Bio-Rad iQ™5 Optical System Software, Version 2.1 - Manual (Page 120)

Section 7 Calibrating the Instrument
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Section 7. Calibrating the Instrument
This section contains information on the following topics:
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Calibration overview (page 111)
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Components required for calibration (page 111)
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Preparing calibration plates (page 112)
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Performing calibrations (page 112)
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Viewing calibration files (page 119)
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Troubleshooting optics with the Image Window (page 120)
7.1 Calibration Overview
To run experiments on the MyiQ2, MyiQ and iQ5 systems requires that the instruments are
calibrated. There are four different calibrations required for the MyiQ2 and iQ5 systems: mask
alignment, background calibration, persistent well factor generation, and pure dye calibration.
NOTE: Pure dye calibration is NOT performed on the MyiQ Real-Time PCR Detection System.
Calibration should be performed when;
• The instrument is installed
• Any of the components that affect the light path are replaced such as the lamp, filters,
optical lid or optics module
• Whenever prompted by the software as calibrations expire
Calibration factors are specific for the optical path you are using, which includes the reaction
vessel and sealing mechanism used in the experiment you wish to run. Consequently calibrate
using the reaction vessel type (plates or tubes) and sealing method (film or caps) you will use for
your future experiments.
The iQ5 software requires persistent well factor calibration for all combinations of reaction vessel,
sealing product, and reaction volume that you anticipate using, even if dynamic well factor
collection is selected. This feature prevents the run aborting if dynamic well factor collection from
the experimental plate fails.
7.2 Components Required for Calibration
The following reagents and accessories are required to calibrate the MyiQ2 instrument:
• MyiQ2 Calibrator Dye Solution kit (catalog #170-8791)
• External Well Factor Solution (catalog #170-8794)
• 3 x 96-well PCR plates or preferred reaction vessel
• Optical-quality sealing tape or preferred sealing method