Upstream processes, downstream applications, and alternative quantification methods

Quantification of nucleic acids and protein commonly fits into a workflow that involves extracting and isolating your desired analyte, quantifying it, and using the quantified analyte as input into a downstream application. In this section, we provide links to selected upstream extraction and isolation tools, alternative quantification methods, and common downstream applications.

Qubit-related products and methods

Upstream processes

Alternative quantification methods

Downstream applications

*The Ion Torrent Genexus System, the first turnkey next-generation sequencing (NGS) solution, enables a workflow from biological specimen to the final report with results delivered in as little as a single day. Because the Genexus System incorporates Qubit technology for nucleic acid quantification, a separate Qubit fluorometer is not needed.

Nucleic acid quantification methods and instruments

UV absorbance and NanoDrop spectrophotometers

Although fluorometry is more sensitive and selective for quantifying nucleic acids, the UV absorbance method can provide accurate results for many applications without additional reagents. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry is also excellent at detecting impurities in a sample, and many labs use both of these technologies for different purposes.

 

Compare the two quantification methods, and UV-Vis options like NanoDrop spectrophotometers and Multiskan SkyHigh and Varioskan LUX spectrophotometric plate readers, at our RNA/DNA Quantification page.

Fluorescence microplate readers

For high-throughput quantification, consider using a microplate reader with fluorescence capabilities. Our Fluoroskan and Varioskan fluorometric plate reader are compatible with Quant-iT assays to quantify the same analytes as Qubit Fluorometers and Qubit Assays. As the name suggests, the Varioskan LUX Multimode Microplate Reader (pictured) can perform both fluorometric and spectrophotometric assays.

 

Compare and check out these high-throughput instruments at our RNA/DNA Quantification page.

Quant-iT assays

For high-throughput fluorometric quantification, we recommend using Quant-iT assays on a Fluoroskan or Varioskan LUX fluorometric plate reader. These assays quantify the same analytes as Qubit Fluorometers and Qubit Assays in the same way, but are designed for high-volume testing.

Recommended assays for different throughput levels

Number of samples

Recommendation

1–20

Qubit assay kits for use with Qubit Fluorometers

20–2,000

Quant-iT assay kits and reagents for use with microplate readers

>2,000

Quant-iT bulk reagents and kits

Quant-iT assays and reagents are available to quantify dsDNA, RNA, microRNA, and protein. They are similar to Qubit assays and cover similar ranges (such as dsDNA HS and BR) and formats (such as 1X dsDNA).

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.