QIAxcel Accessories

If lower and upper alignment markers used with the QIAxcel System or QIAxcel Advanced are not aligned correctly, open the channel of the sample that was incorrectly aligned. Check whether any unexpected extra peaks have been detected or if the alignment marker peaks do have any “shoulders” that are detected as separate peaks. Delete any extra peaks if necessary and re-analyze your data.

The concentration of the DNA marker, pUC18/HaeIII, provided in the QIAxcel DNA Kits is 5ug/ml in 1XTE buffer solution. Customers can run their own DNA size marker sample with different concentration levels using the provided Methods (i.e. M500, H500, L500 and so on).

The recommended method for all basic applications with the QIAxcel System is the M500 method. The BioCalculator software also allows customers to choose their own Sample Injection Time in the Sequence table. The M500 method provides 5KV for 20 seconds for the electro-kinetic injection of lower concentrated DNA samples. If the Injection Time is doubled or tripled (40 or 60 sec), you can expect double or triple intensities (also peak heights).

Data for each cartridge intensity calibration on the QIAxcel System is stored in a single file named 'calibration.log'. This file is saved in the BioCalculator root directory C:\Program Files\BioCalculator.

If, for any reason, a different computer is used than the one containing the calibration.log file, the file should be transferred to the new computer. Otherwise, recalibration of the cartridge is required.

Likewise, if the QIAxcel Gel cartridge is used on a different instrument than the one it was calibrated on, another intensity calibration should be performed.

If one of the capillaries of the gel cartridge for the QIAxcel System or QIAxcel Advanced is clogged, the corresponding lane in the gel-view image is typically black.