Automated spin-column purification
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Overview
Instrument
Touchscreen
The integrated touchscreen simplifies operation and enables you to:
- Select and run protocols
- Install or delete protocols
- Save data files
- Operate the shaker and centrifuge
Instrument
Waste drawer
The waste drawer enables safe and convenient collection of used disposable filter-tips and spin columns discarded through waste slots in the worktable.
Instrument
USB port
The USB port allows connection of the QIAcube to the USB stick. This enables:
- Download and transfer of new protocols and software to the QIAcube
- Transfer of data files, such as log files or report files, from the QIAcube to the USB stick
Worktable
Centrifuge
Centrifuge
The fully automated centrifuge is equipped with 12 swing-out buckets, each of which can hold a disposable rotor adapter. Automated centrifugation eliminates manual handling steps and frees up your time.
Centrifuge
Rotor adapter
A disposable rotor adapter holds a QIAGEN spin column and a microcentrifuge tube in a centrifuge bucket during sample processing.The wash position of the rotor adapter is open at the bottom, enabling wash buffers to flow through the spin column and collect at the bottom of the rotor adapter during centrifugation.
Pipetting
Shaker
The heated orbital shaker enables fully automated lysis of up to 12 samples. Shaker adapters allow use of:
- 2 ml microcentrifuge tubes
- 2 ml screw-cap tubes
Pipetting
Tip sensor
For increased process safety, the tip sensor not only checks that a tip has been picked up by the tip adapter, but also checks whether it is a 200 µl or 1000 µl filter-tip.
Pipetting
Waste slot
Used filter-tips and spin columns are alternately discarded through each waste slot into the waste drawer, preventing the waste from piling up in the drawer.
Pipetting
Microcentrifuge slots
Three dedicated microcentrifuge slots on the QIAcube worktable enable loading of tubes containing proteinase K or other enzymes, if these are required for the purification protocol.
Pipetting
Tip racks
Disposable filter-tips are conveniently supplied in prefilled tip racks. Two tip racks containing 200 µl, 1000 µl, or 1000 µl wide-bore tips can be placed on the QIAcube worktable.
Pipetting
Reagent bottle rack
The reagent bottle rack holds up to six 30 ml reagent bottles. For increased ease of use, it fits onto the QIAcube worktable only in the correct orientation, helping to reduce human error. Liquid is aspirated from the bottles by the pipetting system.
Robotic Arm
Robotic gripper
The robotic gripper, located behind the panel covering the robotic arm, transfers spin columns from the wash position in the rotor adapter to the elution position during sample preparation. A stabilizing rod ensures that the rotor adapter remains properly seated in the centrifuge bucket during column transfer.
Robotic Arm
Optical sensor
During the load check, the optical sensor checks:
- Correct loading of the shaker and the rotor adapters
- The type of filter-tips loaded
- Whether there are sufficient filter-tips for the protocol
Robotic Arm
Ultrasonic sensor
During the load check, the ultrasonic sensor checks that the volume of reagent provided in the reagent bottles is sufficient for the purification procedure.
Robotic Arm
Pipetting system
The QIAcube has a single-channel pipetting system that moves in the X, Y, and Z directions, enabling movement over the whole worktable. A precision syringe pump ensures accurate transfer of liquids through a disposable filter-tip.
Virtual Prep
Setup
With over 80 protocols available for download free of charge, almost all QIAGEN spin-column kits can be automated.
This virtual prep demonstrates RNA purification using the RNeasy Mini Kit.
The RNA application is selected.
The RNeasy Mini protocol is selected.
Watch the video to see how the QIAcube takes you through the process step-by-step.
Virtual Prep
Load check
The load check starts.
The optical sensor checks the number and position of the loaded samples.
The optical sensor checks that the correct number of rotor adapters are loaded and that the rotor adapters are correctly positioned.
The ultrasonic sensor checks that there is sufficient buffer for the protocol.
The optical sensor checks that the correct tip types are loaded.
The optical sensor checks that sufficient tips are loaded.
The QIAcube will now start the protocol.
Virtual Prep
Lysis
When the QIAcube picks up a new tip, it passes it through a tip sensor to ensure the correct tip type is used.
Lysis buffer is added to each sample.
The filter-tip is discarded.
The samples are incubated in the heatable shaker until lysis is complete.
Virtual Prep
Bind
Lysates are applied to the spin columns in the centrifuge.
The centrifuge lid closes. The centrifugation step enables the RNA to bind to the spin-column membrane.
Only position 1 is open at the bottom, enabling buffers to flow through the spin column and collect at the bottom of the rotor adapter.
Virtual Prep
Wash
Wash buffer is applied to each spin column.
A total of two wash steps are performed.
Virtual Prep
Elute
The robotic gripper transfers each spin column from the wash to the elution position.
Elution buffer is applied to each spin column.
The centrifugation step enables elution of RNA from the spin column into an elution tube.
Protocol completion is confirmed with OK.
Highly pure RNA is ready for use in downstream applications.
QIAcube - for fully automated sample prep using QIAGEN spin-column kits.
Get in touch!
If you still have any questions, contact us:www.qiagen.com/about-us/contact/
What our clients say…
"We have two QIAcubes in our lab now and can't imagine life without them!"
Lynne Shelley, Rochester, New York
"Not only do they decrease the hands-on time for sample prep, but they help eliminate the chance of human error."
Lynne Shelley, Rochester, New York
"We'd never go back to manual extractions."
Lynne Shelley, Rochester, New York
"Our QIAcube is such an essential part of our lab that he deserved a name, so his name is George."
Joseph Washburn, University of Michigan
"He's a 'tech saver' and a time saver, allowing our technicians to prepare ahead of time, manage multiple tasks at once and use their overall time more wisely."
Joseph Washburn, University of Michigan
