Qiagen QIAsymphony AS, Operating Manual

Page: 49 / 216

QIAsymphony SP/AS Consolidated Operating Guide 12/2017 49
7.1.1 Basic principle
Sample preparation using the QIAsymphony SP usually consists of 4 main steps: lyse, bind, wash,
and elute.

Samples are lysed in the lysis station, which can be heated, if required by the protocol.

Nucleic acids bind to the surface of the magnetic particles and are washed to remove
contaminants.

Purified nucleic acid is eluted.
The QIAsymphony SP processes a sample containing magnetic particles as follows:

A magnetic rod protected by a rod cover enters a well containing the sample and attracts the
magnetic particles.

Sample prep cartridges are positioned below the magnetic rod with its cover.

The QIAsymphony SP uses a magnetic head containing an array of 24 magnetic rods, and
can therefore process 24 samples simultaneously. Steps 1 and 2 are repeated several times
during sample processing.
7.2 Instrument features
7.2.1 Magnetic head
The magnetic head is comprised of an array of 24 magnetic rods for processing magnetic
particles, a conveyor, and magnetic-head guards.
Magnetic head of the QIAsymphony SP.
The magnetic head comprises a rod-cover drive for mixing samples and a magnetic-rod drive for
separation and resuspension of magnetic particles. The conveyor moves the sample prep
cartridges from the start position to the processing position and, finally, to the output position. The