DNA Engine Tetrad 2 Thermal Cycler Operations Manual
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Enter Key
This is located below the navigation keys and is used to accept specific program-
ming additions and modifications.
Note: The external mouse is used to execute selected commands, access menus,
and to toggle through selection options in a list.
Numeric Keypad
This is located to the right of the navigation buttons and consists of a typical numeric
keypad (numbers 0–9). There is also a backspace/delete key and a decimal button.
The numeric keypad is used to enter parameters such as temperature, hold time, and
cycle iterations.
Programming Conventions
Before starting the programming process, let’s review the conventions used here.
• << >> will be used to indicate actual keys on the control panel, such as
<<ENTER>>, <<1>>, and <<LEFT>>.
• < > will be used to indicate windowed menu items or buttons, such as <PROGRAMS>,
<RUN> and <UTILITIES>.
• Italics will be used to indicate windowed items that are not drop-down menu
items or buttons, such as Calculated, Block, and Tracking. Typically, these will be
parameter selection items.
• Select is meant to be synonymous with click on, point-and-click, and any phrase-
ology implying selection of menu or option items with the mouse.
The Elements of a Program
Tetrad 2 programs consist of a combination or series of steps and setup parameters
that represent protocol requirements.
Note: The procedures involved in actually entering these steps will be described in sub-
sequent pages, but please familiarize yourself with the types of steps used to create
Tetrad 2 programs.
The considerations behind choosing various elements will be explained further in the
“Considerations During Program Creation” section. The following is a summary of the
individual program elements and their basic functions.
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