Operation Of The Helios Gene Gun System; Quick Guide To Operation - BIO RAD Helios Gene Gun System Instruction Manual

Procedure
1. Determine the length of nitrogen hose needed to connect the Tubing Prep Station to the the nitrogen
regulator and cut it if necessary.
2. Connect the 3/16" barb-to-male luer fitting to one end of the nitrogen hose.
3. Push the other end of the nitrogen hose onto the male hose barb on the nitrogen regulator. Do not use
hose clamps to secure the nitrogen hose on the Tubing Prep Station.
4. The nitrogen regulator should be turned on and adjusted to the correct pressure prior to connect the
nitrogen line to the Tubing Prep Station. Close the nitrogen pressure regulator by turning the regulator
adjustment screw counterclockwise until the adjusting spring pressure is released and the screw
moves without resistance. Release nitrogen into the pressure regulator by carefully and slowly opening
the cylinder valve on the nitrogen tank. The cylinder pressure in the tank is indicated on the high-
pressure gauge (the gauge closest to the cylinder). Hold the nitrogen line in your hand and slowly turn
the regulator adjustment screw clockwise until nitrogen can just be heard flowing from the nitrogen
line. Clamp the nitrogen line with your fingers; the pressure on the output (low-pressure) gauge should
register no more than 1–2 psi. If the pressure is too high, turn the regulator screw counterclockwise to
reduce the pressure.
5. Connect the male luer fitting on the the nitrogen line to the female luer fitting on the side of the Tubing
Prep Station. The flow of nitrogen into the Tubing Prep Station can be adjusted with the valve on
the flowmeter.
Section 5

Operation of the Helios Gene Gun System

For additional Helios Gene Gun training and overview information, including instrument setup, microcarrier
and cartridge preparation, and instrument operation, go to bio-rad.com/Helios/training.

Quick Guide to Operation

Before the Bombardment
1. Coat microcarriers with DNA, load into tubes, and prepare cartridges prior to day of experiment.
2. Check helium supply (50 psi in excess of desired delivery pressure).
3. Clean and/or sterilize the gene gun, tube holders, and barrel liners as appropriate.
4. Connect the gene gun to a helium source.
5. Activate the gene gun: turn on the flow of helium to the desired pressure and with an empty cartridge
holder in place, make 2–3 "pre-shots" by engaging the safety interlock and firing the trigger.
Firing the Device
1. Load cartridges into the cartridge holder and place in gene gun.
2. Prepare/position target cells for bombardment.
3. Bombard sample: engage safety interlock and press the firing trigger.
Section 5 Operation of the Helios Gene Gun System
Helios Gene Gun System | 19