Bio-Rad EXQuest Spot Cutter - Manual (Page 273)

PDQuest User Guide
8-8
When calibration is complete, you can proceed with normal use of the spot cutter.
Once the cutter is calibrated, you do not need to repeat the procedure during normal
day-to-day use. You must recalibrate if:
• The instrument is moved.
• You install or remove the lens filter after calibration.
8.2 Cutting Spots
After you have focused the camera and calibrated the spot cutter, you are ready to
begin cutting spots. The Basic Excision tool control panel is designed to guide you
through the procedure.
1. Acquire Image. In this step, you capture an image of your gel or membrane using
the spot cutter camera.
2. Specify Cuts. In this step, you identify the spots in the image that you want to cut.
3. Select the Cut Run Options. These options can be adjusted for each cut run.
4. Set Wash Options. Select the wash stations to use after each cut by clicking on
one or more checkboxes.
8.2.a Step 1. Acquiring the Image
Before acquiring an image, select the light option appropriate for your gel/membrane/
stain type:
• Light on (gels).
• Light off (PVDF membranes). Ambient light will produce a better image for
PVDF membranes.
• UV on (fluorescent gels). UV light is only available for the Fluorescent Spot
Cutters.