64 | 405 TS Getting Started Guide
Vacuum Filtration for Filter Plate Assays
With the optional vacuum filtration accessory kit, you can process most standard-
size filter-bottom microplates.
l Install the side bracket
l Set up the Vacuum Filtration module
l Enable Vacuum Filtration
l Install Vacuum Filtration Plate Carrier on page 67
Take advantage of the sample vacuum filtration protocols shipped onboard the 405 TS.
Copy W-Luminex_Vac_96, for example, and modify the parameters to suit your assay
requirements.
Recommendations for best performance:
Here are some guidelines to achieve the best performance of your filter plate
assays:
l Do not use dry filter plates. If dry plates are required by the assay kit
instructions, turn off the Vacuum Filtration sensor to avoid process
interruptions.
l Shake the plate to suspend the beads before aspiration. Enable the wash
cycle option to shake the plate after the dispense and before aspiration. Also
consider creating a multi-step protocol that begins by shaking the plate.
l Experiment with the two parameters, aspiration time and vacuum level, to
determine the best combination of settings for your assay. Start with a brief
time period and low vacuum to avoid lodging the beads in the filter material.
l Maintain consistent vacuum during the process with a tight seal:
l Use new or defect-free filter plates and make sure they are seated
perfectly in the carrier;
l Make sure all tubing is connected correctly, and leak-free.
Expect to spend some time experimenting with different pressure settings. Follow
the filter plate manufacturer's recommendations, if available. Generally, bead
assays prefer low pressure and DNA separation assays prefer higher pressure. The
best performance in tests at BioTek were seen when the pressure was set to 2.5
inHg.
405™ TS Microplate Washer
To Next Page
