HID NIMBUS Presto QNA System Purification

Reclaim your time and keep answers flowing

The Applied Biosystems HID NIMBUS Presto System and HID NIMBUS Presto QNA System can purify up to 96 lysed samples in less than 90 minutes. The hands-free and walk-away purification process relies on the KingFisher Presto Purification System combined with PrepFiler and PrepFiler BTA automated forensic DNA extraction kits and a trusted automated liquid handling workstation. The liquid handler simultaneously prepares wash plates while the KingFisher Presto system purifies the DNA samples. The system is specifically scripted, optimized, and validated for use with PrepFiler and PrepFiler BTA automated forensic DNA extraction kits. The PrepFiler extraction kits promote binding of DNA to magnetic particles, removal of cellular debris and inhibitors, and elution of bound DNA through the movement of the magnetic particles across reagent plates. The intuitive HID NIMBUS System Software allows the user to select the details of their run and guides the user through work deck setup. If there is an interruption, a purification recovery mode can be initiated at the interrupted (major) step, helping save time and precious samples.

 

With rapid processing and high-quality yields of even the most complex forensic sample types—including bone, tooth, and touch DNA—forensic labs can enjoy faster turnaround times with lasting confidence in results.

 

Key features

 

Less hands-on time

  • Purify more samples with less hands-on time—up to 96 samples in less than 90 minutes
  • Simple setup and walk-away workflow
  • Minimal manual touchpoints to help reduce human error and contamination risk
  • Easy-to-use software
  • Validated turnkey solution

 

High reproducibility

  • Minimal variation in each sample and run
  • Increased process standardization
  • Consistent, reliable, accurate results from a variety of forensically relevant sample types

KingFisher Presto Purification System

The Thermo Scientific KingFisher Presto Purification System is a versatile benchtop sample preparation instrument that is integrated on the deck of a trusted robotic liquid handler for hands-free automation. It offers consistent, ultrahigh-throughput purification of DNA samples.

 

The KingFisher Presto system’s dual-position turntable allows processing of one plate while the HID NIMBUS Presto System's integrated automated liquid handling simultaneously prepares and transports a second plate, without the need for manual intervention. The automated liquid handler's patented pipette tip technology allows a tight seal for superior liquid measurement accuracy and precision without tip distortion or aerosol generation during tip pickup and ejection, so plates can be prepared accurately and efficiently. Integrated tools like labware grippers to automatically transport plates around the deck and a barcode scanner to track samples contribute to the hands-free walk-away experience.

Key features

  • Automated ultrahigh-throughput purification of 1–96 samples per run
  • Two plate formats
  • Wide volume range (20–290 µL)
  • Heating element (for DNA purification)

Figure 1. Illustration of the KingFisher Presto system’s magnetic bead binding of DNA in forensic samples.

Validated purification kits

PrepFiler and PrepFiler BTA automated forensic DNA extraction kits

PrepFiler automated extraction kits use magnetic particles with an optimized multicomponent surface chemistry to enable superior DNA yield from standard to the most complex forensic sample types—including bone, tooth, and touch DNA.

 

The PrepFiler kits’ components and protocols have been optimized to help maximize performance at each step in the extraction workflow. They are designed to improve the overall concentration of DNA recovered from both routine and challenging samples, while enabling the removal of PCR inhibitors. This allows greater quantities of highly purified DNA for delivering the performance and efficiency needed to help reduce case backlogs.

 

Key features

  • Improves the overall yield, concentration, and purity of DNA isolated from forensic samples, while enabling removal of PCR inhibitors
  • Improves the downstream genotyping success rate, to help ensure that critical and often limited casework samples can be successfully analyzed
  • Contains specially developed magnetic particles and reagents that optimize DNA binding and elution of DNA in a small volume
  • Offers streamlined protocols to process an extensive variety of forensic sample types
  • The PrepFiler BTA kit includes PrepFiler BTA Lysis Buffer to process more challenging samples

Figure 2. PrepFiler extraction kits—how they work

Casework sample processing

The HID NIMBUS Presto systems deliver DNA from challenging samples and are capable of generating full genetic profiles for use in forensic casework analysis. A variety of known and non-probative casework-type samples were used to evaluate the ability of the HID NIMBUS Presto System to extract inhibitor-free DNA of high quantity and quality from common human identification sample types; when noted, results from the same samples extracted with the AutoMate Express system for comparative purposes are shown (Figure 3).

Figure 3. 3500xL Genetic Analyzer electropherograms of mock case-type samples extracted on the HID NIMBUS Presto system unless otherwise noted and amplified with the GlobalFiler IQC PCR Amplification Kit showing an overlay of all dye channels. The Y-axis is adjusted individually per sample as indicated. From upper panel to lower: Swab of drink can rim extracted with PrepFiler 300-μL lysis protocol; swab of dried blood (2.5 μL) on surface extracted with PrepFiler 500-μL lysis protocol; 1 μL of dried saliva on tape extracted with PrepFiler BTA kit; 50 mg of slightly degraded bone sample extracted with PrepFiler BTA kit; 50 mg of slightly degraded bone sample extracted with PrepFiler BTA kit processed on AutoMate Express system.

Webinar: Improving sample prep efficiency and data quality of challenging DNA samples

In this recorded webinar, Dr. Sheree Hughes, along with her SHSU graduate students, presents results from a recent study that compares manual DNA purification methods with recently developed automated processes for compromised samples.

Ordering information

For Research, Forensic, or Paternity Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.