3.
Determine the location of the failed wells again as in step 1.
Position of failed wells
Action
Identical
The sample block is contaminated.
Decontaminate the sample block (see
Reversed
The plate is contaminated.
Discard the plate, then perform the calibration using a new
calibration plate.
4.
If the calibration fails after you decontaminate the sample block and replace the plate, contact
Support.
Create a background plate
(optional)
Whenever possible, use a background plate listed in Appendix D, “Parts and materials”. These plates
contain a buffer that accurately simulates the reagents used for PCR, and, therefore, produces high-
quality calibration data.
If a background plate is not available, you can create one as described below.
Required materials:
• MicroAmp
™
optical 96-well reaction plate
• Optical adhesive cover or optical flat caps
• Pipettor, 200‐µL (with pipette tips)
• Powder‐free gloves
• Safety glasses
• Deionized water
IMPORTANT!
Wear powder-free gloves while creating the background plate.
1.
Remove a reaction plate from its box and place it on a clean, dry surface.
2.
Aliquot 50 µL of deionized water to each well of the reaction plate.
3.
Seal the plate using an optical adhesive cover or optical flat caps.
4.
Use the plate for background calibration.
Perform instrument verification using RNase P plates
Instruments are factory-calibrated, so calibration is not necessary for initial installation. However,
perform instrument verification:
• After installation and before first use of the instrument.
• After performing instrument calibrations.
• As needed to confirm instrument performance.
Chapter 5
Calibrate and verify instrument performance
Perform instrument verification using RNase P plates
5
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QuantStudio
™
1 Plus Real-Time PCR System Installation, Use, and Maintenance Guide
