2 STAR Q AS Instruments Brochure 12/2016 Introduction Working in high-throughput database, reference or paternity laboratories, you face unique challenges related to DNA sample processing every day. The demand for ever greater sample numbers, while maintaining the same high first-time success rates and cost per sample means a constant endeavor to maintain quality standards and sample continuity. As quality standards and cost must not be compromised, this usually means that throughput is. To address these challenges, and to enable you to realize the full potential of your laboratory, we have developed two instruments: the STAR Q Punch AS and the STAR Q Swab AS. These instruments automate STR assay setup from FTA® or other collection card samples, and swabs, respectively. Both instruments have been developed as part of laboratory workflows enabling hundreds of samples to be processed each day. Feature STAR Q Punch AS STAR Q Swab AS Daily throughput (as part of a sample to capillary electrophoresis workflow) Capacity of 384 samples a day in batches of 96 samples STR assay setup Pre-validated protocols for QIAGEN® Investigator STR GO! direct amplification assays Validated sample input types* • GE Healthcare easiCollect® FTA cards • Copan NUCLEICards • GE Healthcare Omni swabs • Puritan® polyester swabs • Copan® Flocked swab • Sarstedt® cotton swabs Pre-treatment • 1.2 mm sample punch, into PCR reaction mix in PCR plate • Full image recording of punching step Swab pre-treatment with heating/ shaking, followed by pipetting of an aliquot into the PCR reaction mix Operation Simple-to-use GUI and software for step-by-step setup and operation Pipet tip attachment Compressed O-Ring Expansion (CO-RE) Liquid level detection Capacitative LLD (c-LLD) and pressure-based LLD (p-LLD) Pipetting method Air displacement pipetting % CV when pipetting 1 µl (under defined conditions) 4% 4% Number of pipetting channels 4 8 Assay setup time from sample loading 96 samples in under 90 minutes Plastics/consumables • Instrument plasticware available from QIAGEN (except for PCR plates† and reagent tubes) • Compatible with most commonly used output PCR plates† Installation Installation and IQ/OQ documentation provided by QIAGEN or QIAGEN’s partners Service and support Provided by QIAGEN or QIAGEN’s partners Validation support services Provided by QIAGEN Forensic Application Specialists‡ Table 1. Features of STAR Q Punch AS and STAR Q Swab AS Instruments * Contact us for compatibility with additional swab or card types. † Contact us for details of validated PCR plates. ‡ Not available in all countries; contact your local QIAGEN representative for details. Number of pipetting channels 48