How to order oligonucleotides from Fisher/Operon:

As per existing procedures, create a Word file for each oligo you order and place it in the Oligos folder in the Ron_Lab. Note that the file name should correspond exactly to the name of the oligo as it appears on the order. This has important implications, as the oligo name cannot contain commas, periods, apostrophes, or blank spaces:
(e.g. mATF4.17S is not OK but mATF4*17S is OK)

Toggle to the “Form view”. Click on “New” and fill out a new form.

Most fields are obvious, but please pay attention to the details of the oligo name; it should correspond precisely to the name you provide Fisher when ordering the oligo. The oligo length will be self-generating (the program counts letters), but you must choose the Scale of synthesis. The program will calculate the oligo’s cost. Copy that number to the cost field. Be sure to choose your name  from the dropdown menu.

The Description field can be left unfilled. Later, if you have problems with the oligo, you may, as a gesture to others, note the relevant details here.
The Oligo Box and Location fields are critical for future tracking of the oligo and must be filled in manually as described below.

From the form view, toggle to the List View:

Fill in the Box number and position number (No.) of the oligos you are ordering. The Box is a self generating dropdown menu but you have to type in the position number consecutively. If, later, when the oligos arrive you learn the position you thought free is occupied, enter the true position of the oligo here.

From this view, it is now convenient to input the information (by copy and paste) into the Fisher web-based ordering system (see below). The process is complete, when you have copied the Confirmation # number of the Fisher order and today’s Date into the FileMaker data base.

When the oligos arrive, verify that the position you had assigned the oligo in the box is indeed available. If you need to change the assignment, make sure you enter the change into FileMaker database. Then label the top of each original oligo tube with its correctly assigned Box number and position No.

Keep a copy of the spec sheets for your records and give one to me (David). Give the packing slip to Miho.

INTERFACING WITH THE FISHER WEBSITE:

4) Log on to the website (www.fisheroligo.com). Enter the username: XXXXXX and password: XXXXX. Pay special attention to the scale of the synthesis, as this affects the price (most orders are for 10nmole scale).

5) Enter the PO number (XXXXXX) into the appropriate field and click “send”. A confirmation number will appear. Copy that number and today’s date into the FileMaker Pro7 file.

6) The system notifies me (David) by e-mail that an oligo order has been placed. To be sure your order has gone through, ask if the notification was or was not received.

July 28, 2007