Our ongoing series Life of a Sample explores what happens behind the scenes at WETLAB.  If you missed part one, two, or three, check them out here!

The next step for our samples life cycle is analysis, which takes around four days, depending on the method.  Analysis starts with batch prepping the samples and preparing the instrument.  All daily required instrument maintenance is also preformed during this step.  All reagents and standards are logged here, and will later be used to monitor for QA/QC and determine accuracy.  When the batches and machines are prepped, the samples are run through analysis.  During this time, all quality control samples are monitored to ensure that the machines are functioning properly and there are no problems with analysis.  If any issues or unexpected results appear, analysts will trouble shoot all instruments and samples.  Samples that do not meet acceptance criteria are then re-run.  Potential problems can arise when samples have complicated matrices, which can cause equipment malfunctions. Once our samples are done in the analysis stage, it’s on to data entry.

A few of WETLAB’s state of the art analysis instruments.