MagMAX™ Express-96 Deep Well Magnetic Particle Processor (BR-Basic Research Customer) - FAQs

View additional product information for MagMAX™ Express-96 Deep Well Magnetic Particle Processor (BR-Basic Research Customer) - FAQs (4400077)

25 product FAQs found

Do you have any recommendations for addressing the head position error of the MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor?

Turn the machine off, and inspect it for any visible damage. Make sure the correct head is being used for the protocol being run. If the machine shows no visible damage, turn it back on. This should reset the machine. If the problem immediately occurs again, turn the machine off and gently move the magnetic head apparatus to the center of its travel path, then turn the machine on again. If the problem persists, the head may need to be realigned by a service call.

The MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor will not pick up the tip comb. Any suggestions for what I should do?

A potential cause is that the plastic tip comb has warped slightly due to its design. This is why they are packed in pairs, so that they maintain their shape. Flex the backbone of the tip comb and try again.

What if the magnetic particles are attached to the tip combs after the run using the MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor?

This happens sometimes, but it will not affect the yield because the sample has been released from the particles.

Can I stop in the middle of the run? What if power shuts off in the middle of the run when using the MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor?

There is a pause function if you hit ‘stop' in the middle of a run. If you hit start again, the run continues. If you hit stop twice, the run stops completely. There is no way to begin a run in the middle of a protocol.

What if the magnetic particles remained in the sample well when using the MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor?

If the starting material is too viscous, the magnetic rods will not be able to collect the particles. Dilute the sample and check that the sample has been properly homogenized and lysed.

What should I do if I forget to insert the tip combs into the tip comb holder in the MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor?

The protocol will not start without the tip combs inserted into the tip comb holder.

What should I do if the magnet set is dirty in the MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor?

Wipe the magnetic rods with a soft cloth or tissue paper soaked in a mild detergent solution, soap solution, or alcohol.

What magnetic stand should I purchase for manual extraction? Cat. No. AM10027 or Cat. No. AM10050?

It is a personal preference as to which magnetic stand to purchase. Cat. No. AM10027 can be easier if using a pipettor for liquid handling, as beads clump to the side, Cat. No. AM10050 if using a robotic liquid handler, as beads clump in a ring.

Is there a deep well MagMAX Express-24 version?

No, unfortunately not.

I want to process a large sample (e.g., 300µL or more)—which plate should I use for the MagMAX Magnetic Particle Processor?

Deep well plates are recommended. Use a deep well configuration for larger sample inputs (up to 400 µL).

Does the splashing by the tip comb cause cross-contamination?

Mixing with the tip comb is designed to occur below the liquid surface. This prevents aerosols and splashing from occurring when using the MagMAX Express instrument.

Are the volumes of reagents in each well critical when using MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor?

We strongly recommend that you keep the specified volumes within the defined limits to avoid spillover of the reagents.

How long does it take the heater to warm up from room temperature to 80 degrees C for the MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor?

The heating block warms up about 10 degrees C per minute, so it will take about 6 minutes.

How does the heating block work with the MagMAX Express-96 Magnetic Particle Processor?

The heating block is located inside the instrument and can be used automatically during the protocol. Both MagMAX Express-96 plates and PCR plates (skirted) can be heated using specially designed, interchangeable heating blocks. Any number of heating steps can be added to the protocol. During the protocol, when the protocol enters the heating step, the plate is automatically moved to the dedicated heating position for heating. After the heating step, the protocol continues automatically to the next step.
Note: No cooling steps can be added.

How strong are the MagMAX magnets? Can they, for example, disturb some sensitive equipment?

The MagMAX Express-96 system should not be kept in close proximity to magnetic tapes, computer discs, or other magnetic storage systems, such as credit cards, as these can be damaged by the strong magnetic field of the MagMAX Express-96 heads. Do not hold the MagMAX Express-96 heads close to a PC display, since this may cause damage to the display. Do not use metal tools when handling MagMAX Express-96 heads.
Warning: This product contains very strong permanent magnets. People wearing a pacemaker or metallic prosthesis should not use this product. A pacemaker or prosthesis may be affected or damaged if it comes in close contact with a strong magnetic field.

Will the magnet get weaker? If so, how long can they be used?

The MagMAX Express-96 magnets are made of material that is very stable. The magnetic field will not get weaker. However, extreme mechanical force or heating can cause damage to the magnets.
Note: It is very important to keep the MagMAX Express-96 heads away from each other and other magnets at all times. Clashing of the magnets together causes serious damage to the magnets.

Can I concentrate my sample during the run when using the MagMAX Express-96 Magnetic Particle Processor?

Yes. Both deep well plates and MagMAX Express-96 standard plates can be used during the same run. Therefore, it is possible to start the processing by using larger volumes (in a deep well plate) and elute the purified nucleic acid to a smaller volume (in a MagMAX Express-96 standard plate).

What plates can be used with the MagMAX Express-96 Magnetic Particle Processor?

The MagMAX Express-96 deep well plates (Cat. No. 4388476) and standard plates (Cat. No. 4388475) can be used with the instrument.

Can I use the same tips and plates for the KingFisher Flex instrument with the 96-well magnetic head and the MagMAX Express-96 instrument magnetic head?

Yes, the KingFisher Flex instrument 96-well magnetic head and the MagMAX Express-96 instrument magnetic head can use the same tip combs and KingFisher plates even though the magnetic heads are different.

Where can I find scripts for the MagMAX Express-96 instrument?

The MagMAX Express-96 protocol scripts can be found on the MagMAX Express protocol page (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/dna-rna-purification-analysis/rna-extraction/rna-types/total-rna-extraction/magmax-technology/magmax-particle-processors/magmax-instrument-protocols-scripts.html). If the specific script you are looking for is not located here or on the product page for the MagMAX kit, please contact Technical Support at techsupport@thermofisher.com.

Which software should I use for transferring scripts to my MagMAX Express-96 or KingFisher Flex instrument?

We recommend using the BindIt Software to transfer scripts to the MagMAX Express-96 and KingFisher Flex instruments. The BindIt Software should be used to transfer scripts for all of the Applied Biosystems MagMAX Express and Thermo Scientific KingFisher instruments.

Where can I find the scripts for automated use of the MagMAX mirVana Total RNA Isolation Kit?

You can find scripts for using MagMAX mirVana Total RNA Isolation Kit with the MagMAX Express-96, KingFisher Flex, or KingFisher Duo instrument, on the product page (http://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/A27828).

How does the KingFisher Flex instrument connect to a computer?

KingFisher Flex uses a USB port, whereas the MagMAX Express- 96 requires a RS-232 port.

Does the BindIt software also work with the MagMAX Express-96 instrument?

Yes, the MagMAX Express-96 instrument is compatible with the BindIt software. A serial port-to-USB converter is required to connect the MagMAX Express-96 instrument to the computer.

If you are using BindIt software v3.3.1.7 you can use it to run existing .kf2 files. You will not be able to edit the .kf2 files in v3.3.1.7.

If you are using BindIt software v4.0 or later, you cannot run or edit existing .kf2 files. To get around this, you can convert the .kf2 files to the BindIt (.bdz) file format and then edit the .bdz file in the BindIt software. Please see the following application note for instructions on how to convert the .kf2 files: (http://www.thermoscientific.com/content/dam/tfs/LPG/LCD/LCD Documents/Application & Technical Notes/Liquid Handling and Dispensing/KingFisher-BindIT-TechNote-5189009.pdf). If you have already converted your .kf2 files to .bdz files, or you plan to convert your .kf2 file to .bdz files, we recommend using BindIt software v4.0 or higher.

Are the magnetic heads for the MagMAX Express-96 and KingFisher Flex magnetic particle processors interchangeable?

No, the 96 well standard and 96 Deep Well heads are not interchangeable between the MagMAX Express-96 and KingFisher Flex instruments. However, the same tip combs can be used for both instruments.