Chapter III. The BAX® System X5 PCR Assays
BAX® System X5 User Guide
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4. Hydrate PCR Tablets
1. Select a chilled (2-8°C) PCR cooling block.
Note: Remember that you must finish using the cooling block within 30 minutes.
2. Place a 32-well PCR tube rack over the insert.
3. Arrange strips of PCR tubes according to your rack file. Mark the top of each strip to maintain orientation
when placing strips in the instrument.
4. Remove the aluminum block with the cluster tubes of sample lysate from the Automated Thermal Block and
place it next to the PCR cooling block. Press the SELECT/CONTINUE button on the Automated Thermal
Block to complete the program.
5. Remove the caps from the first strip of PCR tubes with the decapping tool.
6. Transfer 50
μL lysate into PCR tubes, then seal with flat optical caps.
7. Repeat with remaining strips of PCR tubes until all PCR tablets have been hydrated and sealed.
5. Complete a BAX® System Process Run
Take the rack of PCR tubes in the cooling block
to the BAX® System X5 instrument.
In the BAX® System X5 software window, select
the Info Tab labeled “Instrument” to view the
current instrument status.
Click RUN to begin pre-heating the instrument.
Note: If you have not created and saved a rack file, you
will be prompted to do so before the instrument begins
pre-heating.
Note: Samples must be loaded within 20 minutes after
the RUN button is clicked. If samples are not loaded in
20 minutes, the process run times out and you will need
to re-start the process.
When the instrument is heated, the instrument lid
LED will turn green and the instrument prompt
under the status bar reads “Block preheated.
Ready to load samples.”
Remove the sample carrier with PCR tubes from
the cooling block. Visually check PCR tubes to
ensure the liquid contains no air bubbles and
tubes are clean.
a.
IMPORTANT:
If air bubbles are present
in the liquid, gently tap or flick the tubes
to allow all air bubbles to escape.
b. If the outside of the PCR tubes have
dust, oils or residue, clean the outside of
each PCR tube with a clean lab wipe.
Open the BAX® System X5 instrument lid and
load the PCR tubes into the instrument mount
according to the setup of your rack file.