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Labeling conventions

Experiments

  • Name all your experiments serially starting with 1.
  • Include experiment number in all data file and analysis folder names associated with the experiment. For example, see file names here.

Samples

  • Label all samples associated with the experiment as 1P1, 10M2 and so on. For example, 10M2.3 refers to 10 th experiment, M onosome fraction, 2 nd sample, 3 rd aliquot.
  • First number is the experiment number.
  • Middle alphabet is a code for the type of sample (eg. P for PCR, M for monosome fraction, L for ligation etc.). You can come up with your own mnemonic for this.
  • Number following the alphabet is the sample number within that set. For example, if you have 3 treatment conditions, label them as 1,2,3 etc.
  • You can optionally add a suffix 'A, B, C' or '.1,.2,.3' if you have multiple aliquots or replicates of the same sample.
  • Use this label on Eppendorf tubes, and note the list of samples in your lab record for that experiment.
  • For further examples, see in the two experiment links in this issue.

Cell Lines / Strains

  • Name cell lines and strains as hsAS1, ecAS3, scAS4 etc.

    • The first two letters are the initials of the scientific name for the organism: hs - Homo sapiens, ec - Escherichia coli, sc - Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
    • The third and fourth letters are your initials.
    • The final number is a serial number starting at 1 (separate for every lab member).
    • Add .1, .2, .3 suffixes if you have multiple clones or vials of the same genotype.

Plasmids

  • Plasmids are named as pASEC1, pASSC3 etc.

    • The first two letters following 'p' are your initials.
    • The third and fourth letters following 'p' are the initials of the scientific name for the organism that will be final host for the vector: EC - Escherichia coli, SC - Saccharomyces cerevisiae, HS - Homo sapiens.
    • The final number is a serial number starting at 1 (separate for every lab member).
    • Add .1, .2, .3 suffixes if you have multiple biological or technical replicates of the same plasmid.

Oligos

  • Oligos are named as oAS1, oAS30 etc.

    • The first two letters following 'o' are your initials.
    • The number at the end is a serial number starting at 1 (separate for every lab member).
    • Add .1, .2, .3 suffixes if you have multiple tubes of the same oligo.

For examples of naming cell lines, plasmids and oligos, see the lab database.