Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 6 Flex User Manual (English)

Questions and Answers:

C
Christopher DennisAug 2, 2025
How to fix ROI calibration failure on Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment?
- B
  bryanfranklinAug 2, 2025
  If the ROI calibration failed with a blurry or faint image on your Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment, it could be due to several reasons. First, ensure the plate or array card has been adequately centrifuged; if not, centrifuge it for a longer duration and repeat the calibration. Another potential cause is old or insufficient reagents in the plate or array card. In this case, discard the consumable and use a new one. Also, check that the sample block and heated cover are correctly seated by powering off, unplugging the instrument, waiting 15 minutes, opening the access door, and firmly pushing the sample block and heated cover toward the back of the instrument.
M
Michael HenryAug 7, 2025
What to do if background calibration failed on Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment?
- C
  Carla BradyAug 7, 2025
  If the background calibration failed on your Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment, it could be due to the plate or array card not being centrifuged sufficiently. Try centrifuging it for a longer time and then repeat the calibration. Another potential cause is old or insufficient reagents in the plate or array card; discard the consumable and run another. Also, the failure could be caused by one or more wells of the background plate or array card producing spectra that exceed the maximum limit for the instrument. In this case, determine the source of the contamination as explained in ‘How to identify contamination’ on page 81.
J
Justin CopelandAug 13, 2025
Why does uniformity calibration fail on Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment?
- R
  Robert SandersAug 13, 2025
  If the uniformity calibration failed on your Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment, ensure the plate or array card has been adequately centrifuged. If not, centrifuge it for a longer time, then repeat the calibration. Another potential cause is old or insufficient reagents in the plate or array card. In this case, discard the consumable and run another.
K
Kelly Morrow DVMAug 17, 2025
How to troubleshoot dye calibration failure on Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment?
- L
  Laura VegaAug 18, 2025
  If the dye calibration failed on your Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment because one or more raw spectra are at or below the detectable threshold, it might be because the dye plate or array card was not centrifuged sufficiently. Try centrifuging the plate or array card for a longer time, then repeat the calibration. Alternatively, the dye plate or array card may contain old or insufficient reagents; discard the consumable and run another.
T
Taylor HoganAug 22, 2025
What causes RNase P plate verification failure in Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment?
- C
  christopherdiazAug 23, 2025
  If the RNase P plate or array card verification run failed on your Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment, check the heat seal of the wells with lower volumes for signs of damage or evaporation. Also, contamination or inaccurate fluid transfer during plate or array card manufacturing may cause the failure.
J
Joshua PhamAug 28, 2025
Why normalization calibration failed on Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment?
- T
  Timothy DavidAug 28, 2025
  If the normalization calibration failed on your Applied Biosystems Laboratory Equipment, it may be due to abnormally low spectra across all wells of the array card.

Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 6 Flex Specifications

General

Type	Real-Time PCR System
Number of Channels	6
Excitation Source	LED
Multiplexing	Yes
Temperature Accuracy	±0.25°C
Temperature Uniformity	±0.5 °C
Software	QuantStudio Design and Analysis Software
Connectivity	USB, Ethernet
Format	96-well, 384-well
Detection Method	Fluorescence
Optical System	Filter-based
Temperature Range	4 to 100°C
Power Requirements	100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz

Summary

About this guide

Purpose

Explains the scope and intent of the user guide.

Audience

Identifies the intended readers of the guide.

Assumptions

Lists prerequisites and prior knowledge assumed for users.

User attention words

Explains specific words used to convey levels of observation or action.

CHAPTER 1 Getting started

Differences between the QuantStudio 6 and 7 Flex Real-Time PCR Systems

Details the differences between the QuantStudio 6 and 7 Flex PCR Systems.

Data collection

Explains how the instrument collects raw fluorescence data during PCR.

Instrument filters and supported dyes

Describes the instrument's optical filters and the dyes they support.

Instrument hardware

Details the physical components of the instrument.

Instrument software

Describes the software applications used for instrument operation.

Instrument consumables

Lists the specialized consumables supported by the instrument.

CHAPTER 2 Calibrate the instrument

Calibration overview

Provides an overview of instrument calibration procedures and schedules.

Calibration workflow

Outlines the sequence for performing instrument calibrations.

Define the mail server settings

Details how to configure SMTP server settings for email notifications.

Modify the notification settings for a monitored instrument

Explains how to adjust notification settings for specific instrument calibrations.

Guidelines for preparing calibration plates and array cards

Provides essential guidelines for preparing calibration consumables correctly.

Preparing array cards for instrument calibration

Details the process for preparing array cards for calibration.

ROI calibration

Details the process of calibrating the Region of Interest.

Background calibration

Details the process of performing background calibration.

Uniformity calibration

Details the process of performing uniformity calibration.

Dye calibration

Details the process of performing dye calibration.

Normalization calibration (TaqMan Array Card only)

Details normalization calibration specific to TaqMan Array Cards.

Verify the instrument performance

Describes how to perform tests to verify instrument performance.

Troubleshooting

Provides solutions for common calibration and verification issues.

APPENDIX A Manual instrument operation

Overview of instrument touchscreen functions

Summarizes the functions available via the instrument's touchscreen interface.

Operate the instrument from the touchscreen

Details how to perform basic operations using the touchscreen.

Run an experiment

Explains the steps to start and run an experiment on the instrument.

Transfer experiments, templates, and results data

Describes how to transfer data to and from the instrument using USB drives.

Maintain the instrument from the touchscreen

Covers maintenance tasks accessible via the touchscreen.

Perform an instrument self test

Describes how to run a comprehensive self-test for instrument diagnostics.

Administrate the instrument from the touchscreen

Covers administrative functions available on the touchscreen.

Define the instrument settings

Covers configuring basic instrument settings like name and icon.

Define the network settings

Guides the configuration of network parameters for instrument connectivity.

Enable or disable instrument security

Covers enabling/disabling secure mode and administrator password management.

APPENDIX B Maintenance

Decontaminate the sample block

Provides steps to clean and decontaminate the sample block from contaminants.

Replace the halogen lamp

Details the procedure for replacing the instrument's halogen lamp.

Replace the instrument fuses

Guides the process of replacing instrument fuses if they fail.

Install the QuantStudio Real-Time PCR Software

Explains how to install the QuantStudio software.

Software licenses

Covers licensing for optional software modules like HRM.

Update the QuantStudio Real-Time PCR Software

Explains how to download and install software updates.

Change the sample block

Details how to replace the instrument's sample block.

Change the heated cover

Guides the replacement process for the instrument's heated cover.

Change the plate adapter

Explains how to change the plate adapter for different consumable formats.

APPENDIX C Networking

Networking overview

Introduces network connectivity for QuantStudio systems.

Network setup workflow

Outlines the steps for connecting the instrument to a local area network.

Connect the QuantStudio 6 or 7 Flex System to the network

Details connecting the instrument to the network via Ethernet.

Connect the computer to the network

Guides connecting the control computer to the network.

Monitor the QuantStudio 6 or 7 Flex Real-Time PCR System

Describes how to remotely monitor the instrument status via software.

APPENDIX D Power on or off, store, and move

Place the QuantStudio 6 or 7 Flex Real-Time PCR System on standby

Explains how to put the instrument into standby mode.

Power on the QuantStudio 6 or 7 Flex Real-Time PCR System

Details the procedure to power on the instrument and associated computer.

Store the QuantStudio 6 or 7 Flex System

Provides guidance on storing the instrument for extended periods.

Move the QuantStudio 6 or 7 Flex System

Provides safety and procedural guidelines for safely moving the instrument.

Reinstall the QuantStudio 6 or 7 Flex System

Guides the process of reinstalling the instrument after moving.

APPENDIX E Security, audit, and electronic signature

Administrator overview

Introduces the Security, Audit, and Electronic Signature module features.

Configure the security system

Details how to enable/disable security and set user policies.

Set account setup and security policies

Covers configuring user account limits and password policies.

User account management

Guides the creation, editing, and management of user accounts.

Create or edit a user role

Details how to create or modify user roles and their permissions.

Audit trail management

Covers management of the audit trail feature.

Audit report generation

Details how to generate and manage audit reports.

Manage electronic signature

Covers management of the electronic signature feature.

Select the actions that require signature

Defines which actions require electronic signatures and how many.

Export and import user, security, audit, and e-signature settings

Covers exporting and importing security configurations for multiple systems.

APPENDIX F Calibration consumable preparation

Create a background plate or array card

Guides the preparation of consumables for background calibration.

Create a custom dye plate for calibration

Details the process for preparing a custom dye plate for calibration.

APPENDIX G Parts and materials

How to order

Explains how to order parts and accessories directly from the website or software.

Kits, consumables, and accessories

Lists available kits, consumables, and accessories for the systems.

APPENDIX H Instrument specification and layout

QuantStudio 6 and 7 Flex Systems specifications

Provides physical dimensions and weight specifications for the instruments.

Required clearances

Specifies the necessary space around the instrument for proper operation.

Electrical requirements

Outlines the electrical power and connection requirements for the system.

Environmental requirements

Lists environmental conditions (altitude, temp, humidity) for instrument operation.

Network requirements

Details network connectivity requirements and hardware.

QuantStudio 6 and 7 Flex Systems layout and connections

APPENDIX I Safety

Symbols on this instrument

Explains safety symbols and their meanings found on the instrument.

Standard safety symbols

Lists and describes common safety symbols with their associated warnings.

Additional safety symbols

Lists additional safety symbols related to laser, moving parts, and hazards.

Location of safety labels

Shows the physical placement of safety labels on the instrument.

Control and connection symbols

Explains symbols for power and connectivity ports on the instrument.

Instrument safety

Provides general safety precautions for instrument operation and maintenance.

Physical injury

Warns about hazards related to moving parts and lifting the instrument.

Electrical safety

Covers crucial safety information regarding electrical supply and handling.

Cleaning and decontamination

Details safe methods for cleaning and decontaminating the instrument.

Laser safety—barcode scanner

Explains laser safety precautions for the barcode scanner.

Workstation safety

Offers recommendations for ergonomic workstation setup to prevent injury.

Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards

Lists standards the instrument complies with for safety and EMC.

Chemical safety

Provides general safety guidelines for handling chemicals in the laboratory.

Biological hazard safety

Addresses safety precautions when working with potential biohazards.

APPENDIX J Documentation and support

Limited product warranty

Outlines the terms and conditions of the product warranty.

Glossary

Related product manuals

Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5

18 pages

Applied Biosystems 7500

174 pages

Applied Biosystems 7900HT

384 pages

Applied Biosystems ViiA 7 Real

22 pages

Applied Biosystems StepOne

184 pages

GeneAmp PCR System 9700

128 pages

Applied Biosystems 2720

122 pages

Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast