Lab workflows
Record a transfer
A Transfer in xPlant records when an Explant is moved, replated, or subcultured, including work that occurs between Stages or within the same Stage. Each Transfer creates a dated record that can capture the transfer cycle, from and to locations or rooms, Media Recipe, vessel count or target density,
What counts as a transfer?
Moving between stages
If an Explant is transferred as it moves from one Stage to another, record the Transfer for the culture-handling event and record the new Stage separately. This keeps movement and subculture history distinct from Stage history.
Splitting cultures during subculture
When a subculture produces multiple resulting explants, record the transfer so each resulting culture can continue with its own history and label.
Routine subculture
A transfer can also record a subculture that remains in the same stage, such as another Multiplication cycle. This keeps each culture cycle visible in the explant's history.
Recording a past transfer
If a transfer has already taken place, use the date the transfer actually occurred rather than the date you enter it into xPlant. This keeps the explant's history in the correct sequence.
How to record a transfer
Start a transfer from the Transfers section or from an explant's record. Enter the transfer details, then save the record to add it to the explant's history.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Source Explant | The Explant being transferred |
| Transfer Date | When the transfer took place |
| Transfer Cycle | The culture's transfer or subculture cycle |
| From Location / Room | Where the culture came from |
| To Location / Room | Where the culture is going |
| Media Recipe | Optional: the medium used for the Transfer or subculture |
| Vessel Count | Optional: the number of resulting vessels when using a split Transfer |
| Target Density | Optional: the intended density when splitting a culture |
| Reason | Optional: why the Transfer, replate, or subculture occurred |
| Reason Details | Optional additional context for the reason |
| Notes | Observations or other context from the Transfer |
Transfers vs adding a stage directly
A stage update and a transfer record different kinds of history. Use a transfer when culture material is actually being transferred or subcultured. Use a stage entry when you only need to record a stage or status change without documenting a transfer event.
- Update a plant record, where transfer tracking does not apply
- Record a stage or status change without a transfer
- Add historical stage information when transfer details are unavailable
Use a Transfer when you want to preserve the details of a culture-handling event, such as the date, cycle, locations, Media Recipe, transfer reason, vessel context, notes, and any resulting Explants created by a split.
Tip: recording repeated transfers
When several Explants are transferred as part of the same workflow, record Media Recipe, transfer reason, and location context consistently while keeping Explant-specific observations and split results with each Transfer. Record any SOP execution separately so its run status and timestamps remain accurate.