---
title: Shasta Software - Release Notes - V. 2.5.3
description: The release notes for Shasta software version 2.5.3
---

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August 8, 2025

# Shasta Software - Release Notes - V. 2.5.3

## Shasta v2.5.3 is a cumulative release that includes all enhancements and fixes from versions 2.3.0 through 2.5.3.

 

---

#### 🚀 **New in v2.5.3**

- **Sequence Editor Fix**: Resolved issue preventing column numbers \>24 from being entered.
- **UI Default Behavior**: "Add ACN to completed wells" now defaults to OFF.
- **Custom Amidite Naming**: Allowed “-” in custom amidite names; removed it as a reserved modifier.
- **Post-Synthesis Plate Movement**: Plate now moves to neutral position (100,100) after synthesis to avoid tip drips.
- **New Plate Type**: Introduced "2x96v2" plate type with adjusted gap spacing.
- **Dual-Plate Handling**:
  
    - 2x96: 3-column gap (2700mm) – unchanged.
    - 2x96v2: 6-column gap (5400mm) – new.
    - 2x384: 11-column gap (4950mm) – increased from 6 columns.
    - Plate offset calibration now uses gap columns, not X-offset.
- **Naming Flexibility**: Reagents and Protocols now support “-” in names for Mix and Specials.
- **Protocol Detail Loading Fix**: Resolved issue with details not loading in Run Synthesis screen.
- **Security Update**: Removed support for NetBIOS computer names due to Microsoft deprecation.
- **64-Well Plate Support**:
  
    - Added 64-well plate option in Configuration and Run Synthesis screens.
    - Implemented unique vertical drain group pattern:  
      `1, 5, 9, 13, 3, 7, 11, 15, 2, 6, 10, 14, 4, 8, 12, 16`
    - Adjusted Manual Control and Map Protocol UIs with A–P drain labels for 64-well.
    - Drains 14–16 hidden for 52-well plates.

---

#### 🛠 **Enhancements in v2.4.3**

- Prevented unnecessary motion on startup for CE certification.
- Default configuration values now auto-populate in new databases.
- Increased max X-controller position from 35,000 → 40,000.
- Fixed 384-well split dispense logic.

---

#### 🧪 **Enhancements in v2.4.2**

- **Mixing Amidites**: Enabled creation and synthesis handling of special mixed amidites.
- **Dispensing Logic**: Equal volume distribution with rounding for mixed amidites.

---

#### ⚙️ **Enhancements in v2.4.1**

- Allowed separate sequence loading for left/right plates in dual setups.
- Improved drain group logic for readiness during Map-based dispenses.
- Protocol logic updates:
  
    - Pulse, Hold, and Drain steps can now be set to 0.
    - Zero drain values now treated as pulses.
- Logging and encoding improvements:
  
    - Added version ID to logs.
    - Converted logs to UTF-8 for symbol compatibility.
- Drain group readiness now logged during dispensing.
- Added pause after dispense cycles to reduce thread race conditions.
- Bug fixes: negative dispense time error, 4-digit volume display, leak abort loop.
- UI and naming flexibility:
  
    - Support for custom amidite names (e.g., ABG\[12\]JXY\[TEST\]P1).
    - Reagent-only dropdowns in Backbone Mod and Protocol editors.
    - Zero-volume dispenses now skipped completely.
- Priming logic changed from time-based to volume-based (default 100µL).
- Lid sensor handling:
  
    - Added Prox status checks.
    - Movement restricted when lid is open.
    - Dispenses allowed regardless of tip location if lid is open.

---

#### 📦 **Enhancements in v2.3.4**

- Draggable reagent/amidite order customization.
- Volume estimation and synthesis logs now reflect user-defined order.
- Revamped Sequence Editor UI with multi-sequence view and batch editing.

---

#### 🔬 **Enhancements in v2.3.3**

- Added customizable Backbone Modification symbols.
- Supported new symbol handling in Sequence Editor and Run Synthesis.

---

#### 🧯 **Enhancements in v2.3.2**

- Fixed 52-well plate dispense pattern.

---

#### 🔧 **Enhancements in v2.3.1**

- Made swap symbol placement more flexible around amidite brackets.
- Fixed incorrect labeling on Priming screen (tip #58 showed tip #59’s reagent).

---

#### 🧪 **Enhancements in v2.3.0**

- Introduced 52-well plate support across Configuration, Manual Control, and Run Synthesis.
- Enabled 4-digit dispense volumes (up to 9999µL).

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