Jessica Henley CIRES Fierer Lab Freezer Inventory Jessica Henley CIRES Fierer Lab Intro self Our lab has various types of env samples. Air filters, dust swabs/tapes, insects, plant tissue/roots, soil

Environmental Sample Nightmare Various types of env samples leads to a sample storage nightmare. Inventorying software available is more designed for medical samples- samples of set sizes

Start with the easiest Started with processed samples- gDNA Racks for plates and boxes of tubes Simple Excel spreadsheet listing contents

gDNA Freezer - Easy to put together & maneuver - Check for labeling - Freezer Racks for -20C - No barcodes yet - No links to metadata Pros -easy to put in place -double check for adequate labeling -sufficient for small number of freezers -easy to maneuver large amounts of samples at once Cons -few options for freezer racks that fit -20 freezer -not barcoded yet – would have to thaw out to do this, still need software -no links to metadata

Unprocessed Samples Started out by binning project samples Pros Inexpensive Easier to find, keep track of. Sturdier than the bags previously used Cons Still not sorted within bin. No link to metadata. Requires more individual effort, which can be difficult to get

Sample Storage Various sample types Samples sent from collaborators Field collection restrictions For future, getting samples into uniform containers would be best Difficulties -different sample types -collaborators unaware, unable -restrictions during collection, initial processing Necessary PI support and direction TIME to process samples at start of project Pros Less ‘extra’ sample in freezers Better labeling Able to barcode at beginning- link to metadata, project info, researcher

Future Plans Develop inventory program specific to our research samples Barcodes for new gDNA plates/samples Build in time necessary for organizing samples Suggestions?