In addition to the significant time-savings re- sulting from the use of prepackaged reagents, sample preparation is very simple. The Genomic DNA ScreenTape requires that only 1 µL of ge- nomic DNA is vortex-mixed with 10 µL sample buffer; then the sample is ready to be placed into the 2200 TapeStation instrument for analysis.
System technology: 2200
TapeStation instrument The TapeStation instrument was specifically en- gineered to analyze all ScreenTape types (for the analysis of DNA, RNA, and protein), and the sys- tem is designed so that no instrument priming is required. Not only does this save precious time, but it also allows the swift exchange between sample types. For instance, changing from the analysis of genomic DNA to smaller DNA frag- ments further downstream the experimental work flow requires only that the ScreenTape type be changed. This involves removing the tape from its sealed foil package and placing it into the instrument. The instrument contains a barcode reader that automatically reads the barcode contained on each ScreenTape. This provides instant recognition of the ScreenTape type inserted as well as tracking of any previ- ously used lanes.
The instrument can also automatically detect the type of sample block inserted—either tube strips or a 96-well plate. Once the samples, load- ing tips, and ScreenTape have been inserted, the 2200 TapeStation instrument is ready to go.
To initiate the analysis process, the samples are selected and the “start” button is pressed. Inside the TapeStation, the instrument picks up a loading tip and simultaneously pierces the top of the lane it is going to load (see Figure 2). It then picks up the sample using the load- ing tip and places it on top of the gel matrix contained in the ScreenTape lane. After all the samples selected have been loaded onto the ScreenTape, the electrical probes in the instru- ment engage with the electrode pads at the top and bottom of each lane. A voltage is then applied across each lane, including a correc- tion for gel temperature as measured by the TapeStation instrument.
When electrophoresis is complete, each lane is imaged and processed to calculate the param- eters required for the specific ScreenTape assay,
AMERICAN LABORATORY • 13 • SEPTEMBER 2013
Figure 2 – The 2200 TapeStation instrument loads samples from tubes or a 96-well plate onto the ScreenTape, then electrophoreses, images, and analyzes the results in less than 2 min per sample.
as determined by the barcode. Results are pre- sented within approximately 1–2 min per sample.
System technology: 2200
TapeStation software Figure 3 is a screenshot of the results file au- tomatically launched for the Genomic DNA ScreenTape when the run is complete and the gel image has been fully analyzed. The default screen provides a gel image of all the selected
samples, and the optional sample well is shown for visualization of any sample retained at the gel interface. Lane 1 depicts the genomic DNA lad- der, which is supplied as part of the reagent kit; lanes 2–15 show a range of FFPE samples from various sources. Each lane contains a marker at 100 bp, which allows even small degradation products to be identified and acts as an internal standard for sizing and quantification.
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