30
Troubleshooting
Handling
Samples
The calibration standards included in the Qubit
™
RNA and
Qubit
™
RNA BR Assay Kits are high-quality rRNA standards.
The integrity and concentration of these standards is critical to
the optimal performance of the Qubit
™
RNA assay. We highly
recommend treating the rRNA standards as you would any
other precious RNA. Use appropriate RNAse-free handling
techniques, including RNAse-free gloves, pipette tips, and
tubes. Keep the tube lids closed whenever possible; do not
touch the pipet to the inside wall of the tube when
withdrawing a sample, and return the rRNA standard to the
refrigerator as soon as possible after use.
Ensure that the assay tubes are at room temperature at the
time the reading is taken. Do not hold assay tubes in your
hand and do not leave assay tubes in the Qubit
®
2.0
Fluorometer for longer than it takes to read the fluorescence.
See
Assay Temperature
on page 34.
Be careful not to spill sample into the sample chamber.
Promptly wipe any spills.
The Qubit
™
assays are very sensitive and even small amounts
of material from a previous sample may result in errors. Use a
clean 0.5 mL PCR tube for each reading.
The tube
must be clean and dry
on the outside when taking
readings. Moisture and condensation on the tube surface can
lead to reading errors.
Minute bubbles in samples will cause errors in readings. Be
sure not to introduce bubbles into samples. Slight tapping on
the tube wall or brief centrifugation will often help dissipate
bubbles.
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