Description
QIAxcel instruments, when used in conjunction with QIAxcel DNA Kits, provide fully automated size separation and quantification of DNA fragments in up to 96 samples per run. QIAxcel technology, based on capillary electrophoresis using gel cartridges, provides unmatched resolution, speed, and throughput. QIAxcel gel cartridges are reusable, allowing up to 250 runs of 12 samples to be performed. Preinstalled methods suitable for most applications are provided. QIAGEN can also create customized methods for users. The QIAxcel DNA High Sensitivity Kit only works with the QIAxcel Connect. All other QIAxcel DNA Kits work with either the QIAxcel Connect or QIAxcel Advanced Instruments. QIAxcel DNA Accessories are compatible with all QIAxcel DNA Kits.
Easy high-resolution analysis Genotyping organisms, PCR-based cDNA library screening, and many other biomedical research and molecular biology applications require discrimination of PCR fragments that vary in size by a small number of base pairs. The QIAxcel High Resolution Kit, in combination with QIAxcel instruments, allows analysis of DNA fragments between 15 bp and 5 kb in size. Fragments smaller than 500 bp can be separated with a resolution of 3–5 bp, providing greater confidence in data interpretation than is possible with conventional high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis (see Sensitive detection of a mutated cancer-related gene). At a detection sensitivity of 0.1 ng/µl DNA in undiluted amplification reactions, QIAxcel instruments offer more robust results with less sample input material. The QIAxcel DNA Screening Kit is highly suited for routine evaluation of fragments for restriction endonuclease digestion, qualitative singleplex or multiplex PCR, and other DNA applications (see High-resolution analysis of multiplex PCR samples). The use of gel cartridges for DNA screening streamlines the lab workflow by minimizing analysis time for fragments of 15 bp to 5 kb in size - 96 samples are processed in approximately 1 hour. A resolution of 20–50 bp can be obtained for fragments smaller than 1 kb. Sample consumption is less than 0.1 µl, leaving virtually all of your precious sample for further downstream use. The QIAxcel DNA Fast Analysis Kit is highly suited for routine evaluation of DNA fragments in qualitative single or multiplex PCR applications. Use of gel cartridges for DNA screening streamlines the lab workflow by minimizing analysis time for fragments of 15 bp to 3 kb in size — 12 samples are processed in just 3 minutes and 96 samples in approximately 25 minutes (see Screenshot showing data from PCR fragment analysis). A resolution of down to 50 bp can be achieved with the QIAxcel DNA Fast Analysis gel cartridge, while sample consumption is less than 0.1 μl. The QIAxcel DNA High Sensitivity Kit lets you analyze DNA in concentrations as low as 5 pg/μl. Analysis time for fragments 15 bp – 3 kb in size is around 9 minutes for 12 samples. A resolution of 20–50 bp can be achieved with the QIAxcel DNA High Sensitivity gel cartridge.
QIAxcel instruments use capillary gel electrophoresis to enable fast size-based separation of nucleic acids (see Sample separation process). Unlike traditional agarose gel electrophoresis, separation is performed in a capillary of a ready-to-use gel cartridge. The samples are automatically loaded into an individual capillary and voltage is applied. The negatively charged nucleic acid molecules migrate through the capillary to the positively charged terminus. As with agarose gel electrophoresis, low-molecular-weight molecules migrate faster than high-molecular-weight molecules. As the molecules migrate through the capillary, they pass a detector which detects and measures the fluorescent signal. A photomultiplier converts the fluorescent signal into electronic data, which are then transferred to the computer for further processing using QIAxcel ScreenGel software. After processing, the data are displayed as an electropherogram or gel image.
QIAxcel DNA Kits simplify separation and analysis of DNA fragments, and provide increased user safety. Just a few simple steps are required: load the gel cartridge, fill and load the buffer tray, load the samples in 96-well plates or in PCR tubes or strips, select the process profile to be used, and go. Tedious gel preparation and extensive user training are eliminated, streamlining the workflow and facilitating integration of the system into the daily lab routine. Within minutes of starting a run, the first results appear in real time on the computer screen (see Reduced run times).
