Opentrons Integration

Overview

Opentrons is a Python-based lab automation platform for Flex and OT-2 robots. Write Protocol API v2 protocols for liquid handling, control hardware modules (heater-shaker, thermocycler), manage labware, for automated pipetting workflows.

When to Use This Skill

This skill should be used when:

• Writing Opentrons Protocol API v2 protocols in Python
• Automating liquid handling workflows on Flex or OT-2 robots
• Controlling hardware modules (temperature, magnetic, heater-shaker, thermocycler)
• Setting up labware configurations and deck layouts
• Implementing complex pipetting operations (serial dilutions, plate replication, PCR setup)
• Managing tip usage and optimizing protocol efficiency
• Working with multi-channel pipettes for 96-well plate operations
• Simulating and testing protocols before robot execution

Core Capabilities

1. Protocol Structure and Metadata

Every Opentrons protocol follows a standard structure:

from opentrons import protocol_api

# Metadata
metadata = {
    'protocolName': 'My Protocol',
    'author': 'Name <email@example.com>',
    'description': 'Protocol description',
    'apiLevel': '2.19'  # Use latest available API version
}

# Requirements (optional)
requirements = {
    'robotType': 'Flex',  # or 'OT-2'
    'apiLevel': '2.19'
}

# Run function
def run(protocol: protocol_api.ProtocolContext):
    # Protocol commands go here
    pass

Key elements:

• Import protocol_api from opentrons
• Define metadata dict with protocolName, author, description, apiLevel
• Optional requirements dict for robot type and API version
• Implement run() function receiving ProtocolContext as parameter
• All protocol logic goes inside the run() function

2. Loading Hardware

Loading Instruments (Pipettes):