Bio-Rad Experion DNA Analysis Kits - Manual (Page 16)

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3. Open the Experion priming station and place the chip on the chip platform, matching the arrow on
the chip with the alignment arrow on the chip platform. A post on the chip prevents insertion in the
wrong position. Do not force the chip into position.
4. Close the priming station by pressing down on the lid. The lid should snap closed.
5. Press Start. A “Priming” message appears on the screen of the priming station, and the timer counts
down. Priming requires 30 or 60 sec. Do not open the priming station during countdown.
6. An audible signal and “Ready” message indicate that priming is complete. Open the priming station
and remove the chip. If the lid sticks, press down on it while pressing down on the release lever.
7. Turn the chip over and inspect the microchannels for bubbles or evidence of incomplete priming.
If the chip is primed properly, the microchannels are difficult to see (compare a primed chip to a new,
unused chip). If you detect a problem, such as a bubble or incomplete priming, prime a new chip.
Bubbles forced into microchannels during priming take the shape of the microchannel and are
elongated, not round.
8. Place the chip on a clean surface for loading.
3.6 Load the Chip
1. Pipet 9 µl GS into the 3 other wells labeled GS (Figure 3.2).
2. Pipet 5 µl DNA loading buffer (yellow cap) into each sample well and the ladder well (wells 1–11 and
L, Figure 3.2) .
Use a new pipet tip for each delivery to prevent contamination of the loading buffer. Alternatively,
aliquot 65–70 μl loading buffer into an RNase-free microcentrifuge tube and add 5 μl to each well
from this volume.
3. Pipet 1 µl DNA ladder into the well labeled L. Every chip must have the DNA ladder loaded into the
ladder well labeled L.
4. Pipet 1 µl sample (or blanks, for example water or TE buffer) into sample wells 1–11.
5. Inspect all wells for bubbles by holding the chip above a light-colored background and looking
through the wells (Figure 3.3). Dislodge any bubbles at the bottom of a well with a clean pipet tip
or by removing and reloading the solution.
6. Slide the chip into the Experion vortex station and turn on the vortex station by pressing Mix.
Vortexing continues for 60 sec and then automatically shuts off. Remove the chip when the vortex
station stops.
7. Inspect the wells again to confirm that there is no excessive bubble formation from pipetting, and
that no liquid has spilled outside the wells during vortexing.
8. Place the loaded chip into the Experion electrophoresis station and start the run within 5 min.
Experion Automated Electrophoresis System