The manuals, brochures, application notes, downloads, demos, videos, and other resources in this section will help you get the most out of your original Qubit (1.0), 2.0, or 3.0 Fluorometer.
From the Qubit 3.0 Fluorometer home screen, touch Settings > About instrument to verify the software version currently on your instrument. If your instrument requires a software upgrade, download the latest version to your computer by clicking the link below. Then transfer it onto the Qubit 3.0 Fluorometer using a USB drive or USB cable and install it by touching Settings > Update software. For more detailed instructions, consult the Qubit 3.0 user guide.
Connecting a Qubit 3.0 Fluorometer to a computer running the Windows® operating system requires installation of a driver. Download both the driver and installation instructions below.
Designing and uploading a custom MyQubit assay for the Qubit 3.0 Fluorometer is the same as on the Qubit 4 Fluorometer. See the step-by-step instructions on the main Resources page.
Download preconfigured assays for the Qubit 3.0 Fluorometer from the table below.
As examples of the kinds of custom MyQubit assays you can create, we have developed new MyQubit assays for several commonly quantitated analytes using Amplex Red reagents, along with MyQubit versions of two newer Qubit assays that weren’t preloaded on the Qubit 2.0 or 3.0 Fluorometer. When you transfer the assay .qbt files to your Qubit Fluorometer via a USB drive, they will be available alongside the factory-loaded Qubit assays, extending the capabilities of your Qubit Fluorometer.
Assay |
Download for Qubit 3.0 and 4 |
Download for Qubit 2.0* |
PDF manual |
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1X dsDNA HS Assay |
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MicroRNA Assay |
Preloaded |
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Amplex Red Cholesterol Assay |
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Amplex Red Galactose Assay |
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Amplex Glucose Assay |
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Amplex Red Glutamic Acid Assay |
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Amplex Red Peroxide Assay |
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Amplex Red Sucrose Assay |
*The Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer requires a USB flash drive of 2 GB or less, such as the one provided with the instrument, to transfer MyQubit files.
To download the .qbt file, click on the appropriate link in the table. Consult the assay’s PDF manual for instructions on uploading the .qbt file to your Qubit Fluorometer.
Download preconfigured assays for the Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer from the table above.
MyQubit functionality allows you to create new assays for the Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer in minutes, using parameters that can easily be uploaded to the instrument using a USB drive, without changing the existing assays. Your new assays can be optimized versions of existing fluorescence-based assays or can be completely novel.
MyQubit functionality requires that your Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer is running firmware v3.11 or higher. The USB drive you use to transfer data must have a capacity of 2 GB or less, like the one that came with your instrument.
Once you’ve developed your own fluorescence-based assay, follow these steps to create a MyQubit assay that will allow you to analyze your samples with your Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer and directly translate the fluorescence values to concentrations.
Collecting the data. Prepare samples using your assay reagents and read them in Raw mode on the Qubit instrument. Raw mode allows you to manually select the excitation light source of your choice (blue or red LED, both, or none) while reading raw fluorescence values in both the green and far red emission channels. The values can be used to generate data to develop your new assay.
To upload your new assay .qbt file, first turn the power off by unplugging the Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer. While the instrument is unplugged, insert the USB drive into the USB port on the instrument and then plug the instrument back in. Your Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer will detect the .qbt file on the USB drive. If the file is correctly populated, you will be prompted to upload the assays contained in the .qbt file. Once the upload is complete, you will be directed to a new home screen where the Parent Name of your new MyQubit assay will be visible.
Once uploaded, your new MyQubit assay is ready to use. Refer to the Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer User Guide for a detailed description of instrument function and assay workflow.
MyQubit file parameters and definitions
Parameter |
Accepted values |
Description |
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Parent Name |
User defined, max 10 characters |
Indicates the name visible on the initial home screen, i.e., the “family” of assays. For example, “DNA” is a Parent Name on the factory-configured instrument. |
Name1 (and Name2, 3, 4) |
User defined, max 10 characters |
Indicates the individual assay name. For example, “dsDNA” is a Name on the factory-configured instrument. |
Name Sub-text |
User defined, max 20 characters |
Indicates any smaller sub-text under the assay name (or to the right of the assay name from the graphical display). For example, “High Sensitivity” is a Name Sub-text on the factory-configured instrument. |
Calibration |
YES or NO |
Indicates whether you are creating an assay that requires calibration or not. “YES” indicates that the assay will require calibration. All assays created using MyQubit that require calibration will utilize two standards, the first of which is always a sample blank (analyte concentration of “0”) and the second of which is a sample of a concentration to be determined by the user. “NO” indicates that the assay will not require calibration. In this case, the output will be a raw fluorescence value or values. |
Units |
User defined, text only, max 10 characters |
Required only when Calibration is “YES.” Maximum length 10 characters. |
Excitation |
BLUE, RED, BOTH, or NONE |
BOTH and NONE are acceptable only if Calibration is “NO.” Otherwise, this constitutes an error, and the .qbt file will not upload. BLUE = 470 nm, filter 430–495 nm. RED = 635 nm, filter 600–645 nm. |
Emission |
GREEN, FAR RED, or BOTH |
BOTH is acceptable only if Calibration is “NO.” Otherwise, this constitutes an error and the .qbt file will not upload. GREEN = 510–580 nm. FAR RED = 665–725 nm. |
Std Signal Ratio Limit |
User defined, numeric only |
Needed only when Calibration is “YES.” This number specifies the amount, in raw fluorescence, that the signal for Standard #2 must exceed the signal for Standard #1 for your MyQubit assay. This is meant to help troubleshoot large oversights in calibration. If you are unsure of a reasonable threshold, or if this is not of concern to you, then enter a small value that you will be assured of attaining in most calibrations. |
Low |
User defined, numeric only |
Needed only when Calibration is “YES.” Indicates the lowest sample concentration that the instrument will display a result for. Samples with concentrations below this value will be reported as “< Low” and will display the message “*Sample TOO LOW*” |
High |
User defined, numeric only |
Needed only when Calibration is “YES.” Indicates the highest sample concentration that the instrument will display a result for. Samples with concentrations above this value will be reported as “> High” and will display the message “*Sample TOO HIGH*” |
N |
User defined, numeric only |
Needed only when Calibration is “YES.” One of three algorithm constants that must be determined by the user. Indicates the linearity of the curve, with a value of 1.00 corresponding to completely linear. |
K |
User defined, a scaling factor, numeric only |
Needed only when Calibration is “YES.” One of three algorithm constants that must be determined by the user. Indicates the portion of the curve to focus on. |
S |
User defined, numeric only |
Needed only when Calibration is “YES.” One of three algorithm constants that must be determined by the user. Indicates the concentration value of Standard #2 used in assay calibration. |
Green RFU Name |
User defined, max 20 characters |
Indicates the name given to the displayed RFU output for Green emission when Calibration is “NO.” Needed only when Calibration is “NO” and Emission is “GREEN” or “BOTH.” |
Far Red RFU Name |
User defined, max 20 characters |
Indicates the name given to the displayed RFU output for Far Red emission when Calibration is “NO.” Needed only when Calibration is “NO” and Emission is “FAR RED” or “BOTH.” |
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.