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Chapter 4: Protocols
The SoftMax Pro Software enables you to define the settings required to run protocols on
the instrument. The following is a high-level description of the basic workflow to read a
plate in a SpectraMax L instrument. For details about the SoftMax Pro Software, see the
application online help.
Temperature Regulation
The SoftMax Pro Software enables you to adjust the temperature of the plate chamber
from 5° C to 45° C above the ambient room temperature. The temperature sensors
detect the temperature of the air inside the chamber, not the temperature of the
samples in the plate. If you use the instrument to warm the samples, use a seal on the
plate to prevent evaporation of the sample. The seal also helps to maintain a uniform
temperature. It can take an hour or more for a prepared sample to equilibrate inside the
plate chamber. You can speed up equilibration by warming the sample and the assay
reagents to the desired temperature before you place the plate in the chamber. Validate
the data quality to determine whether the seal can stay on the plate for the read.
To change the plate chamber temperature:
1. In the SoftMax Pro Software, select the Operations tab and click
Temperature
to
display the Temperature Control dialog.
2. Select
On
to turn on the incubator and enter the temperature.
3. Click
OK
.
Injector Protocols
Injector protocols typically require you to prime the injector, wash the injector, and
reverse the injector. Injectors also require maintenance. See
and
Replacing Injector Tubing on page 36
.
Before you run injector protocols, follow the steps to set up the injectors. See
.
Washing Injectors
To wash the injectors:
1. In the SoftMax Pro Software, select the Operations tab and click
Wash Injectors
to
display the Wash Injectors dialog.
2. Select a
Setting
option:
Select
Auto
and then select the check box for the
Pre-Measurement Injectors (P)
and/or the
Measurement Injectors (M)
to automatically wash all P-injectors
and/or M-injectors.
Select
Manual
and then select the check box for each P-injector and each M-
injector to wash.
3. In the
# of Injections Per Injector
field, enter the number of 100-µL injections to do
per wash.
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