Sample Pooling

Sample Pooling Mode supports up to 5 samples assigned per plate well

Each pooled sample is automatically assigned a Proxy ID, which is used to track the samples in the well throughout the workflow (across instruments and plate transfers)

Proxy status

Each well has a Proxy Status to track if it is being used by the current pooled run

Status	Explanation
ACTIVE	One or more samples are loaded
INACTIVE	No samples are loaded

Controls

Experimental controls are used to ensure the validity of the analytic results for all PCR workflows

During the accession step, both controls (NC and PC) are automatically assigned plate positions to streamline experimental setup

Control ID	Explanation	Position
NC	Negative control	H11
PC	Positive control	H12

Control IDs

Experimental controls are not assigned a Proxy ID because they are not mapped to other samples

Controls are always be displayed and tracked using the NC and PC values

Loading Controls

Load the experimental controls to their corresponding wells:

Negative Control

NC represents the negative experimental control

Load well H11 with the negative experimental control, represented by NC

Positive Control

PC represents the positive experimental control

Load well H12 with the positive experimental control, represented by PC

Invalid Controls

If the result values for one or both experimental controls do not match their acceptable range, refer to the documentation provided by the test manufacturer for guidance.

Pooled Workflow Steps

Pooled workflow steps are similar to standard workflow steps, they just use proxy IDs to represent the sample set assigned to each well.

Step	Process	Purpose
Accession	Sample IDs are scanned into the system and loaded to a grid as a batch	Unpacking the samples from transport containers
Plate 1	Batch is transferred to plate using layout created in accession step	Preparation
Elution	Batch is transferred to another plate	Extraction and washing
PCR	The plate map is exported from the system to a Diagnostic Device to perform the PCR test.	Amplification
Results Upload	Upload the run file from the diagnostic device	Interpret value thresholds
Results Review	Lab technicians approve and confirm results	Send test results

Pooled Workflow Result Interpretation

Pooled workflows use Ct cutoff values for interpretation

Interpretation thresholds are defined by the test's clinical documentation

Example interpretation guidance for reference:

Applied Biosystems TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit

COVID-19 Assay Ct cutoff values

Sample or Control	Target	Ct cutoff
Positive Control	MS2 Viral targets	Valid Ct values are >37 Valid Ct values are ≤32
Negative Control	MS2 Viral targets	Valid Ct values are ≤32 Valid Ct values are >37
Clinical samples	MS2 Viral targets	Valid Ct values are ≤32 [1] Positive Ct values are ≤37
[1] If any of the viral targets is positive, the Ct for MS2 can be >32
SOURCE: TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit - Instructions for Use

Not Detected = okay to send results

Proxy IDs with NEGATIVE results can be sent out during pooled workflows. Any samples that are associated with a proxy ID that tests negative are not required to be retested in another run.

Detected = must retest samples individually

Proxy IDs with POSITIVE results cannot be sent out during pooled workflows. Any samples that are associated with a proxy ID that tests positive must be retested in another run.