43
Operation
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C
e E-Plate 96 is designed for single use only. Data quality cannot be guaranteed for
re-used plates since sensor surface properties of re-used E-Plates 96 would di er from the
tissue-culture-compatible properties of fresh E-Plates 96. Furthermore, residual contamination
in the wells might cause unreliable results.
Seed appropriate number of cells into the wells of the E-Plate 96.
Before running any assay on the RTCA SP Instrument, a cell titration experiment is
advisable to test cell proliferation for a range of cell numbers. is approach helps to
determine the appropriate number of the cells for the assay. If cell number is too high or
too low, it would a ect the data quality generated from the RTCA SP Instrument.
oroughly mix the cell suspension when seeding cells into the wells.
Please be aware that under some circumstances (e.g., extremely low cell numbers)
experimental data might vary between wells in the center and wells on the edge of
E-Plates 96 (so-called “Edge E ect”), which is as well a commonly known phenom-
enon of conventional microtiter plates.
Cells will settle to the bottom of the cell-suspension tube unless repeatedly mixed. In order
to add a consistent number of cells to each well, it is essential to have cells uniformly (and
randomly) suspended in the tube. us it is important to mix the cell suspension in the
tube before adding cells to each well.
Make sure that all the 120 connector pads on the backside of the E-Plate 96 are clean
and free of dust/dirt particles.
Clean the connector pads (located on small, green PCB boards on the bottom of the
E-Plate 96) are essential for reliable contacts between E-Plate 96 and RTCA SP Station.
If connector pads are dirty, wipe the pads gently with 80% alcohol-soaked tissue (paper/
cloth). Do not press too hard on such pads to avoid damaging the connection between the
small PCB boards to the plate.
Always check the Scan Plate data when the E-Plate 96 is re-positioned back on the
RTCA SP Station a er being removed. “Connections ok” will be displayed if there is
no connection problem a er each Scan Plate operation, including auto-scan a er
plate repositioning.
A er the Scan Plate operation, please check the Message page for scan results to see whether
some wells have connection problems. When some wells show a problem, rst try one of
two following steps to resolve the issue:
With the E-Plate 96 on the RTCA SP Station and in the locked position, you may want
to press the plate down a couple of times on the plate. This action can sometimes
remove the dust between the RTCA Contact Pins 96 and the connector pads, or reset
the RTCA Contact Pin 96 connection to allow better contact. You can then do a Scan
Plate which may show that the problematic well is now OK.
The second option is to remove the E-Plate 96 and re-position it on the RTCA SP
Station. Before you re-position the E-Plate 96, please check to see whether the E-Plate
connector pads are clean. Alternatively, you may just clean the connector pads of the
E-Plate 96 before re-positioning it for another Scan Plate test.
If the problem persists you may want to continue the experiment with this E-Plate 96, or
you may want to try again with a new E-Plate 96 (assuming that the cells have not been
added). You should report such incidents to your local ACEA representative and provide
the serial number of the E-Plate 96 and the appropriate data le (for details, see Trouble-
shooting).
Turn o the RTCA Analyzer if the system is not used for several days or longer.
As with any electronic equipment, the RTCA SP Instrument should be switched o when
not in use. is will prolong the operating life of the equipment and save electricity.
Preparing and Starting a Run on the RTCA SP Instrument
Important Tips for Using the RTCA SP Instrument
e E-Plate 96 is designed for single use only. Data quality cannot be guaranteed for
re-used plates since sensor surface properties of re-used E-Plates 96 would di er from the
tissue-culture-compatible properties of fresh E-Plates 96. Furthermore, residual contamination
in the wells might cause unreliable results.
Seed appropriate number of cells into the wells of the E-Plate 96.
Before running any assay on the RTCA SP Instrument, a cell titration experiment is
advisable to test cell proliferation for a range of cell numbers. is approach helps to
determine the appropriate number of the cells for the assay. If cell number is too high or
too low, it would a ect the data quality generated from the RTCA SP Instrument.
oroughly mix the cell suspension when seeding cells into the wells.
Please be aware that under some circumstances (e.g., extremely low cell numbers)
experimental data might vary between wells in the center and wells on the edge of
E-Plates 96 (so-called “Edge E ect”), which is as well a commonly known phenom-
enon of conventional microtiter plates.
Cells will settle to the bottom of the cell-suspension tube unless repeatedly mixed. In order
to add a consistent number of cells to each well, it is essential to have cells uniformly (and
randomly) suspended in the tube. us it is important to mix the cell suspension in the
tube before adding cells to each well.
Make sure that all the 120 connector pads on the backside of the E-Plate 96 are clean
and free of dust/dirt particles.
Clean the connector pads (located on small, green PCB boards on the bottom of the
E-Plate 96) are essential for reliable contacts between E-Plate 96 and RTCA SP Station.
If connector pads are dirty, wipe the pads gently with 80% alcohol-soaked tissue (paper/
cloth). Do not press too hard on such pads to avoid damaging the connection between the
small PCB boards to the plate.
Always check the Scan Plate data when the E-Plate 96 is re-positioned back on the
RTCA SP Station a er being removed. “Connections ok” will be displayed if there is
no connection problem a er each Scan Plate operation, including auto-scan a er
page for scan results to see whether
some wells have connection problems. When some wells show a problem, rst try one of
two following steps to resolve the issue:
With the E-Plate 96 on the RTCA SP Station and in the locked position, you may want
to press the plate down a couple of times on the plate. This action can sometimes
remove the dust between the RTCA Contact Pins 96 and the connector pads, or reset
the RTCA Contact Pin 96 connection to allow better contact. You can then do a
which may show that the problematic well is now OK.
Plate which may show that the problematic well is now OK.Plate
The second option is to remove the E-Plate 96 and re-position it on the RTCA SP
Station. Before you re-position the E-Plate 96, please check to see whether the E-Plate
connector pads are clean. Alternatively, you may just clean the connector pads of the
E-Plate 96 before re-positioning it for another
Scan Plate test.Scan Plate
If the problem persists you may want to continue the experiment with this E-Plate 96, or
you may want to try again with a new E-Plate 96 (assuming that the cells have not been
added). You should report such incidents to your local ACEA representative and provide
the serial number of the E-Plate 96 and the appropriate data le (for details, see
Turn o the RTCA Analyzer if the system is not used for several days or longer.
As with any electronic equipment, the RTCA SP Instrument should be switched o when
not in use. is will prolong the operating life of the equipment and save electricity.
Preparing and Starting a Run on the RTCA SP Instrument
Important Tips for Using the RTCA SP Instrument
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