Protocol Library¶
The Opentrons Protocol Library hosts protocols authored either by Opentrons itself or by members of the Opentrons community. To find a protocol that fits your target application, use the search field at the top of the Protocol Library homepage.
You can also browse protocols by categories, like DNA/RNA, cell biology, cell and tissue culture, proteins, commercial assay kits, or molecular biology. There's even a category for protocols that create art by pipetting! Take some time to check out the protocols in our library. Understanding what's available—and making some cool pixel art—is a great way to learn about the features and capabilities of your robot before moving on to using real samples and reagents.
Searching for protocols¶
The Protocol Library search returns results as you type. You can select a result from the search list or click View All Results to go to the full results page, which shows more details about each protocol and lets you filter them based on several criteria.
Each protocol card will show:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Protocol name | The name of the protocol. |
| Verification | Badges indicate if the protocol is verified by Opentrons, a third-party manufacturer, or members of the community. |
| Time estimate | Approximately how long the protocol takes to run. |
| Description | A short summary of what the protocol does. |
| Robot model | Which Opentrons robots the protocol is compatible with. |
| Protocol editability | JSON protocols are editable in Protocol Designer, with no coding required. Python protocols are editable in any text editor, using the Python Protocol API. |
| Modules | Any hardware modules that are required. |
In addition to these categories, in the sidebar you can filter results by:
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Pipettes: Which pipettes the protocol uses (you can usually change a protocol's pipettes, but it may affect the run time and the number of tips consumed).
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Categories: Target applications, like DNA/RNA, cell biology, proteins, etc.
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Protocol version: Show or hide older versions of protocols.
Protocol details¶
Click on a protocol to go to its detail page, which provides even more information. In addition to what is shown in search, here you can see:
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Supporting data: Additional data, explanations, or links to outside sources provided by the protocol author.
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What you'll need: A complete list of all equipment needed for the protocol, including the robot, modules, labware, pipettes, and third-party kits.
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Protocol steps: A list of steps written by the protocol author, as well as a visual deck map and list of liquids specified in the protocol file.
The details page also provides basic instructions for downloading and running the protocol. For more information on importing a protocol to the Opentrons App and setting up a run, see the Transferring Protocols to Flex section.