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Setting up a Screen |
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 A screen is defined by
clicking on the Screen tab and then selecting Create Screen Table from the Edit menu. A pop-up box appears
in which the user can define the number of components that will make up the screen. In addition, the user defines the number of
wells in the screen, the volume in each well (in ml) and the amount of mixing desired. Clicking on
Create produces a blank screen table in the lower half of the interface. The user is then able to define for each row
(representing a single well) the various components that will make up the final solution in that well. Components are selected
from pull down menus that are hidden until the field is selected. The options within the menu are derived directly from the
Lab Resources section, so if a component is missing, the Lab Master must contacted to add it to the resources section. The user
also defines the desired final concentration (including units).
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Many columns in the screen table are not editable. In particular, the volumes of each component are not to be entered by the user. The volumes necessary to dilute the stock solution to the final concentration are automatically calculated by Well. At any time, the user may select Calculate Volume from the Edit menu. This command automatically determines the volume of each stock solution necessary in addition to the volume of water necessary to reached the desired final volume (please note that the columns will not turn yellow in Well, but are highlighted here to draw attention). Well is able to calculate the necessary volume only if conentrations of the stock and final components are in the same (or related) values. Asking Well to convert from a stock solution in mM to a final concentration in a % will result in an error message being generated. Often, it becomes necessary to add additional components to a screen after it has been created. The Add Component into Screen Table allows the user to modify a screen at any point, adding additional buffers, additives, etc. |
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As with any computer application, when entering components, make sure to Save Screen periodically. Once the screen has been completed, it is still possible to add or remove rows manually, using the Add Row into Screen Table and the Remove Row from Screen Table options. Delete the Screen Table does exactly what it's name implies, so be careful with this one. Often, screens will turn out to be reiterations of previous screens with a few modifications. The user is able to change any component(s) within a screen and Save As New Variant. The modified screen is automatically given a new database number. The identity of the parent screen is captured in the Parent Screen No. field in the General panel, allowing users to track related screens. |