Adjusting The Hot Bonnet Lid's Pressure - BIO RAD PTC-200 Operation Manual

DNA Engine Operations Manual
Microseal ®
strips. This film is specially designed to seal tightly during cycling, yet release smoothly
to minimize the risk of aerosol formation and cross-contamination of samples.
Microseal 'A' film is easily cut for use with fewer than 96 samples.
Microseal 'B' adhesive seals feature an aggressive adhesive, effective from –20°C to
110°C, which allows secure sample storage or transport before and after cycling. The
clear polyester backing allows easy inspection of sample wells. Microseal 'B' clear,
adhesive seals are ideal for thermal cycling in all polypropylene and polystyrene
microplates.
Microseal 'F' aluminized foil acts as a barrier against evaporation from –20°C to 105°C.
It is thin enough to pierce with a pipet tip for recovery of sample from individual wells.
96-well PCR plate sealing mats (223-9442) are an economical means to seal 96-well
microplates. An array of 96 dimples on the mat helps orient it on the microplate and pre-
vents the mat from sticking to the heated lid. The mats may be cleaned with sodium
hypochlorite (bleach) for reuse, and they are autoclavable.
Microseal 'P'/'P+' pads are designed for use in applications such as cycle sequencing, in
which several successive runs may be sealed with the same pad. Use 'P' pads with the
original version of Power Bonnet
the newer-design Moto Alpha

Adjusting the Hot Bonnet Lid's Pressure

The pressure exerted by the inner lid of the Hot Bonnet lid must be manually adjusted
to fit the sample vessels being used in a given reaction. Once set, the Hot Bonnet lid
can be opened and closed repeatedly without readjustment as long as neither the
tube or microplate type nor the sealing method changes. Any change in vessel type
or sealing method requires readjustment of the Hot Bonnet lid.
Follow these steps to adjust the pressure exerted by the Hot Bonnet inner lid:
1. Make sure the block's wells are clean. Even tiny amounts of extraneous material
can interfere with the proper seating of a microplate or tubes, which would prevent
the inner lid from exerting uniform pressure on the loaded microplate or tubes.
2. Open the Hot Bonnet lid. Turn the green thumbwheel all the way counterclock-
wise to completely raise the inner lid.
3. Load either a microplate or at least eight individual tubes into the sample block. The
inner lid pivots around a central point, so it is important to distribute individual tubes
evenly. Load at least four tubes in the center of the block and at least one tube in
each of the four corners of the block. If using a sealing film or mat, apply it to the
loaded microplate according to the manufacturer's directions.
4-8 Tech Support: 1-800-4BIORAD • 1-800-424-6723 • www.bio-rad.com
'A' film offers a quick alternative to sealing microplates or arrays of tube
™
™ units (ALP-2296, ALP- 2238, ALP-2200, and ALP-2201).
lids (ALP-1296 and ALP-1238) and use 'P+' pads with