QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System Support—Getting Started

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General

How often should the QuantStudio 1 instrument be calibrated?

Recommended maintenance schedule
ROI/Uniformity	• Every two years (recommended) • Always perform new Background and Dye calibrations after a ROI/Uniformity calibration. Note: Performing a ROI/Uniformity calibration invalidates all other calibrations.
Background	• Every two years (recommended) • Background calibration can also be performed, as needed: – To check for contamination (depends on usage and laboratory conditions). – To obtain the most accurate data for the removal of background fluorescence. Note: Performing a Background calibration does not invalidate any other calibration.
Pure dye	• Every two years (recommended) • During a Dye calibration, only the dyes on the given spectral calibration plate are calibrated. Note: Performing a Dye calibration for a given dye plate does not invalidate any other calibration.
RNaseP instrument verification	• After installing or moving the instrument • After performing instrument calibrations • As needed to confirm instrument performance
Perform an instrument self-test	Every month
Check computer disk space. If necessary, archive or back up your experiment files and instrument settings	Weekly
Power on/off the computer controlling the instrument	Weekly

What is different between the QuantStudio 1, 3, 5 and the interchangeable block system (QuantStudio 6 Pro, 6 Flex, 7 Pro and 7 Flex) instruments?

The QuantStudio 1, 3, and 5 instruments take up lesser space on the lab bench and come with one fixed block configuration. The interchangeable block systems (QuantStudio 6 and 7 Pro and the QuantStudio 6 and 7 Flex instruments) have a larger footprint but also have additional features and benefits. See more information at thermofisher.com/qpcrsystems. The QuantStudio 1 instrument is an affordable instrument that offers the most essential features for qPCR analysis: 3 color detection and the most commonly used 96-well, 0.2 mL block. It offers the capability to have Wi-Fi connection and use of the instrument with guest, user, and administrator accounts.

The main factors to consider when selecting an instrument is the multiplex reaction capacity, i.e., number of colors detected, block format needed, and if the blocks need to be interchangeable. Please see the comparative table on page 36 in this brochure.

Which plastic consumables should I use with the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

We recommend using plastic consumables matching the level of transparency and having similar level of background fluorescence as the plates in the instrument calibration kit, which have frosted polypropylene wells. The MicroAmp EnduraPlate plates contain polycarbonate frames of various colors but have the same frosted polypropylene wells as the plates in the instrument calibration kit. Please find the list of compatible plastic consumables below:

SKU	Description	Format
403012	MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate with Barcode & Optical Caps	20 plates
4306737	MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate with Barcode	20 plates
4326659	MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate with Barcode	500 plates
4311971	MicroAmp Optical Adhesive Film	100 covers
4360954	MicroAmp Optical Adhesive Film	25 covers
4312063	MicroAmp Splash-Free 96-Well Base	10 bases
4313663	MicroAmp Optical Adhesive Film Kit	1 kit
4314320	MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate with Barcode & Optical Adhesive Films	100 plates
4316567	MicroAmp Optical 8-Tube Strip, 0.2 mL	125 strips
4316813	MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate	500 plates
N8010560	MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate	10 plates
4323032	MicroAmp Optical 8-Cap Strips	300 strips
4333183	MicroAmp Adhesive Film Applicator	5 applicators
4379590	MicroAmp 96-Well Support Base	10 bases
4483343	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Blue Reaction Plates with Barcode	20 plates
4483348	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Clear GPLE Reaction Plates with Barcode	20 plates
4483351	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Clear GPLE Reaction Plates with Barcode	500 plates
4483349	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Green Reaction Plates with Barcode	20 plates
4483350	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Red Reaction Plates with Barcode	20 plates
4483352	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Clear Reaction Plates with Barcode	500 plates
4483354	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Clear Reaction Plates with Barcode	20 plates
4483355	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Multicolor Reaction Plates with Barcode	5 plates
4483356	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Multicolor Reaction Plates with Barcode	500 plates
4483395	MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Yellow Reaction Plates with Barcode	20 plates
A30588	MicroAmp Optical 8-Tube Strip with Attached Optical Caps, 0.2 mL	125 strips
AB0538	Workstation/Stacking System for Tubes/Plates	10 racks
AB0900	PCR Plate, 96-well, segmented, semi-skirted	25 plates
AB0900W	PCR Plate, 96-well, segmented, semi-skirted, white	25 plates
AB0990	PCR Plate, 96-well, rigid, semi-skirted	25 plates
AB1170	ABsolute qPCR Plate Seals	50 seals
AB1391	Adhesive Seal Applicator	1 applicator
AB1400	PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck	25 plates
AB1400150	PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck	150 plates
AB1400L	PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, black lettering	25 plates
AB1400W	PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, white	25 plates
AB1400WL	PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, black lettering, white	25 plates
AB1820	VersiCap Mat, 96-well, ultra clear cap strips	25 mats
AB1820100	VersiCap Mat, 96-well, ultra clear cap strips	100 mats
AB2005	EasyStrip Plus Tube Strip with Attached Ultra Clear Caps	250 strips
AB2400	SuperPlate PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted	25 plates
AB2400W	SuperPlate PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, white	25 plates
AB2596	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, clear, semi-skirted, clear wells	25 plates
AB2596B	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, blue, semi-skirted, clear wells	25 plates
AB2596G	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, green, semi-skirted, clear wells	25 plates
AB2596O	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, orange, semi-skirted, clear wells	25 plates
AB2596R	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, red, semi-skirted, clear wells	25 plates
AB2596Y	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, yellow, semi-skirted, clear wells	25 plates
AB3596	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, clear, semi-skirted, white wells	25 plates
AB3596B	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, blue, semi-skirted, white wells	25 plates
AB3596G	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, green, semi-skirted, white wells	25 plates
AB3596O	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, orange, semi-skirted, white wells	25 plates
AB3596R	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, red, semi-skirted, white wells	25 plates
AB3596Y	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, yellow, semi-skirted, white wells	25 plates
BC0900	PCR Plate, 96-well, segmented, semi-skirted, barcoded	25 plates
BC1400	PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, barcoded	25 plates
BC1400W	PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, white, barcoded	25 plates
BC2400	SuperPlate PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, barcoded	25 plates
BC2400W	SuperPlate PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, white, barcoded	25 plates
BC2596	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, clear, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC2596B	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, blue, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC2596G	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, green, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC2596O	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, orange, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC2596R	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, red, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC2596Y	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, yellow, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC3596	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, clear, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC3596B	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, blue, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC3596G	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, green, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC3596O	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, orange, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC3596R	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, red, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded	25 plates
BC3596Y	Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, yellow, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded	25 plates
N8010531	MicroAmp 96-Well Base	10 bases
N8010560	MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate	10 plates
PRK0963	Preparation Rack, 96-well, with cover	5 racks
PRK1963	Aluminium Support, tube/plate rack, 96-well	1 rack

Can I perform a high resolution melt (HRM) experiment with the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

Yes, it is possible. Please calibrate the instrument for MeltDoctor dye using MeltDoctor HRM Calibration Standard (20X) (Cat. No. 4425562) and the custom dye calibration protocol. The run should be performed with standard melt curve experiment settings. For data analysis after the run, we offer HRM Cloud app or HRM software v3.2 that is now also compatible with the QuantStudio 1 instrument.

Can I perform a protein thermal shift experiment with the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

Yes, it is possible. Please use the following settings to start the run: Melt Curve experiment type, ROX filter, and NFQ-MGB probe type and recommendations as described in the Protein Thermal Shift User Guide.

The Protein Thermal Shift Software v1.4 is now compatible with the QuantStudio 1 instrument and Windows 10.

Operation

Can I connect several QuantStudio 1 instruments to the same computer?

Yes, it is possible. Please use local area network (LAN) connection and see page 17 of the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System User Guide for supported configuration options. However, it is not possible to connect more than one instrument directly to one computer (supplied by Thermo Fisher Scientific) using wired connection due to single Ethernet port availability on the computer supplied by us. Also, please note that starting a run simultaneously from the same computer on two connected instruments is not yet fully validated.

Can I add a pause to my QuantStudio 1 run method and add reagents to the plate during the run?

The QuantStudio 1 instrument has a “pause” option for holding the cycling. This pause can be actually scheduled in the middle of the run. Please see page 46 of the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System User Guide for further details. It is also possible to pause a run, set a pause temperature, and then open the drawer to access the plate during the run using “unlock drawer” option.

Please note that the plate temperature can reach 100°C during the run. If you want to access the plate during a run pause, enter “room temperature” as the pause temperature and allow the plate to cool to room temperature before handling.

How many targets can I multiplex in one well using the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

The QuantStudio 1 instrument has filters to perform a duplex reaction with FAM/VIC and ROX as the passive reference dye. Alternatively, a triplex reaction can be carried out using FAM/VIC/JUN without a passive reference dye. Please see the figure on page 10 of the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System User Guide.

Is it necessary to have internet connection for the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

The internet connection would allow monitoring the run via a mobile app, uploading templates from the Thermo Fisher Cloud on any other computer, and getting the most recent updates of firmware and software, etc. However, internet connection is not necessary to start the run and perform the analysis.

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