Qx200 Droplet Generator - BIO RAD QX200 Instruction Manual

Chapter 1 QX200 Droplet Generator

1.2 QX200 Droplet Generator

The QX200 droplet generator uses microfluidics to combine oil and water (sample) to create the droplets
required for ddPCR analysis. It generates droplets from up to eight samples at a time in about 2 minutes.
Following reaction preparation using the appropriate ddPCR supermix, 20 μl each of up to eight prepared
samples (or blanks) and droplet generator oil are transferred to the droplet generator (DG8
loaded cartridge is covered with a gasket and placed in the QX200 droplet generator. There, the samples
and oil are combined within the microchannels of the cartridge to create an emulsion of ~20,000 monodisperse,
nanoliter-sized droplets for each of the samples. Following droplet generation, the droplets are transferred to a
standard 96-well PCR plate and amplified to end point using a standard thermal cycler.
When cycling is complete, the plate is loaded into the QX200 droplet reader. The droplet reader sips each
sample, singulates the droplets, and streams them in single file past a two-color detector. The detector reads
each droplet and determines which contain a target (+) and which do not (–). If quantitation of droplets is not
required, PCR products can be extracted from droplets following thermal cycling for downstream applications,
such as sequencing or cloning.
The QX200 droplet generator includes the components listed in Table 1.1. Additional requirements for droplet
generation and PCR are listed in Table 1.2. For complete system requirements, refer to the QX200 Droplet
Reader Instruction Manual (bulletin 10031906).
Table 1.1. QX200 droplet generator components. Catalog # refers to replacement items (quantities may be different).
Component
QX200 droplet generator
DG8 droplet generator
cartridges and gaskets (24)
Droplet generator cartridge
holder
Power cord
QX200 droplet generator.
2 | QX200 Droplet Generator Instruction Manual
Description
Instrument used for droplet generation
Microfluidic cartridge used to mix sample and oil to
generate droplets; gaskets seal the cartridge to
prevent evaporation and apply pressure required
for droplet formation
Positions and holds the droplet generator cartridge
in the instrument for droplet generation
Connects QX200 droplet generator to power source
™ ) cartridge. The
Catalog #
186-4002
186-4007
186-3051
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