Bio-Rad Components for Older Model Spot Cutter - Manual (Page 22)

• When the cutting tip is centered over the well, click the "Test" button to assess the
clearance into the microtiter plate well. Once the tip is set to the A1 well, the interwell
dimensions are already in the software, so the tip is calibrated for the entire plate. Press
the "Done" button to save the calibration changes.
Figure 9. Calibration of Microtiter Plates.
3.6.2 Assignment of Microtiter Plate Deposit Sequence
There are two different deposit sequence modes into the microtiter plate, 1) deposit
sequence A1, B1, C1, D1, etc. is indicated as "by number" or, 2) A1, A2, A3, A4, etc. is
indicated as "by letter". The last used mode will be saved for the next operation.
• Click "spot cutter settings" icon in setup area of the "Basic Excision Tool" dialog box.
• Select the desired deposit sequence.
This deposit sequence A1, B1, C1, D1, etc. is designed to accommodate partial plate filling
in preparation for digestion in the Micromass MassPrep robot. This instrument uses 4
liquid delivery pipettes designed to work down the plate in sets of 4 from A1-D1, then
E1-H1, A2-D2, etc. The PDQuest Spot Cutter software automatically assigns the spot
numbers to the well locations, so there is no possibility of error in tracking the location in
the microtiter plate.
3.7 Calibration of the Wash Well Position
The wash wells are an optional item in the sequence of spot cutting. If they are checked
in the software screen for use, the spot cutter will cut the target, move to the microtiter plate,
deposit, then go to the designated wash tube, lower, spin, eject, and raise up again, then move
to the next wash station or back to the target. This option provides additional methods to
prevent any sample contamination.
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