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Bio-Rad EXQuest Spot Cutter User Manual

Page 77

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TROUBLESHOOTING

11-2

Symptom

Cause

Solution

Hydration and clamping

Excess water on the gel tray causes backed gels to
slide when the gel plug is being scraped off the
backing. Make sure clamps are used to hold gels in
place and do not over hydrate. Before placing
backed gels on the cutting sheet dry both the
cutting sheet and gel backing.

Low membrane cutting

Tip is dull, or damaged

A membrane cutting tip that is dull or damaged will

efficiency

not cut PVDF and nitrocellulose membranes
efficiently. If the tip is dull or damaged, replace the
tip.

Low membrane delivery

Microplate wells and

The membrane cutting tip must contact water to

efficiency

tubes need water

efficiently release cut PVDF and nitrocellulose
membrane. Fill microplate wells within 1 to 2 mm of
the top and wash station microtubes to within 3 to 4
mm of the top. Make sure the three membrane
wash station tubes are filled with water to within 2
to 3 mm of the top.

Low gel and

Gel hydration

Gels that are not properly hydrated may shrink

membrane cutting

or swell. If gels are becoming dry, increase the

accuracy

hydration rate. Fully hydrate gels before setting up a
cut run.

Hydration and clamping

Gels or membranes that are overhydrated may
float. This is particularly problematic for membranes
and backed gels. Make sure clamps are used to
hold the gels and membranes in place and do not
over hydrate. Before placing backed gels on the
cutting sheet, dry both the cutting sheet and the gel
backing.

The spot cutter is

Recalibrate the spot cutter.

out of calibration

Calibration fails

Calibration puck is

Repeat the calibration.

misaligned

Calibration pucks

Examine calibration pucks for material blocking

are damaged

the hole at the bottom of the V-shaped well.

Examine the pucks for damage that does not allow
the puck to center properly. Replace damaged
pucks.

An error occurred

Restart the calibration procedure.

during the flat field
or lens calibration

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