Upstream processes, downstream applications, and alternative quantification methods
Quantification of nucleic acids and protein commonly fits into a workflow that involves extracting and isolating your desired analyte, quantifying it, and using the quantified analyte as input into a downstream application. In this section, we provide links to selected upstream extraction and isolation tools, alternative quantification methods, and common downstream applications.
Qubit-related products and methods
Upstream processes
Alternative quantification methods
Downstream applications
*The Ion Torrent Genexus System offers a fast, easy, automated end-to-end next-generation sequencing workflow that delivers NGS test results in as little as 24 hours. Because the Genexus System incorporates Qubit technology for nucleic acid quantification, a separate Qubit fluorometer is not needed.
Nucleic acid quantification methods and instruments
UV absorbance and NanoDrop spectrophotometers
Although fluorometry is more sensitive and selective for quantifying nucleic acids, the UV absorbance method can provide accurate results for many applications without additional reagents. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry is also excellent at detecting impurities in a sample, and many labs use both of these technologies for different purposes.
Compare the two quantification methods and UV-Vis options like NanoDrop spectrophotometers, Multiskan SkyHigh spectrophotometer, and Varioskan LUX Multimode Microplate Reader at our RNA/DNA Quantification page.
Fluorescence microplate readers
For high-throughput quantification, consider using a microplate reader with fluorescence capabilities. Our Varioskan ALF and Varioskan LUX Multimode Microplate Readers are compatible with Quant-iT assays to quantify the same analytes as Qubit Fluorometers and Qubit assays. Each Varioskan model (pictured) can perform both fluorometric and spectrophotometric assays.
Compare and check out these high-throughput instruments at our Microplate Reader Instrument Models page.
Quant-iT assays
For high-throughput fluorometric quantification, we recommend using Quant-iT assays on a Varioskan ALF or Varioskan LUX fluorometric plate reader. These assays quantify the same analytes as Qubit Fluorometers and Qubit Assays in the same way, but are designed for high-volume testing.
Recommended assays for different throughput levels
Number of samples |
Recommendation |
1–20 |
Qubit assay kits for use with Qubit Fluorometers |
20–2,000 |
Quant-iT assay kits and reagents for use with microplate readers |
>2,000 |
Quant-iT bulk reagents and kits |
Quant-iT assays and reagents are available to quantify dsDNA, RNA, microRNA, and protein. They are similar to Qubit assays and cover similar ranges (such as dsDNA HS and BR) and formats (such as 1X dsDNA).
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.