DNA Engine Tetrad 2 Thermal Cycler Operations Manual
4-6
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Opening an Alpha Unit
Grip the front edge of the top lever of the Hot Bonnet
®
lid as shown in figure 4-2A,
and pull upward firmly. The top lever will pop open to reveal the entire thumbwheel
(see figure 4-2B). Continue pulling upward to open the lid. The Hot Bonnet lid will tip
backward, revealing the entire block.
Caution:
Do not pull on the thumbwheel to open the unit. This can damage the
Hot Bonnet lid’s mechanism.
Closing an Alpha Unit
Press down on the top lever. The lever will close over the thumbwheel as the lid
closes over the sample block. A click signifies that the Hot Bonnet lid’s latch has
engaged.
Selecting the Correct Sample Vessel
The DNA Engine Tetrad 2 cycler’s wide variety of interchangeable Alpha units affords great
scope in choosing sample vessels. Keep in mind that differences in tube and plate com-
position and wall thickness among the many brands available can affect reaction
performance. Protocols may require some adjustment to ensure optimum performance
when using a new vessel type. Bio-Rad offers a full range of tubes and microplates, man-
ufactured to the specifications of each type of Alpha unit to ensure a precise fit. See
Appendix 4-A of this chapter for a complete list.
Figure 4-2
Opening an Alpha unit (as shown on a DNA Engine
®
thermal cycler).
A
B
