Bio-Rad Firmware & Software Updates - Manual (Page 19)

System Installation
8
Running Experiments
Be sure that the MiniOpticon system is connected to the computer and turned on before
launching the CFX Manager software. The green protocol-indicator light on the front of the
MiniOpticon detector is illuminated only during a protocol run.
WARNING! Remove the shipping plate from the thermal cycler block to operate.
Loading the Block
1. To access the MiniOpticon system’s block, turn the front green handle counter-clockwise
until it snaps into the open position. Rotate the entire tower outward, to the left.
2. Place the 48-well, 0.2 ml microplate, or tube strips with sealed lids in the block. Check
that the tubes are completely sealed to prevent leakage. For optimal results, load sample
volumes of 15–30 µl.
3. To ensure uniform heating and cooling of samples, sample vessels must be in complete
contact with the sample holder. Adequate contact is ensured by:
• Verifying the sample holder is clean before loading samples
• Firmly pressing tubes, or a 48-well microplate into the sample holder
TIP: Spin down reactions in tubes or microplates before loading into the thermal
cycler block. Air bubbles in samples, or liquid on the plate deck, can affect results.
• Bio-Rad strongly recommends that oil not be used to thermally couple sample
vessels to the block
NOTE: Do not open the MiniOpticon detector while the green protocol-indicator
light is illuminated. Opening the door, particularly during a scan of the plate, may
interrupt the software’s control of the protocol.
4. To close the instrument, rotate the tower back into the closed position and then turn the
green handle clockwise (Figure 1). Both the tower and the handle have spring
mechanisms that facilitate closure.
NOTE: For accurate data analysis, check that the orientation of reactions in the
block is exactly the same as the orientation of the well contents in the software
Plate tab (see “Plate Tab” on page 23). If needed, edit the well contents before,
during, or after the run.
WARNING! When running the MiniOpticon system, always balance the tube strips
or cut microplates in the wells. For example, if you run one tube strip on the left
side of the block, run an empty tube strip (with caps) on the right side of the block
to balance the pressure applied by the heated lid.
WARNING! Be sure that nothing is blocking the lid when it closes. Although there
is a safety mechanism to prevent the lid from closing if it senses an obstruction, do
not place anything in the way of the closing lid.
Recommended Plastic Consumables
Run only white-welled 48-well plates or white-welled strip tubes in the MiniOpticon system.
For optimal results, Bio-Rad provides the following consumables for the MiniOpticon system
(catalog numbers are provided in bold):
• MLL-4851. Multiplate low-profile 48-well unskirted PCR plates, white color wells
• TLS-0851. Low-profile 8-tube strips, 0.2 ml, without caps, white color wells
• TCS-0803. Optical flat 8-cap strips, for 0.2 ml tubes and plates, ultraclear