Operation
Tech Support: 1-800-4BIORAD • 1-800-424-6723 • www.bio-rad.com
4-9
Microseal 'B' adhesive seals feature an aggressive adhesive, effective from –20°C to
110°C, which allows secure sample storage or transport before and after cycling. The clear
polyester backing allows easy inspection of sample wells. Microseal 'B' clear, adhesive
seals are ideal for thermal cycling in all polypropylene and polystyrene microplates.
Microseal 'F' aluminized foil acts as a barrier against evaporation from –20°C to
105°C. In addition to cold storage applications, it can also be used for thermal cycling
sample volumes >25 µl (96-well) or >5 µl (384-well). The foil is thin enough to pierce
with a pipet tip for recovery of sample from individual wells.
Microplate sealing mats are an economical means to seal 96-well microplates. An array
of 96 dimples on the mat helps orient it on the microplate and prevents the mat from
sticking to the heated lid. The mats may be cleaned with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) for
reuse, and they are autoclavable.
Microseal 'P' and 'P+' sealing pads are designed for use in applications such as cycle
sequencing in which several successive runs may be sealed with the same pad.
Microseal 'P' and 'P+' pads are intended for use with the higher sealing pressures
afforded by the Power Alpha units: use 'P' pads with the original version of Power
Bonnet
™
lids (ALP-1296 and ALP-1238) and 'P+' pads with newer-design Moto Alpha
units (ALP-2296 and ALP-2238). Each pad may be used for approximately 25 runs.
Adjusting the Hot Bonnet Lid’s Pressure
The pressure exerted by the Hot Bonnet lid must be manually adjusted to fit the
sample vessels being used. Once set, the Hot Bonnet lid can be opened and
closed repeatedly without readjustment as long as neither the tube or microplate
type nor the sealing method is changed. Any change in vessel type or sealing
method requires readjustment of the Hot Bonnet lid.
Follow these steps to adjust the pressure exerted by the inner lid:
1. Make sure the block’s wells are clean. Even tiny amounts of extraneous material
can decrease thermal conduction and interfere with the proper seating of a
microplate or tubes.
2. Open the Hot Bonnet lid. Turn the thumbwheel all the way counterclockwise
to completely raise the inner lid.
3. Load either a microplate or at least eight individual tubes into the sample block.
The inner lid pivots around a central point, so it is important to distribute individual
tubes evenly: load at least four tubes in the center of the block and at least one
tube in each of the four corners of the block. If using a sealing film or mat, apply
it to the loaded microplate according to the manufacturer’s directions.
4. Close the Hot Bonnet lid by pressing down on the top lever. Turn the thumb-
wheel clockwise to lower the inner lid onto the loaded microplate/tubes.
The thumbwheel turns easily at first since the inner lid has not yet come into
contact with anything. Stop turning the thumbwheel when you feel
increased resistance, which indicates that the inner lid has touched the
microplate/tubes.
