Azure Cielo Real-Time PCR Systems User Manual
Page 8
B. Low-profile Tubes
• Tubes are an ideal choice for qPCR experiments of low to medium throughputs. Individual and
tube strips are two most common formats available. Tube strips are available in 8 or 12 well type.
Cielo systems are compatible with 0.1mL and 0.2mL tubes.
• Color of the tube(s) can be White, Frosted or Clear. For assays requiring higher fluorescent
sensitivity and accuracy, white or frosted tubes would be recommended.
• The tubes should be sealed with Optical Grade Flat Caps or seals. Detection of this system is from
above and through the top of each tube. Significant signal loss should be expected if not using
optically clear caps or seals.
• Recommended tube cap features should include a tight fit in addition to optical clarity. Cap strips
are the most common way to seal tubes and plates. Azure Cielo Real-Time PCR systems are
compatible with
flat caps, that are optical clear or ultra-clear.
*The Azure Cielo Systems are not compatible with domed caps for tubes or plates*
C. Only a few samples
While the Cielo Real-time PCR system is designed for 96-well plates, many times researchers do not
need to run ninety-six samples. It is common to run only a few samples at a time, especially when
new assays or tests are being evaluated and optimized for best performance.
The lid and detection manifold are very well designed for even heating and detection over the 96-well
landscape. When only running a small number of samples, it is possible uneven pressure over these
few tubes due to the uneven settling of the lid manifold, might damage the strip or single tube
samples during the run.
The easy remedy to this is to evenly distribute samples or strip tubes to different sections of the
96-well plate area. Empty tubes can be used as placeholders at the edges of the 96-well plate area to
allow even pressure from the lid as the run progresses.
Figure 1. Orange circles represent samples to be run.
Blue
circles represent empty tubes used as placeholders to ensure the
lid manifold applies even pressure over the entire 96-well area.