files to a step at run time. For example, you may want to attach an instrument input files or sample sheets, a QC measurement file, a log file, run report, or lab tracking form. Files may be manually uploaded or automatically generated and attached using a script. The default attachment method is manual attachment.
Note the following:
Configure step file placeholders on the master step. You cannot configure or modify these at the step level. A lock icon on the Step Settings form indicates this.
Create a placeholder for each file to be attached.
Configure the attachment method—Manual or Auto, at the master step or the step level. If the attachment method is set on the master step, it cannot be changed at the step level (lock icon displays on the Step Settings form).
The default attachment method is Auto.
In the Sample Table section, if the File Column Display is set to Hide, the Attachment toggle switch is set to Auto and is disabled. To manually attach files in the Sample table, the column must be visible.
The attachment method applies to the shared sample measurement files generated. If you need to set the attachment method for individual files generated for each sample, you can use the API to do this. For details, see API Reference.
At the bottom of the Record Details form, the Sample Table section lets you view and track data on your samples at run time.
On the Record Details Settings screen, you can configure the following components of the Record Details screen Sample table:
The table heading. (Default table heading is 'Sample Table'.)
The display of the QC flags field (when this field is enabled, mark samples with a QC pass or fail flag.
The default display of the Sample table listing. The default view is Collapsed - for faster loading time of the sample list.
The table columns that display in the Sample table, and the order in which they display.
The File Options Column and the File Attachment Method toggle switch only display on the Record Details Settings screen on steps that generate measurements. These settings allow you to choose if you want to display a column for sample files and choose how these files are attached to the step (manually or automatically).
Note the following:
You can enable QC flags on any step type that allows you to mark a sample with a pass or fail flag.
By default, QC flags are enabled on Standard QC steps. This setting is locked and cannot be changed.
By default, QC flags are disabled on Analysis steps. This setting is locked and cannot be changed.
Enable QC flags on a No Outputs step to use the step for QC aggregation.
Sample groupings are collapsed by default to optimize screen loading time, but can also be expanded by default.
If the step generates measurements, Sample File Options display. These allow you to choose if you want to view a column for Sample Files and choose how these files are attached (manually or automatically).
When configuring the Sample table:
No default column headers are configured at the master step level.
When configuring column headers on a new step, several default column headers display. You can remove these; however, the table must have at least one field remaining (this may be set on either the master step or the step).
The Sample table displays in multiple milestone screens. However, the configuration options set in each milestone are specific to that milestone; you may choose to configure other milestone Sample tables differently. The unique aspect of the Record Details Sample table is that the derived sample and submitted sample fields can be written to (according to their respective step type).
Clarity LIMS provides the ability to configure a step such that it requires sign-off by electronic signature (eSignature) before it can be completed.
Steps that have eSignature enabled display an eSignature enforcement button on the Record Details screen, and require valid eSignature credentials (username and password) to be entered.
Next Steps cannot be viewed until these credentials have been entered with eSignature signing permission.
Until the step has been completed, any changes made to the step will again require an eSignature sign off.
All eSignature events, successful or not, are recorded with the step and in the audit trail.
The eSignatures Review configuration panel displays on the Record Details Settings screen only if the clarity.eSignature.enabled property is enabled.
If the panel is enabled, you can configure electronic signatures (e-signatures) on a step or master step. This means that samples in the step cannot move forward (Next Steps button is disabled) until an e-signature has been entered with the appropriate role-based permission.
By default, the name of the outputs generated by a step in the LIMS follows the naming convention of the inputs to the step.
When configuring a master step, you can use tokens to configure the naming convention so that it resolves to other unique attributes of the output. These tokens function as placeholders that are replaced with actual values at runtime. For example, for the Standard step type, the default naming convention resolves to the value of the {InputItemName} token (shown below).
The Tokens list provides a list of tokens you can use. You can copy and paste these directly into the Naming Convention text box.
If using multiple tokens, add a space between each entry.
Below the Naming Convention field, you will see a preview of how the token(s) will resolve.
Note that some runtime-specific items, such as dates and times, will not preview exactly as they will resolve at runtime.
NOTE:
Output names are limited to 100 characters. If a name exceeds this limit, the LIMS automatically removes characters from the middle of the name.
To pad a resolved value, add a colon (:) and a whole number to indicate the desired number of digits. For example, if {OutputItemNumber} resolves to 23, {OutputItemNumber:4} will resolve to 0023.
You can use simple tokens that will resolve to system-specified results, such as container location and LIMS ID of an output. These tokens are replaced with the appropriate value of the specified item at runtime. Tokens are case sensitive.
{InputItemName}
The name of the input used to generate the output.
{InputItemNameNoSpaces}
The name of the input used to generate the output, but with spaces removed.
{InputWellLocation}
The location or name of the well where the input resides.
To get a sub-string of the location or name of the well, add a colon (:), and one or two whole numbers to indicate the start index (zero-based, i.e. starts with 0. Inclusive) and end index (Exclusive). {InputWellLocation:<startIndex>,<endIndex>}
Example
If {InputWellLocation} has the value of A:3, the following examples show the derived values with the new format:
Lane {InputWellLocation} -> Lane A:3
Lane {InputWellLocation:0,1} -> Lane A
Lane {InputWellLocation:1,3} -> Lane :3
Lane {InputWellLocation:1} -> Lane :3
{InputContainerIdentifier}
The container identifier in which the input resides.
{InputItemNumber}
The number of the input used to generate the output, such as 7 of 20. You can pad the resolved value to a certain number of digits, and the LIMS will prefix the number with zeros. See note above.
{InputItemTotal}
The total number of inputs used to generate the outputs. You can pad the resolved value to a certain number of digits, and the LIMS will prefix the number with zeros. See note above.
{OutputItemLIMSID}
The LIMS ID of the output.
{OutputItemNumber}
The current output's absolute position within the order of all outputs, such as 9 of 40. You can pad the resolved value to a certain number of digits, and the LIMS will prefix the number with zeros. See note above.
{OutputItemTotal}
The total number of outputs generated. You can pad the resolved value to a certain number of digits, and the LIMS will prefix the number with zeros. See note above.
{OutputItemSubsetNumber}
The current output's relative position within its relative set, such as 1 of 2. You can pad the resolved value to a certain number of digits, and the LIMS will prefix the number with zeros. See note above.
{OutputItemSubsetTotal}
The fixed count of relative outputs per input. You can pad the resolved value to a certain number of digits, and the LIMS will prefix the number with zeros. See note above.
{AppliedReagentLabels}
The type of reagent label applied to the input.
{SubmittedSampleName}
The name of the sample’s related submitted sample - the original parent sample that was submitted to the LIMS.
{ProjectName}
The name of the project that contains the inputs to the step.
{ProcessLIMSID}
The LIMS ID of the step that created the outputs.
{ProcessTechnicianFullName}
The name of the lab scientist who runs the step.
{ProcessTechnicianFirstName}
The first name of the lab scientist who runs the step.
{ProcessTechnicianLastName}
The last name of the lab scientist who runs the step.
{ProcessTechnicianInitials}
The initials of the lab scientist who runs the step.
{DATE:MMM d, yyyy}
The date the step was run, according to the computer's clock.
{LIST:a,b,c}
With this variable, you can specify a comma-delimited list of words that will be used when generating output names. Clarity LIMS will cycle through the words from left to right, applying one word to each output name. When the last word has been used and there are further outputs that require names, Clarity LIMS will restart at the beginning of the list.
Complex tokens provide further flexibility with the use of parameters.
You can combine any alpha-numeric text with simple and complex tokens for highly specialized and unique output names.
When using complex tokens, you must specify parameters that will be used when the token is resolved.
You can only use one LIST and one DATE token per output string, but you can use any combination of parameters within those tokens.
With the DATE token, if you would like to include a word between parameters, enclose the word in single quotes (‘x‘).
Times and dates resolve to the time and date the process was run, according to the computer's clock.
Tokens and parameters are case sensitive.
To modify the information captured on the Record Details screen of a completed step, the CanEditCompletedSteps permission is required. This functionality allows for modifications to correct errors and/or bad data.
The CanEditCompletedSteps permission is not assigned to any user roles by default. A Clarity LIMS administrator must explicitly assign the permission to each user who requires it. See the User Roles and Configured Role-Based Permissions sections for details.
NOTE: Signature is not enforced again when editing completed steps. For recommended best practice, the role with CanEditCompletedSteps permission should be the same role that electronically signs off on steps. See #rules-and-constraints for details.
Users who have been assigned the CanEditCompletedSteps permission see an Edit button on the Assign Next Steps screen of completed steps. Selecting this button takes them to the Record Details screen, where they may modify certain step details.
The following table lists and describes the step details that can be modified:
To ensure the integrity of data, the following rules and constraints are in place when editing a completed step:
Only steps that were completed in Clarity LIMS v5.1 and later are editable. If the system is upgraded to Clarity LIMS v5.1 or later, steps that were completed in a previous version cannot be edited.
Steps that were executed using the API cannot be edited.
If the configuration of a completed step changes after the step was run, it cannot be modified. This constraint includes any changes made to the protocol or workflow in which the step is included.
The automations enabled on the step.
The automation triggers configured on the step.
An automation cannot be rerun on a completed step. The details of the automation command line cannot be viewed.
Manager review/escalation comments on completed steps cannot be edited.
The eSignature is not enforced again when editing completed steps. The eSignature from the original step execution is retained. There is not a prompt for a new signature when editing the step.
On the Assign Next Steps screen of the completed step, select Edit (upper-right corner).
A prompt displays to confirm the desire to proceed and edit the step details.
Select Yes to confirm.
The Record Details screen displays.
Modify the step details as required.
Review your changes and select Save.
Automations (formerly referred to as EPP triggers or automation actions) allow lab scientists to invoke scripts as part of their workflow. These scripts must successfully complete for the lab scientist to proceed to the next step of the workflow.
EPP automation/support is compatible with API v2 r21 and above.
The API documentation includes the terms External Program Integration Plug-in (EPP) and EPP node.
As of BaseSpace Clarity LIMS v5.0, these terms are deprecated. The term EPP has been replaced with automation. EPP node is referred to as the Automation Worker or Automation Worker node. These components are used to trigger and run scripts, typically after lab activities are recorded in the LIMS.
Automations have various uses, including the following:
Workflow enforcement—Makes sure that samples only enter valid protocol steps.
Business logic enforcement—Validates that samples are approved by accounting before work is done on them. This automation can also make sure that selected samples are worked on together.
Automatic file generation—Automates the creation of driver files, sample sheets, or other files specific to your protocol and instrumentation.
Notification—Notifies external systems of lab progress. For example, you can notify Accounting of completed projects so that they can then bill for services rendered.
You can enable automations on master steps in two configuration areas of Clarity LIMS:
On the Automations tab, when adding or configuring an automation. For more information, see #add-and-configure-automations.
On the Lab Work tab, on the master step configuration form. For more information, see #add-and-configure-master-steps-and-steps.
After it is enabled on a master step, the automation becomes available for use on all steps derived from that master step.
You can configure the automation trigger on the master step, or on the steps derived from that master step.
When Clarity LIMS is running scripts via the External Program Plugin mechanism, it is not uncommon for these scripts to rely upon a file that contains information germane to the script. A common example would be using the sample input file generator script that is part of the Lab Instrument Toolkit. This script merges runtime information within a Clarity step into a file whose format is directed by a 'template' file.
Under the old method, template files must be saved to a folder accessible to the automation worker node. Typically
If a script needs a template file, the file is specified by including its full path in the syntax that invokes the script.
As of Clarity LIMS v5.1, template files can (optionally) be attached directly to an automation via the GUI.
We recommend that you use a combination of both methods, as follows.
Use the embedded template while developing the template. During this process, having the template file easily available for editing is helpful. After the template is finalized, move it to the server and adjust the automation command line to use the server path/filename instead of the file token.
This method allows for easy, iterative testing and precise traceability for production work. This method also facilitates reliable migrations involving the config-slicer tool and coordinated movement of associated /customextensions/ files.
Config-slicer does not currently migrate automations that need template files without additional manual manipulation after the configuration migration. Regardless of method, you must manipulate the system manually to complete the migration of the template files.
With Clarity LIMS v6.2 or later, there are two ways to search for items:
—Searches the entire system or within a specific category, like samples, projects, containers, and protocol steps.
—Locates information stored in the system using specific criteria that cannot be defined in Basic Search.
Follow these steps to configure the out-of-the-box QC solution to meet the needs of your lab:
Remove unnecessary QC steps. (See )
Configure master step fields for QC aggregation. (See )
Configure QC evaluation criteria. (See )
Specify QC master step field values to copy up to aggregation. (See )
Clarity LIMS includes preconfigured RNA Initial QC, DNA Initial QC, and Library Validation QC protocols, each containing a sequence of steps. You can modify these protocols, and remove steps that your lab does not use.
On the main menu, click Configure.
On the LIMS configuration screen, click the Lab Work tab.
The Workflow, Protocol, Step, and Master Step navigation panel displays.
In the Protocol list, select the protocol you want to modify.
The Workflow, Protocol, Step, and Master Step navigation panel displays.
To delete a step, select it and click the Delete button.
You cannot remove a step if it contains samples that are currently in progress, or if there are samples queued for it.
In this scenario, you must move the samples before proceeding with the deletion. For details, see .
In the default BaseSpace Clarity LIMS configuration, the Aggregate QC step aggregates the results of all QC steps in the protocol—if they are available.
If a step has been removed from a QC protocol, it is ignored and aggregation still occurs for the remaining steps. No error is generated.
The following flowchart shows the logic behind the default configuration of QC aggregation.
Often, this default configuration is acceptable and there is no need to make any changes. However, you can configure alternate QC master step field values that overwrite these defaults. For example, you may want to:
Make a particular step required for aggregation.
Increase the priority of the results of a particular step – a step whose results are considered more accurate, for example.
Make one/both of the changes listed above, and then lock down values so that users cannot modify them.
The Aggregate QC master step includes a master step field for each QC step to be considered for aggregation.
The value for the QC master step field may be one of two values:
Use if available: If the QC step was run run for a sample, its value will be used in the aggregation calculation; if the QC step was not run, it will be ignored.
Required: The step is required for aggregation. If it has not been run for a sample, the QC value cannot be calculated and aggregation will not proceed.
The default setting for all QC steps is Use if available.
The Required and Use if available master step field values can have an additional (Priority n) suffix.
To be an acceptable value, the value for 'n' may be any value between 1–99, where 1 is the highest priority and 99 is the lowest priority. Master step fields without a priority value defined are assigned a priority of 99.
The default priority value for all QC steps is (Priority 5).
If sample measurements exist for multiple QC steps, all of which have been assigned the same level of priority (as is the case in the default system) the QC flags are evaluated such that any failure results in an overall fail flag for QC aggregation.
Sometimes, however, a particular QC technology may be considered more accurate and you may want its results to take precedence.
For example, a lab may run Bioanalyzer and NanoDrop QC steps on all samples. If one of these steps results in a QC fail, a PicoGreen assay is run on the failed sample and its result is then considered more accurate. In this case, set Bioanalyzer and NanoDrop at priority 5 and PicoGreen at priority 3.
All QC aggregations are logged in an Excel workbook log file and attached to the Aggregate QC step.
Subsequent invocations of the aggregation script results in a new sheet being created in the workbook, in the first sheet position. This new sheet automatically becomes the active sheet.
The best practice method for configuring alternate master step field values for QC aggregation is to create a group of defaults. The fields defined in the group overwrite the default configuration values.
The aggregate QC script treats any custom field that does not begin with 'Copy' as a priority master step field. Therefore, you are restricted from adding fields that are not priority fields. Any new priority fields must contain default values of Required and Use if available.
If you do not want lab scientists to be able to manually edit a master step field value, lock it down by setting the Custom Entries toggle switch to No. At run time, the lab scientist must select a value from the predefined drop-down list.
In the default Clarity LIMS system, each QC master step has two sets of QC evaluation criteria defined. These are displayed in the Record Details screen when the QC step is run.
Each set of criteria comprises three master step fields: Source Data Field, Operator, and Threshold Value.
When the QC protocol step is run, the lab scientist selects from the prepopulated drop-down lists of Source Data Field and Operator values, and then types a numeric value into the Threshold Value field.
You may want to restrict the values available for selection from the Source Data Field and Operator lists, or set default criteria values that cannot be changed.
The best practice method for configuring the criteria used to evaluate QC protocol steps is to create a group of defaults. The master step fields defined in the group overwrite the default configuration values.
In the default Clarity LIMS system, when QC aggregation is executed, the Record Details screen allows lab scientists to (optionally) select one or two master step field values to be copied up from a QC protocol step.
Generally, this is a concentration value.
If necessary, you can specify the master step field values to be copied.
Setting QC master step fields to copy up to aggregation is an optional step. If you do not require this feature, leave the default system as is. Note also that if the Copy task fields are left empty, no values are copied up and no errors are generated. Similarly, if you specify a QC step that has not been run or a field that contains no value, no errors are generated.
Genealogy view is an interactive and hierarchical view of the history of an experiment processed through Clarity LIMS. A genealogy starts with a submitted sample and progresses with nodes nested beneath it. Information is displayed in a hierarchy and shows parent - child relationships between these nodes. For example, a derived sample may be an input to a step that produces derived sample outputs. This sample output is then input to the next step in the workflow.
Genealogy can be used to:
View submitted samples and derived samples, on each step the samples pass through.
Troubleshoot and view the outcome and possible continuous outcomes of each step, including the indented children steps nested within their parent steps.
View QC flags relating to sample measurements.
View custom fields for items in the genealogy.
View and download files.
View and download files.
On the Projects & Samples screen, or using the search toolbar, navigate to a sample.
Projects & Samples screen: Select a project. All samples in the selected project are listed in the Samples & Workflow Assignment section at the bottom of the screen.
Search toolbar: Select Search, then select Sample from the drop-down list . Type a search term into the adjacent field and press the Enter key. You can type the complete search term, or part of it followed by an asterisk. (For details, see .)
Select the sample to open the search results page. If using the search toolbar, the search results page lists submitted samples, derived samples, and measurements that match the search criteria.
Select the genealogy icon next to the submitted sample name. Selecting a derived sample genealogy icon opens a partial genealogy. This provides information from the selected derived sample onwards. A partial genealogy does not show how the selected derived sample was produced, or provide any information about the original submitted sample.
Genealogy starts with a submitted sample, and progresses with additional nodes (steps, derived samples, custom fields, and/or measurements) nested beneath it.
Steps—may be parent or child nodes. Most often, they are parent nodes with child nodes that are derived samples or measurements. The nodes for steps do not contain an icon.
Parent nodes—produce nested child nodes. Select the plus icon to expand the nested child nodes.
Child nodes—listed beneath parent nodes. Select the step minus icon to nest the child nodes beneath the parent node.
Submitted samples—listed at the top of a complete genealogy (not listed with a partial genealogy). Cannot be a child node.
Derived samples—denoted by an Erlenmeyer flask icon, these nodes contain partial genealogies. Can be parent or child nodes.
Custom fields—denoted by an 'i' information icon, these nodes are created by parent nodes with custom field entries. Can be parent or child nodes.
Measurements—denoted by a 'paper file' icon, these nodes represent measurements (typically produced by a QC step). Measurement nodes may also serve as file placeholders. Can be parent or child nodes, but do not produce child nodes.
Genealogy view can be customized to show or hide specific nodes.
Select the plus icon next to a parent node to show the nested hierarchy of child nodes. The plus icon changes to a minus icon.
Inversely, select the minus icon next to a parent node to hide the nested child nodes. Child nodes with identical indentation are siblings.
By default, the genealogy lists parent custom fields nodes, but hides the child nodes.
To expand the child custom fields nodes, select Show All Custom Fields from the pulldown menu in the top-right corner.
Select Hide All Custom Fields to return to the previous view.
Some steps produce numerous measurements and file placeholder nodes. By default, the genealogy lists all file placeholder nodes.
Select Hide All Files from the drop-down menu to hide all placeholders and child nodes.
Select Show Available Files to limit the view to file place holders with attached files.
Select Show All Files to return to the default view.
Genealogy lists additional information in the following areas:
The genealogy information box contains additional information useful to the user.
Select the blue hyperlink text associated with a step name to launch the step screen and view detailed step information in a new browser tab.
Select the blue hyperlink text associated with a measurement node name, or a file placeholder node name, to download an attached file.
Select the blue hyperlink text listed in the LIMS ID column to open a new browser tab, and view the XML representation of the node in the API (requires API access).
Measurement nodes produced by steps that pass required thresholds are denoted by QC flag icons (listed under the QC flag column). To ensure they are visible when child nodes are hidden, QC flags are always shown on the parent measurement node rather than the child node.
The demultiplexing API endpoint is an extension of the existing artifact endpoint. This endpoint demultiplexes artifacts recursively to all individual derived samples that they represent.
For more information, see the API and Database documentation.
In the past, some may have experienced performance and usability issues when demultiplexing large data sets. Clarity LIMS now includes the demultiplexing API endpoint, resulting in performance enhancements that speed up demultiplexing and allow quicker interaction with the data.
While acknowledging that usability is subjective, the Clarity LIMS product and development teams have established usability ratings based on criteria that measure how lab scientists must wait before they can interact with a feature on the screen. These criteria also allow for the comparison of performance and usability across the various screens of Clarity LIMS.
In the following table:
Successful user interaction means that a feature can begin to be interacted with (ie, it can be selected, scrolled, moved, and so on).
Numbers are provided for guidance only, and differ depending on the RAM and CPU speed of the computer used to view the page.
The following table shows how the usability rating changes as the number of samples in the pool undergoing demultiplexing increases.
Replicate(s)The following table defines the terms used in Clarity LIMS and related documentation.
Use an automation with the copyUDFs script and to copy custom fields from a step input to a step output. This example uses the Library Normalization master step, and shows how to copy the Concentration field from the step input samples to the output samples.
On the Lab Work configuration screen, select the Automation tab, then select the Step Automation tab.
Add a new automation.
Name the automation and enter the channel name.
In the Command Line field, copy the following command, replacing the { } placeholders with your own information:
bash -c "/opt/gls/clarity/bin/java -jar /opt/gls/clarity/extensions/ngs-common/v5/EPP/ngs-extensions.jar script:copyUDFs -u {username} -p {password} -i {processURI:v3:http} -f Concentration"
In the Automation Use section, enable the automation on the desired master step (this example uses the Library Normalization master step).
Save the automation.
Return to the Lab Work configuration screen and select the Lab Work tab. In the Master Steps list, select the master step on which you enabled the automation.
In the Automation section, the new automation is listed. Configure as follows:
Trigger Location: Record Details
Trigger Style: Automatic upon entry
NOTE: Automation triggers can be configured at the master step or the step level. If configured on the master step, the trigger settings are locked on all steps derived from that master step.
You can add it as an expanded view field or as a column header (for details, refer to ).
Save your changes.
At run time:
When the Record Details screen is entered, the automation are automatically triggered.
The copyUDFs script runs and copies the Concentration field values from the step input samples to the output samples.
The Queue screen lists the samples that are queued for a step, and provides a table from which samples are selected for placement into the Ice Bucket.
By default, samples listed in the Sample table are grouped by container. Groups are collapsed by default and can be expanded as required by selecting the arrows.
Lab scientists can also choose to group samples by project, submitted sample, or previous step.
In the past, some performance and usability issues were encountered when viewing large data sets in the Queue screen. Clarity LIMS now includes performance enhancements that speed up the Sample table loading time, allowing users to more quickly interact with the data.
Clarity LIMS development teams measured the performance for various samples that are queued for a step with the Time to Interactive (TTI) metric. This metric defines the time it takes for a page to become fully interactive and for functionality to start working (eg, selecting, scrolling, and so on). The metric numbers vary based on the following information:
Server specification.
Amount of data stored on the server database.
Client hardware specifications and the browser type used to access Clarity LIMS.
Network conditions between the server and client.
The following table shows the server and client specifications used for the performance test.
The different client types are used to demonstrate the different setups.
Hardware | Specification | Additional Notes |
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The following tables show the results of two performance tests conducted on a Clarity LIMS system on which performance enhancements had been implemented. In both tests, samples were grouped by container.
The tables show how the usability rating changes as the number of samples in the queue increases.
Test 1 Performance Results
Test 2 Performance Results
See
See
See
Settings saved as part of the master step configuration cannot be configured at step level. On the step configuration form, these settings display with a Locked icon.
Status | What It Means in the Lab | Configuration Implications |
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Field Type | Field Description | Additional Options |
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Return a sample to the queue for a particular step, so that the step can be repeated or requeued (For details, see ).
Search Keyword | Applies To | Notes |
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Milestone settings configured on the master step remain locked on all steps derived from the master step. In this scenario, the milestone displays on the step configuration form with a Locked icon, indicating that these settings are not configurable at the step level.
NOTE: As with all other step settings, if you enable e-signatures on a master step, the setting displays with a Locked icon and is enabled on all steps derived from that master step.
For details, see .
For details, see .
The best practice method of setting master step fields to be copied up to aggregation is to create a group of defaults. For details, see .
Number of Samples | Response Time (seconds) - Client Type A Response Time (seconds) - Client Type B 1000 | Response Time (seconds) - Client Type B |
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Number of Samples | Response Time (seconds) - Client Type A Response Time (seconds) - Client Type B 1000 | Response Time (seconds) - Client Type B |
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Active
These workflows are currently in use - or available for use - in the system.
Samples can be assigned to these workflows so that lab scientists can work on them in Lab View.
Active workflow cannot be modified or deleted.
Protocols in an Active workflow cannot be reordered.
Protocols in an Active workflow can be modified or deleted, and modify their steps.
Active workflow can be made unavailable for use by changing its status to Archived. Samples that are currently queued or in progress for the workflow can complete it, but new samples cannot be added.
When a workflow in Active state is saved, it can only transition to the Archived state.
Pending
These workflows have not yet been activated.
These workflows are not available for use in the lab.
These workflows do not display in Lab View.
Samples cannot be added to these workflows from the Projects and Samples screen.
Pending workflows can be modified, for example, by renaming them, or by adding, modifying, or removing, modifying protocols.
Pending workflows can be activated.
Archived
These workflows are currently not in use in the system.
These workflows do not display in Lab View.
Samples cannot be added to these workflows from the Projects and Samples screen.
Samples that are currently queued or in progress for an Archived workflow can complete it.
After a workflow is saved in Archived state, it can only transition to the Active state.
An Archived workflow cannot be modified or deleted.
In an Archived workflow, protocols cannot be reordered.
QC Protocol?
QC protocols comprise a series of QC steps.
All steps share queue of samples.
Samples do not move sequentially from step to step. Instead, they appear available/unavailable for a particular step based on configured filtering criteria.
Non-QC protocols typically comprise a series of non-QC steps. However, you can include a QC step as part of a Non-QC protocol.
Each step has its own queue of samples.
Samples move sequentially through the steps, until they have completed all steps in the protocol.
Protocol Type
Sample Prep
Library Prep
Sequencing
Data Analysis
Sample Analysis
Other
See Non-QC protocol information in previous row.
Show in Lab View?
No
These protocols are hidden for both lab scientists and administrators in Lab View and are therefore not available for use in the lab.
These protocols are only visible to administrative users in the configuration area.
Yes
These protocols are displayed in Lab View and can be used by lab scientists to perform their work in the lab.
Capacity
The sample capacity of the protocol. This depends on the number of lab scientists in your facility, and the number of samples they can work with at any given time.
The Capacity setting controls the highlighting on the Overview and Projects dashboards, allowing you to see at a glance which protocols are approaching or exceeding sample capacity.
Token
Resolves to
Usage
Example
a
AM/PM marker
The system returns the marker in the same format, regardless of how many times the token is repeated.
If runtime is in the afternoon:
a resolves to PM
H
Hour in day
(24-hour clock)
The number of times you repeat the token determines the minimum number of digits returned, with the system padding the value with zeros if necessary.
If runtime is 11 PM:
H resolves to 23
HHH resolves to 023
h
Hour in AM/PM
(12-hour clock)
The number of times you repeat the token determines the minimum number of digits returned, with the system padding the value with zeros if necessary.
If runtime is 11 PM:
h resolves to 11
hhh resolves to 011
m
Minute in hour
The number of times you repeat the token determines the minimum number of digits returned, with the system padding the value with zeros if necessary.
If runtime is 11:10:
m resolves to 10
mmm resolves to 010
s
Second in minute
The number of times you repeat the token determines the minimum number of digits returned, with the system padding the value with zeros if necessary.
If runtime is 11:10:23:
s resolves to 23
sss resolves to 023
S
Millisecond
The number of times you repeat the token determines the minimum number of digits returned, with the system padding the value with zeros if necessary.
If runtime is 1:10:23:01:
S resolves to 1
SS resolves to 01
z
Time zone - general
One token results in the abbreviated time zone. Four tokens results in the entire name.
If runtime is in the Pacific time zone, during daylight savings:
z resolves to PDT
zzzz resolves to Pacific Daylight Time
Z
Time zone - RFC 822
The system returns the time zone in the same format, regardless of how many times the token is repeated.
If runtime is in the Pacific time zone, during daylight savings:
Z resolves to -0800
Step details
Description
Reagent lots
The reagent lots that were originally used when executing the step can be removed, and new ones added, but at least one lot must be selected. Reagent lots of any status (Pending, Active, Archived) can be used. Archived and expired lots can be selected.
Instruments
A new instrument can be selected. At least one instrument must be used. Instruments of any status (Active, Archived, Expired) can be used. Archived instruments can be selected.
Step custom fields
Step custom fields can be modified with the same constraints as when the step was originally executed (e.g. readonly fields will still be readonly, required fields will still be required).
Sample table custom fields
Sample table custom fields can be modified with the same constraints as when the step was originally executed (e.g. read only fields will still be read only, required fields will still be required). The QC flag can be changed.
Files
Existing files can be removed and new files can be uploaded. Files that are script generated cannot be modified.
-a
--apiUri
REST API base URI (ends with "/api/<version>/") Must be completed as: http://<servername>/api/v2/
-p
--password
LIMS password (required)
-u
--username
LIMS sign-in username (required)
Action
Permission Required
System Administrator and Facility Administrator
Collaborator
Sign in to LabLink
CollaborationsLogin action
Yes
Yes
Manage Project
Projects create, read, update.
Yes
Yes
Manage Sample
Samples create, read, update.
Yes
Yes
Manage User
Users create, read, update.
Yes
No
Manage Configuration
Configuration update
Yes
No
View the Configuration page
AdministerLabLink
Yes
No
View the User Management page
AdministerLabLink
Yes
No
Sign in to ClarityLIMS
Access Lab View and Projects and Samples screen
Access Consumables > Reagents configuration tab; view, edit, and delete reagent lots; add lots to existing kits.
Access Consumables > Controls configuration tab and view control details
Access Consumables > Instruments configuration tab; add, edit, delete, and activate instruments; view instrument types.
Sign In screen
Sorry, you do not have permission to sign in to Clarity LIMS.
Access LIMS Rest API
Sign In screen
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/*
create
Create project
Modify project details
Modify project custom fields
Projects and Samples
New Project button hidden
View project details (read-only)
Note: No permission is needed to upload files to a project
Update
Modify project details
Projects and Samples
Save button disabled (if delete is permitted)
Button menu hidden (if delete is not permitted)
View project details (read-only)
Delete
Delete project containing no samples.
Delete project containing samples (also requires Sample:delete permission)
Projects and Samples
Delete button disabled (if update is permitted)
Button menu hidden (if update is not permitted)
create
Submit/add samples
Upload sample list
Download sample list example
Modify samples.
Projects and Samples
Submit Samples title hidden
Download Example Sample List link hidden
Upload Sample List button hidden
Add Samples button hidden
Modify Samples button renamed Download List
Modify Samples button hidden (sample list)
Sample Management
Sample + button hidden
Update
Modify samples.
Projects and Samples
Modify Samples button renamed Download List
Delete
Delete a submitted sample on Projects and Samples screen, provided no work has been performed on the sample.
Delete a submitted sample in API, provided no work has been performed on the sample.
Projects and Samples
Delete button hidden
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/sample
create
Create control samples.
Controls
New Control button hidden
New Control button hidden
Update
Modify control samples.
Archive control samples (requires both update and delete permissions)
Controls
Save button disabled (if delete is permitted)
Button menu hidden (if delete is not permitted)
View control sample details (read-only)
Delete
Delete control samples.
Archive control samples (requires both update and delete permissions)
Controls
Delete button disabled (if update is permitted)
Button menu hidden (if delete is not permitted)
Archived toggle disabled
create
Create reagent kits
Reagents
New Reagent Kit button hidden
View reagent kit details (read-only)
Update
Modify reagent kits
Archive reagent kits (requires both update and delete permissions)
Reagents
Save button disabled (if delete is permitted)
Button menu hidden (if delete is not permitted)
View kit details (read-only - except for Status)
Delete
Delete reagent kits
Archive reagent kits (requires both update and delete permissions)
Reagents
Delete button disabled (if update is permitted)
Button menu hidden (if delete is not permitted)
Archived toggle disabled
read
View client (researcher/contact) details, including details such as username and roles in API
View users and clients (contacts) on Users and Clients screen
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/roles
create
Create user roles.
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/roles
Update
Modify existing user roles.
Add/remove user role permissions
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/roles
Delete
Delete user roles.
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/roles
read
View project and sample details on the Projects & Samples screen
View lab activities, in-progress steps, and steps that are ready to be worked on in Lab View
read
View users and clients on Users and Clients screen
View client details, including details such as username and roles in API
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/researchers
create
Create users and clients on Users and Clients screen (User:update permission is required to assign permissions to the user)
Send login instructions and password reset emails on Users and Clients screen (either this action or User:update is required)
Create clients in API.
Create user credentials and assign roles in API.
Users and Clients
New User button hidden
View user details (read-only)
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/researchers
Update
Update users and clients on Users and Clients screen
Send sign in instructions and password reset emails on Users and Clients screen (either this action or User:create is required)
Modify client details in API.
Assign role to user in API.
Remove role from user in API.
Save button disabled (if delete is permitted)
Button menu hidden (if delete is not permitted)
View user/client details (read-only)
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/researchers
Delete
Delete users and clients on Users and Clients screen.
Delete a client and associated user in API.
Delete button disabled (if update is permitted)
Button menu hidden (if delete is not permitted)
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/researchers
read
View clients on Users and Clients screen
View client details in API
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/researchers
create
Create clients on Users and Clients screen.
Create clients in API.
Contact:update permission is required to assign permissions to clients.
New User button hidden
View user details (read-only)
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/researchers
Update
Update client details on Users and Clients screen.
Update client details in API.
Assign role to/remove role from client.
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/researchers
This permission does not affect the display of clients in Project and Samples and Sample Accessioning screens.
Delete
Delete clients in API
Delete clients on Users and Clients screen.
Clients with associated user details cannot be deleted
Delete button disabled (if update is permitted)
Button menu hidden (if delete is not permitted)
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/researchers
read
View master steps
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/roles
create
Create master steps.
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/roles
Update
Modify master steps.
403 Forbidden error via http://host/api/roles
read
Access the Overview Dashboard
No Dashboards button
update
Manage all configuration in the LIMS interface (ClarityLogin permission is also required)
Manage configuration in API (APILogin permission is also required)
403 Forbidden error via any URI that begins with http://host/api/configuration.
Requeue a sample in sample search.
Requeue a sample in container search.
Sample and Container Search
Requeue button hidden.
Assign sample to workflow from Projects and Samples screen.
Sample Management
Sample cannot be dragged into workflow widgets.
Workflow selection widget hidden
Workflow lozenge Remove button hidden
Delete workflow button hidden.
Remove sample from queue.
Remove sample from workflow.
Sample Management
Remove from this queue option hidden (if Move to next step is permitted)
Options button hidden (if Move to next step is not permitted)
Move sample to next step in workflow
Sample Management
Move to the next step option hidden (if Remove from this queue is permitted)
Options button hidden (if Remove from this queue is not permitted)
Rework a sample from a previous step.
Sample Management
In Select the next step of the sample drop-down list, Rework from an earlier step option displays.
On Protocol Step Results screen, a button displays to allow the sample to be reworked from an earlier step.
Review escalated samples.
Sample Escalation
Enter Review Comment box enabled.
Sign an eSignature on step completion.
Record Details
Error message in e-Signature popup
Edit button when viewing a completed step.
Select button to edit completed step details on Record Details screen.
Assign Next Steps.
Edit button displays.
Record Details
After clicking Edit button, Record Details fields are editable, as applicable/permitted.
Text
Field in which to type a line of text.
Field length is only limited by the database field used to store it. PostgreSQL limit - 1 Gb, Oracle limit - 4000 characters.
Not applicable
Numeric
Field in which to type a number.
Range From, To
Decimal Places Displayed
Hyperlink
Field containing a link to a website URL. Select the link to open the URL in a web browser.
None
Text Dropdown
Field in which to select from a list of predefined text options.
Custom Entries
Dropdown Items
Numeric Dropdown
Field in which to select from a list of numbers.
Custom Entries
Dropdown Items
Range From, To
Decimal Places Displayed
Hyperlink Dropdown
Field in which to select from a list of website URLs. Select a link to open the URL in a web browser.
Custom Entries
Dropdown Items
Multiline Text
Field in which to type multiple lines of text.
Not applicable
Toggle Switch
A field to toggle between Yes and No values.
None Set (Default)
Yes
No
Date
A calendar tool to select a date.
Not applicable
Range From, To
Use to define the range within which numeric values must fall. At run time, the user is prevented from entering a number outside of the defined range.
Decimal Places Displayed
Use to specify the number of decimal places to display in a numeric field. This value is used for display purposes only. The field stores the value as input by the user or script.
Note: If the user edits the value of a Numeric field (or gives the field focus by selecting inside it), the value that displays— including the number of decimal places, is written to the database, overwriting the existing value. For this reason, we recommend that you increase the number of decimal places to display to ensure sufficient precision.
Dropdown Items
Use to create a list of options to select at run time.
Custom Entries
Use to control whether or not the user may enter a value at run time. If set to No, a value from the predefined drop-down list must be selected. If set to Yes, a value must be entered into the field.
Sample name | Derived and submitted samples |
Derived sample custom fields | Derived samples |
Submitted sample custom fields | Derived and submitted samples |
Container information, container custom fields | Derived and submitted samples | Searchable information includes container name, container type, and well information. |
Project information, project custom fields | Derived and submitted samples | Searchable information includes project name, project owner, and account name. |
Workflow name | Derived and submitted samples | Search on a workflow name to find the samples included in that workflow. |
Usability Rating | Criteria |
Good | A successful user interaction (data load) in ~ 2 seconds |
Reasonable | A successful user interaction (data load) in ~ 6 seconds |
Acceptable | A successful user interaction (data load) in ~ 9 seconds |
Degraded | A successful user interaction (data load) in ~ 20 seconds |
Unusable | A subjective limit to usability |
Usability Rating | # Samples |
Good | 2200 - 2400 |
Reasonable | 3400 - 3600 |
Acceptable | 4600 - 5800 |
Degraded | 7200 - 7400 |
Server | 3.1 GHz Intel Xeon Platinum processor (8-core) 32 GB RAM Oracle Linux v8.8 PostgreSQL 15.2 database | The server database is loaded with the following information:
|
Client A | 3.1 GHz Intel Xeon Platinum processor (8-core) 32 GB RAM | Access Clarity LIMS within the same network in the lab. |
Client B | 2.3 GHz Intel Core i9 (8-core) 32 GB RAM | Access Clarity LIMS on the cloud. The VPN access and different network region setup results in high network latency and demonstrates the worst case for performance. |
1000 | 2.0 | 4.5 |
3000 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
7000 | 3.5 | 6.5 |
10,000 | 5.0 | 7.5 |
15,000 | 7.0 | 10.5 |
20,000 | 9.0 | 12.5 |
1000 | 2.0 | 4.5 |
3000 | 3.0 | 5.5 |
7000 | 5.0 | 7.5 |
10,000 | 7.0 | 9.5 |
15,000 | 9.5 | 12.5 |
20,000 | 12.5 | 15.0 |
Standard
Standard QC
Aggregate QC
Add Labels
Pooling
Analysis
Demultiplexing
Account | Not fully supported in Clarity LIMS v5.x and later. Support is planned for a future release. A workaround is to create an account quickly from the Projects and Samples screen. An organization with which the facility conducts business. Includes account address, client names, and other information. Associate clients with their applicable account (see Client). NOTE: In Clarity LIMS v2.1, the term labs was replaced with accounts. However, the API resource is still called lab. |
Aggregation | See QC Aggregation. |
Analyte | See Derived Sample. As of Clarity LIMS v5.0, this term is deprecated. However, the API resource is still called analyte. |
Artifact | A generic term for an item at the beginning of a step generated by an earlier step. A derived sample or measurement is a type of artifact. NOTE: In the Clarity LIMS user interface, the term artifact has been replaced with derived sample or measurement. However, the API resource is still called artifact. |
Automation | Used to trigger scripts from the Clarity LIMS user interface. An automation can be configured for steps and for derived samples. |
Automation worker | A software component that runs automation. May be installed on the same server as Clarity LIMS or on several other machines that all draw from the queues of one Clarity LIMS instance. |
Batch processing | Operations performed on more than one object at a time. For example, adding multiple samples to the system, rather than adding them individually. |
BClarity LIMS | The main web client used by lab scientists, lab managers, and system administrators to complete the following tasks:
|
Client | An individual within the laboratory, or an external individual who works with the laboratory, who is directly associated with a project in Clarity LIMS. NOTE: n the Clarity LIMS user interface, the term contact has been replaced with client. However, the API permission is still called contact. |
Cloud hosted deployment | Clarity LIMS deployed with Illumina automation scripts to the Illumina Amazon AWS environment. |
Collaborator | Clarity LIMS user role assigned to external customers or other individuals who submit samples to Clarity LIMS. |
Contact | See Client. |
Custom field (formerly UDF) | A field that Clarity LIMS administrators can add to the interface to collect information for a sample (or group of samples), master step, step, client, account, or container. For example, the administrator may wish to add a field to record whether a sample is toxic or safe to handle. |
Derived sample | A sample that was generated (output) by a step. All derived samples trace back to submitted samples. By default, a step generates one derived sample. Configure some step types to output multiple derived samples (also referred to as derivatives) |
Derivative | One of multiple samples generated by a step. See Derived Sample. |
External Program Integration Plug-in (EPP) | See Automation. As of Clarity LIMS v5.0, this term is deprecated. However, some of the API documentation may still refer to EPP. |
EPP node | See Automation worker. As of Clarity LIMS v5.0, this term is deprecated. However, some of the API documentation may still refer to EPP node. |
Export | To copy a file and place it on the hard disk drive or in another piece of software. |
File placeholder (formerly shared ResultFile) | A placeholder configured on a step that is replaced by a file at a run time. The file may be automatically generated or manually uploaded. |
Group of defaults | A collection of prepopulated master step fields that define values for step data at run time. This eliminates the need to manually enter and make sure that information is recorded correctly every time a step is run. Groups of defaults are configured on the Custom Fields > Master Step Fields tab. |
Import | To bring a file into Clarity LIMS and attach it to a placeholder or step. |
Index | See Reagent Label and Label Group. |
Input | An item that is consumed, processed, or analyzed by a step. |
Label Also referred to as Reagent Label | Also referred to as reagent type, index, or molecular barcode. Add a label group for each reagent category used in the lab, and then add labels to the groups. Each label represents a reagent type within the group/category. See also Label Group. |
Label group | A reagent category. Add a label group for each reagent category used in the lab then add labels to the groups. Each label represents a reagent type within the group or category. See also Label. |
LIMS ID | A unique identifier assigned to all assets (samples, projects, containers, steps, and so on) in Clarity LIMS.
|
Master step (formerly process type) | A technique or procedure performed on a sample. To be considered a master step in Clarity LIMS, the technique/procedure must be created and configured as such, and must have an input (not all steps have an output). Master steps are created and configured on the Lab Work configuration screen. These master steps act as templates from which individual steps are created and configured. |
Measurement (formerly ResultFile) | Data that is generated during a step for each sample input to the step. Measurements can either be data written to measurement fields and/or files attached to the step inputs. |
On premise deployment | Clarity LIMS deployed to your on-premise server or another non-Illumina cloud hosted environment, such as your own Amazon AWS environment. |
Parse | The process of analyzing an input file and displaying it in Clarity LIMS. |
Plug-in | A software component or module that adds functionality to a software program. |
Preset | See Group of Defaults. As of Clarity LIMS v5.0 this term is deprecated. |
Process | See step. As of Clarity LIMS v5.0, this term is deprecated. However, the API resource is still called process. |
Process type | See Master step. As of Clarity LIMS v5.0, this term is deprecated. However, the API resource is still called process. |
Project | Clarity LIMS uses projects as the basis for all work performed in the system. A project stores the information about the user who created it, the account and client with which they are associated, samples submitted to the project, significant dates, associated files, and so on. When adding samples to Clarity LIMS, they must add them to a project. |
Protocol | In Clarity LIMS, a protocol is a set of steps that must be performed in a specific sequence, as part of a lab workflow. |
QC aggregation | QC aggregation refers to a configured step that assembles sample QC measurements, evaluates them based on priority, determines overall QC results, and then assigns QC flags. |
Queue | Queues allow the grouping of a collection of samples that are all waiting to be processed at a specific stage (protocol) in the lab workflow. |
Reagent label | See Label. |
Replicate(s) | See Derivative. As of Clarity LIMS v5.0, this term is deprecated. |
Resultfile | See Measurements and File Placeholders. As of Clarity LIMS v5.0, this term is deprecated. However, some of the API documentation may still refer to ResultFile outputs. |
Researcher | A role that can be assigned to a user in Clarity LIMS. Typically, the researcher role is assigned to laboratory scientists who use Clarity LIMS to manage and record their work as samples are processed in the lab. |
Step | A lab procedure that has been configured and included as part of a protocol. All steps have a master step as their foundation. |
Step type |
Submitted sample | The original sample that is added to a project in Clarity LIMS. |
Timestamp | The dates and times associated with a file. |
User | An individual within the laboratory or an external individual who works with the laboratory and has access to the Clarity LIMS system. Because each step performed in Clarity LIMS is associated with a user, you can use this feature to track work through the lab. |
User-defined field (UDF) | See Custom Fields. As of Clarity LIMS v5.0, this term is deprecated. However, the API resource is still called UDF and some API documentation may still refer to UDFs. |
Workflow | A set of protocols arranged in a sequence that corresponds to how work is performed in the lab. |
In Clarity LIMS, steps and master steps are categorized based on the requirements and goals of the step, its inputs, and its outputs. For details, see .