System Description 24
3.6 Microsoft Windows-Compatible Computer
A notebook computer is configured by MSD for use with the instrument and comes preloaded with MSD DISCOVERY WORKBENCH
Software. The notebook computer and its software are an integral part of the system and should only be modified by an MSD service
engineer. The computer is connected to the instrument by a single USB cable (
Figure 3:8).
Figure 3:8 Notebook computer cable attachments (USB and power)
3.7 MSD DISCOVERY WORKBENCH Software
DISCOVERY WORKBENCH is a Windows application that supports the operation of the instrument, stores both current and historical
plate data, and analyzes and presents results. The application has several components: instrument modules, a secure database (the Plate
Data History), kit layouts, data integrity features, and data analysis functions. Please refer to the DISCOVERY WORKBENCH User’s Guide
for additional information.
3.8 Operational Modes
The instrument can be configured as a stand-alone reader or integrated with robotic systems. It has 3 operational modes:
•
The 1-stack mode uses only the input plate stack for both loading and unloading single plates.
•
The 2-stack mode uses the input and output plate stacks for loading and unloading multiple plates. Up to 5 plates may be
loaded into the input stack at a time. Output stack capacity is also 5 plates.
•
The robotic operational mode can use either the 1-stack or 2-stack mode with robotic handling of plates. See 4.4 Robotics
Integration for general information on robotic application.
3.9 Image Readout
The QuickPlex SQ 120 uses a CCD camera to obtain images of the plate during readout. One advantage of imaging detection is that the
time required to read a plate is independent of the format of the plate (i.e., both single spot and MULTI-SPOT plates are read in the same
amount of time).
The QuickPlex SQ 120 reads both SECTOR (
Figure 3:9) and QUICKPLEX plates. When reading QUICKPLEX plates, the QuickPlex SQ
120 instrument reads each well within a sector individually. The wells in each group are read in the following order: upper left, upper
right, lower left, lower right. (
Figure 3:10).
The QuickPlex SQ 120 instrument reads SECTOR plates at a rate of 1 minute, 30 seconds per plate and reads QUICKPLEX plates 1 well
at a time at a rate of 2 minutes, 45 seconds per plate.
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