About The Sealer; Loading The Taqman Low Density Arrays - Applied Biosystems 7900HT User Manual

Chapter 4 Operating the Instrument

About the Sealer

Sealer
Components
Laboratory Setup

Loading the TaqMan Low Density Arrays

Equipment and
Materials Needed
Guidelines for
Loading the
Cards
4-14 Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System and SDS Enterprise Database User Guide
September 1, 2004 11:39 am, CH_Basic.fm
The microfluidic card sealer is required to isolate the wells of the Low Density Array
after it is loaded with cDNA samples or controls and master mix. The sealer uses a
precision stylus assembly (carriage) to seal the main fluid distribution channels of the
Low Density Array.
Used to move the carriage,
which contains the stylus
assembly
Figure 4-9 Sealer Components (Shown with Cover Removed)
The microfluidic card sealer is designed to be placed on a standard laboratory bench.
It requires no electrical power.
You need the following equipment and materials to load the sample-specific PCR
reaction mix into the fill reservoirs of the Low Density Arrays:
• Rainin F-100 micropipette (100-µL)
• Rainin Fine Point pipet tips (100-µL)
• TaqMan Low Density Array(s)
• Sample-specific PCR reaction mix (see the protocol accompanying your Low
Density Array chemistry for instructions on preparing the reaction mix)
Follow the guidelines below to ensure proper loading of the Low Density Arrays.
• Do not remove a Low Density Array from its packaging until the packaging has
reached room temperature and you are ready to load it with the sample-specific
PCR reaction mix.
Prolonged exposure to indoor lighting can photo-degrade the
IMPORTANT!
fluorescent probes contained inside the Low Density Array. Do not expose the
Low Density Array to sunlight.
• Do not twist or bend the fill consumable portion of the Low Density Array
(Figure 4-5 on page
To successfully load the sample-specific PCR reaction mix, it is
IMPORTANT!
critical that the main channels leading from the Low Density Array's fill
reservoirs to its wells are open and undamaged.
DRAFT
Low Density Array
Handle
Shown foil-side up, with fill reservoirs on the right
(carriage moves from left to right during sealing, in
the direction of the arrows etched into the base)
4-10) before loading.
Insert plate
Holds the Low Density
Array during sealing
Base
Provides a stable platform for
the Low Density Array and a
track for the stylus assembly