Bio-Rad Experion Protein Analysis Kits - Manual (Page 10)

2.1 Storing and Preparing Samples and Reagents
Store all Experion ™ Pro260 reagents at 4°C when not in use. Do not store reagents at room temperature
for >2 hr, as this will shorten their shelf life.
Before use, allow all kit reagents to equilibrate to room temperature (~15–20 min). Once thawed, gently
vortex all kit reagents before use. Before opening the tubes, quickly centrifuge them to collect solution
to the bottoms of tubes.
If the Pro260 gel has frozen, discard it.
Protect the stain, sample buffer, and gel-stain solution (GS) from light: store these solutions in a dark
place and keep them covered with foil when using them.
The Pro260 stain contains DMSO, which is hygroscopic. Cap tightly.
Use GS and filtered gel (G) for up to 1 month. After that, GS and G can be refiltered once again.
Prepare samples in either reducing or nonreducing sample buffer, but always prepare Pro260 ladder in
reducing sample buffer.
Do not use coated or treated pipet tips or microcentrifuge tubes (for example, siliconized polypropylene)
for preparation of kit reagents or samples. Use of treated tips or tubes may cause separation artifacts.
Use 0.2 μm-filtered or ReadyPrep ™ proteomics grade water. Do not use autoclaved water for sample
or reagent preparation.
If possible, use sample protein concentrations (before preparation with the Pro260 sample buffer) that
are near the middle of the linear dynamic range.
2.2 Priming and Loading the Chip
To avoid contamination, wear gloves and handle chips by the edges. Never touch the glass portions of
the chip.
Load the chip on a benchtop or in the priming station. Never load a chip in the electrophoresis station.
Avoid sources of dust and other contaminants when preparing samples and loading the chip. Foreign
particles in reagents, samples, or the wells of the chip interfere with separation. Remove chips from their
packaging immediately before use.
It may be easier to load the chip on a white background. Tilt the chip to look for bubbles.
Use narrow-bore pipet tips for loading the chip (for example, VWR #87001-688 or Rainin #L-10F).
To avoid introducing air bubbles, do the following (for more help with chip loading, refer to the Experion
Training Video in the Experion software Help section under Contents and Index > Contents >
Appendices > Technical Videos):
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Insert the pipet tip all the way to the bottom of the chip well when dispensing liquids
(this reduces the possibility of trapping air)
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Hold the tip vertically, perpendicular to the chip surface. Holding the tip at an angle
may trap air bubbles at the bottom of the well
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When expelling liquid, dispense slowly and only to the first stop on the pipet. Using the
second stop introduces air and bubbles into the liquid. Reverse pipetting is acceptable
6 Technical Support: 1-800-4BIORAD • 1-800-424-6723 • www.bio-rad.com
Experion Automated Electrophoresis System