Biomek® 2000
A Fully Automated Method for Purification of Plasmid DNA on the Biomek® 2000
Laboratory Workstation Utilizing the QIAGEN QIAprep* 96 Turbo Miniprep
Kit
Troy Cook, Ryan McCrae, and Paul W. Diaz, Ph.D.
Beckman Coulter, Inc.
| Q. | Is there any special labware or software needed for this protocol? |
| A. | No. The current labware and software from Beckman Coulter, Inc. are adequate to accommodate the protocol. However, the current protocol was validated using the current BioWorks™ version 3.1c. |
| Q. | Do I have to run 96 samples every time? |
| A. | No. Any sample number can be run using the protocols. The methods presented here use 96 samples, but the Biomek 2000 can use single channel tools as well 8 channel tools and therefore only one sample could be run if desired. The basic principles used in this method will apply irrespective of sample number. The pattern used may have to be edited to change the sample number to the desired level. |
| Q. | Is any human intervention required during the operation of the protocols? |
| A. | No. The protocols are validated as Biomek 2000 stand-alone applications. That means that one plate plasmid purifications can be generated with one set up. |
| Q. | How long does it take to perform 96 plasmid purifications on the Biomek 2000? |
| A. | It takes approximately 75 minutes to process 96 samples. |
| Q. | Are the reagents stable kept on the Biomek Workspace for 75 minutes? |
| A. | Yes. The reagents are stable for long periods of time. The lysis buffer may develop a precipitant. Low room temperatures or the buffer being placed directly under an air conditioning vent generally causes this. If this happens either move the instrument or simply warm the lysis buffer before use. |
| Q. | Are there specific steps I can take to avoid cross contamination? |
| A. | Yes. The method was designed to reduce the risk of cross contamination to an absolute minimum. These steps include careful deck layout to avoid any potential of “flyover” contamination caused by used tips passing over reaction plates. |
* All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Where applicable, the PCR process is covered by patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., and F. Hoffman-LaRoche, Ltd.
