EZ1 DNA Investigator Cards

Operation of the BioRobot EZ1 is so easy that no additional training other than the initial demo is needed. Operating the instrument requires only three major steps:

• Insert the appropriate EZ1 Protocol Card, switch on the workstation, and, if necessary, select the appropriate protocol
• Follow the instructions on the liquid-crystal display (LCD), which describes where the sample tubes, elution tubes, filter tips, and EZ1 Reagent Cartridges must be loaded and which indicates when to start the protocol run
• Collect purified nucleic acids when the protocol run ends

The Normalization protocol is useful for routine, standardized analyses of reference samples, such as blood or buccal swabs, where sample-to-sample variability can result in widely varying DNA yields. The normalization protocol eliminates the need for yield quantification prior to analysis. It limits DNA yields uniformly to 150-250 ng.

However, please note that the Normalization protocol should not be used if the DNA amount in the sample is very limited. In this case, the Trace protocol on the EZ1 DNA Investigator Card should be used instead.

Protocols for nucleic acid purification are supplied on pre-programmed EZ1 Protocol Cards. These protocols provide both on-screen instructions for the operator and operating commands for the workstation. The range of kits and protocols for the EZ1 is continuously expanding to allow nucleic acid purification from a wide range of sample types. Please browse our Supplementary Protocol Section to find specialized EZ1 protocols for a large variety of clinical sample types, in addition to the standard sample types covered in our EZ1 handbooks.

Loading of sample tubes, elution tubes, filter-tips, and Reagent Cartridges onto the worktable of the BioRobot EZ1 is intuitive, easy and quick. Details about worktable setup are provided with each new protocol, and are also displayed in the liquid-crystal display (LCD) of the control panel when you start setup of the worktable.