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Troubleshooting page

General

How often should the QuantStudio 1 instrument be calibrated?

Recommended maintenance schedule

ROI/Uniformity

• Every two years (recommended)
• Always perform new Background and Dye calibrations after a ROI/Uniformity calibration.
Note: Performing a ROI/Uniformity calibration invalidates all other calibrations.

Background

• Every two years (recommended)
• Background calibration can also be performed, as needed:
– To check for contamination (depends on usage and
laboratory conditions).
– To obtain the most accurate data for the removal of
background fluorescence.
Note: Performing a Background calibration does not invalidate any other calibration.

Pure dye

• Every two years (recommended)
• During a Dye calibration, only the dyes on the given spectral calibration plate are calibrated.
Note: Performing a Dye calibration for a given dye plate does not invalidate any other calibration.

RNaseP instrument verification

• After installing or moving the instrument
• After performing instrument calibrations
• As needed to confirm instrument performance

Perform an instrument self-test

Every month

Check computer disk space. If necessary, archive or back up your experiment files and instrument settings

Weekly

Power on/off the computer controlling the instrument

Weekly

What is different between the QuantStudio 1, 3, 5 and the interchangeable block system (QuantStudio 6 Pro, 6 Flex, 7 Pro and 7 Flex) instruments?

The QuantStudio 1, 3, and 5 instruments take up lesser space on the lab bench and come with one fixed block configuration. The interchangeable block systems (QuantStudio 6 and 7 Pro and the QuantStudio 6 and 7 Flex instruments) have a larger footprint but also have additional features and benefits. See more information at thermofisher.com/qpcrsystems. The QuantStudio 1 instrument is an affordable instrument that offers the most essential features for qPCR analysis: 3 color detection and the most commonly used 96-well, 0.2 mL block. It offers the capability to have Wi-Fi connection and use of the instrument with guest, user, and administrator accounts.

The main factors to consider when selecting an instrument is the multiplex reaction capacity, i.e., number of colors detected, block format needed, and if the blocks need to be interchangeable. Please see the comparative table on page 36 in this brochure.

Which plastic consumables should I use with the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

We recommend using plastic consumables matching the level of transparency and having similar level of background fluorescence as the plates in the instrument calibration kit, which have frosted polypropylene wells. The MicroAmp EnduraPlate plates contain polycarbonate frames of various colors but have the same frosted polypropylene wells as the plates in the instrument calibration kit. Please find the list of compatible plastic consumables below:

SKU

Description

Format

403012

MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate with Barcode & Optical Caps

20 plates

4306737

MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate with Barcode

20 plates

4326659

MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate with Barcode

500 plates

4311971

MicroAmp Optical Adhesive Film

100 covers

4360954

MicroAmp Optical Adhesive Film

25 covers

4312063

MicroAmp Splash-Free 96-Well Base

10 bases

4313663

MicroAmp Optical Adhesive Film Kit

1 kit

4314320

MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate with Barcode & Optical Adhesive Films

100 plates

4316567

MicroAmp Optical 8-Tube Strip, 0.2 mL

125 strips

4316813

MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate

500 plates

N8010560

MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate

10 plates

4323032

MicroAmp Optical 8-Cap Strips

300 strips

4333183

MicroAmp Adhesive Film Applicator

5 applicators

4379590

MicroAmp 96-Well Support Base

10 bases

4483343

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Blue Reaction Plates with Barcode

20 plates

4483348

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Clear GPLE Reaction Plates with Barcode

20 plates

4483351

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Clear GPLE Reaction Plates with Barcode

500 plates

4483349

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Green Reaction Plates with Barcode

20 plates

4483350

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Red Reaction Plates with Barcode

20 plates

4483352

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Clear Reaction Plates with Barcode

500 plates

4483354

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Clear Reaction Plates with Barcode

20 plates

4483355

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Multicolor Reaction Plates with Barcode

5 plates

4483356

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Multicolor Reaction Plates with Barcode

500 plates

4483395

MicroAmp EnduraPlate Optical 96-Well Yellow Reaction Plates with Barcode

20 plates

A30588

MicroAmp Optical 8-Tube Strip with Attached Optical Caps, 0.2 mL

125 strips

AB0538

Workstation/Stacking System for Tubes/Plates

10 racks

AB0900

PCR Plate, 96-well, segmented, semi-skirted

25 plates

AB0900W

PCR Plate, 96-well, segmented, semi-skirted, white

25 plates

AB0990

PCR Plate, 96-well, rigid, semi-skirted

25 plates

AB1170

ABsolute qPCR Plate Seals

50 seals

AB1391

Adhesive Seal Applicator

1 applicator

AB1400

PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck

25 plates

AB1400150

PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck

150 plates

AB1400L

PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, black lettering

25 plates

AB1400W

PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, white

25 plates

AB1400WL

PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, black lettering, white

25 plates

AB1820

VersiCap Mat, 96-well, ultra clear cap strips

25 mats

AB1820100

VersiCap Mat, 96-well, ultra clear cap strips

100 mats

AB2005

EasyStrip Plus Tube Strip with Attached Ultra Clear Caps

250 strips

AB2400

SuperPlate PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted

25 plates

AB2400W

SuperPlate PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, white

25 plates

AB2596

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, clear, semi-skirted, clear wells

25 plates

AB2596B

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, blue, semi-skirted, clear wells

25 plates

AB2596G

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, green, semi-skirted, clear wells

25 plates

AB2596O

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, orange, semi-skirted, clear wells

25 plates

AB2596R

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, red, semi-skirted, clear wells

25 plates

AB2596Y

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, yellow, semi-skirted, clear wells

25 plates

AB3596

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, clear, semi-skirted, white wells

25 plates

AB3596B

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, blue, semi-skirted, white wells

25 plates

AB3596G

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, green, semi-skirted, white wells

25 plates

AB3596O

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, orange, semi-skirted, white wells

25 plates

AB3596R

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, red, semi-skirted, white wells

25 plates

AB3596Y

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, yellow, semi-skirted, white wells

25 plates

BC0900

PCR Plate, 96-well, segmented, semi-skirted, barcoded

25 plates

BC1400

PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, barcoded

25 plates

BC1400W

PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, white, barcoded

25 plates

BC2400

SuperPlate PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, barcoded

25 plates

BC2400W

SuperPlate PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, white, barcoded

25 plates

BC2596

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, clear, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC2596B

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, blue, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC2596G

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, green, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC2596O

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, orange, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC2596R

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, red, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC2596Y

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, yellow, semi-skirted, clear wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC3596

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, clear, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC3596B

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, blue, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC3596G

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, green, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC3596O

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, orange, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC3596R

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, red, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded

25 plates

BC3596Y

Armadillo PCR Plate, 96-well, yellow, semi-skirted, white wells, barcoded

25 plates

N8010531

MicroAmp 96-Well Base

10 bases

N8010560

MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate

10 plates

PRK0963

Preparation Rack, 96-well, with cover

5 racks

PRK1963

Aluminium Support, tube/plate rack, 96-well

1 rack

Can I perform a high resolution melt (HRM) experiment with the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

Yes, it is possible. Please calibrate the instrument for MeltDoctor dye using MeltDoctor HRM Calibration Standard (20X) (Cat. No. 4425562) and the custom dye calibration protocol. The run should be performed with standard melt curve experiment settings. For data analysis after the run, we offer HRM Cloud app or HRM software v3.2 that is now also compatible with the QuantStudio 1 instrument.

Can I perform a protein thermal shift experiment with the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

Yes, it is possible. Please use the following settings to start the run: Melt Curve experiment type, ROX filter, and NFQ-MGB probe type and recommendations as described in the Protein Thermal Shift User Guide.

The Protein Thermal Shift Software v1.4 is now compatible with the QuantStudio 1 instrument and Windows 10.

Operation
Can I connect several QuantStudio 1 instruments to the same computer?

Yes, it is possible. Please use local area network (LAN) connection and see page 17 of the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System User Guide for supported configuration options. However, it is not possible to connect more than one instrument directly to one computer (supplied by Thermo Fisher Scientific) using wired connection due to single Ethernet port availability on the computer supplied by us. Also, please note that starting a run simultaneously from the same computer on two connected instruments is not yet fully validated.

Can I add a pause to my QuantStudio 1 run method and add reagents to the plate during the run?

The QuantStudio 1 instrument has a “pause” option for holding the cycling. This pause can be actually scheduled in the middle of the run. Please see page 46 of the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System User Guide for further details. It is also possible to pause a run, set a pause temperature, and then open the drawer to access the plate during the run using “unlock drawer” option.

Please note that the plate temperature can reach 100°C during the run. If you want to access the plate during a run pause, enter “room temperature” as the pause temperature and allow the plate to cool to room temperature before handling.

How many targets can I multiplex in one well using the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

The QuantStudio 1 instrument has filters to perform a duplex reaction with FAM/VIC and ROX as the passive reference dye. Alternatively, a triplex reaction can be carried out using FAM/VIC/JUN without a passive reference dye. Please see the figure on page 10 of the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System User Guide.

Is it necessary to have internet connection for the QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System?

The internet connection would allow monitoring the run via a mobile app, uploading templates from the Thermo Fisher Cloud on any other computer, and getting the most recent updates of firmware and software, etc. However, internet connection is not necessary to start the run and perform the analysis.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.