KingFisher™ Duo Prime Purification System - FAQs

View additional product information for KingFisher™ Duo Prime Purification System - FAQs (5400110)

28 product FAQs found

What DNA extraction kit would you recommend for fragments smaller than 250 kb that are compatible with a KingFisher Flex Purification System?

We recommend the MagMAX DNA Multi-Sample Ultra 2.0 Kit (Cat. No. A36570) that is optimized for use on the moderate-throughput KingFisher Duo Prime Purification System (Cat. No. 5400110) and the higher-throughput KingFisher Flex Purification System, KingFisher with 96 Deep-well head (Cat. No. 5400630).

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Nucleic Acid Purification and Analysis Support Center.

Where can I find the manual for the BindIt Software?

The User Manual for the BindIt Software can be downloaded from the BindIt Software product page online, under the Documents & Downloads section. It is also included within the BindIt Software installation file under "Documentation".

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center.

Do you have data that shows how the UV lamp of the KingFisher Duo Prime instrument gets rid of bacterial contamination?

Yes we have an application note that demonstrates the lethal effect of UVC irradiation on bacterial growth and deactivation of human gDNA, "Decontamination of the KingFisher Duo Prime processing chamber using UV light".

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center.

What type of tip heads do I receive when I purchase the KingFisher Duo Prime instrument?

You will receive the following tip heads when you purchase a KingFisher Duo Prime instrument:
• 6-tip head (for 24 deep-well plate)
• 12-tip head (for 96 deep-well plate)

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Nucleic Acid Purification and Analysis Support Center.

Do you sell elution strips for the KingFisher Duo Prime 24 Deep-Well (6-tip) format?

We do not sell elution strips for the KingFisher Duo Prime 24 Deep-Well format. A 24 Deep-Well plate must be used for elution with the 24 Deep-Well protocol.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Nucleic Acid Purification and Analysis Support Center.

Are the Matrix 500 microliter ScrewTop Tubes (Cat. No. 3743AMB) compatible with the Kingfisher Duo Prime barcode reader?

Yes, the KingFisher Duo Prime barcode reader is able to read the 2D barcode on the Matrix 500 µL ScrewTop Tubes. The barcode reader can generate an error if the tubes are in the tube rack and the barcode position is not able to be scanned. If this occurs, we recommend scanning each tube individually.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center.

Can I run two protocols simultaneously on the KingFisher Duo Prime?

You can only run two protocols on the KingFisher Duo Prime if the following criteria are met:
• Both scripts only use one plate
• Both scripts are using the 96-well format

The 24-well plate format always requires two plates, so it cannot run two protocols. If each script uses one plate and it is the 96-well format, you can run two protocols using the following instructions:
1. Start the first protocol as normal.
2. Once the first protocol has started, scroll back over to the protocol selection tab and select the second script. The second script can be the same as the first script or a different script.
3. Start the second protocol.
4. Select "Start" and load the second plate.

The instrument will be processing the first plate while you start the second plate. When the first plate is done, the KingFisher Duo Prime instrument will automatically start processing the second plate.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center.

How do I use BindIt software 4.0 to load a script from my computer to the KingFisher Flex or KingFisher Duo/Duo Prime instrument?

Please follow these steps to load a script from your computer to the KingFisher Flex or KingFisher Duo/Duo Prime instrument:
1. Use the USB cable to connect the PC to the instrument.
2. Turn on the instrument.
3. Open the BindIt software and click the Connect button.
4. Select "Find New Instrument." BindIt will automatically connect to the instrument and the instrument screen will say "Computer Control".
5. Click the "Transfer" Button.
6. Click the "Upload" button.
7. Browse to find the file and double-click it.
8. In the new window that opens:
a. KingFisher Flex: you will be prompted to enter a new name – this is not necessary if the name only contains letters, digits, dash or underscore.
• If the name contains spaces, apostrophes or any other character, you should enter a new name containing only letters, digits, dash (-) or underscore (_).
• Click the "Category" pulldown to select the instrument folder you want to load the script to.
• Click OK.
b. KingFisher Duo/Duo Prime: The KingFisher Duo and Duo Prime instruments accept all characters in the filename.
• Click the "Category" pulldown to select the instrument folder you want to load the script to.
• Click OK.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center.

Do the KingFisher Flex and KingFisher Duo instruments come with pre-loaded scripts?

The KingFisher Flex and KingFisher Duo instruments no longer come with pre-installed scripts. If your instrument begins with the following serial numbers, it will not have pre-loaded scripts:
• KingFisher Flex serial number 711-1951 or greater
• KingFisher Duo Prime serial number 706-1366 or greater

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center.

Do I receive training when I purchase the KingFisher Flex or KingFisher Duo Prime instruments?

No training is provided with the purchase of a KingFisher Flex or KingFisher Duo Prime instrument, but you can purchase training separately. We offer onsite half-day and full-day trainings for the KingFisher Flex and KingFisher Duo Prime instruments, depending on your needs. Please contact your local instrument sales representative to obtain a quote. The training will be led by your regional Field Application Scientist.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center.

Where can I find a script for processing a large volume of blood using the MagMAX Multi-Sample Ultra kit (Cat. No. A25597) with the KingFisher Flex or KingFisher Duo Prime instruments?

Scripts for processing large volumes of whole blood (up to 1 mL) can be found on the MagMAX Multi-Sample Ultra kit product page under the Product Literature section at the bottom of the page. There are two scripts available:
• KingFisher DUO file: A25597_Large_Volume_Blood.bdz
• KingFisher Flex file: A25597_Large_Volume_Blood.bdz

*Use the page scrolling function to see the complete list of product literature for this product.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center.

What should I do if the tip comb does not load correctly onto my Thermo Scientific KingFisher system?

If the tip does not load correctly onto a Thermo Scientific KingFisher magnetic head, we recommend that you try manually flexing the tips both lengthwise and widthwise to level the tip comb. A video of flexing the tip comb can be found here: https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/dna-rna-purification-analysis/automated-purification-extraction/kingfisher-systems/resources.html. The video is under "KingFisher Flex" and titled "How to install the magnet head and check the tip comb." Flexing of the tip comb is demonstrated at timepoint 1:35. If that does not work, try a different box or lot of tips. This applies to all KingFisher instruments.

What kind of consumables do I need for the KingFisher Duo Purification System?

The KingFisher Duo Purification System consumables are listed on the following website and they vary depending on whether you are using the 6- or 12-pin magnet: https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/97003500

Can I use the KingFisher instruments for plasmid purification?

We recommend using the MagJet Plasmid DNA kit (Cat. No. K2791) for plasmid purification. Scripts for using the MagJet Plasmid DNA kit with the KingFisher Flex and KingFisher Duo Prime Purification Systems are available for download on the kit product page (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/K2791). The ChargeSwitch Plasmid ER Mini Kit (Cat. No. CS10100) is also an option for plasmid purification. There is no script currently available for using ChargeSwitch Plasmid ER Mini Kit, but you can create a custom protocol for use with the KingFisher Flex and KingFisher Duo Prime Purification Systems.

What is the difference between the KingFisher Duo and the KingFisher Duo Prime Purification Systems?

The KingFisher Duo Prime Purification System has the following additional features compared to the KingFisher Duo Purification System:
• Improved safety shield design
• UV lamp
• Handheld barcode reader option
• Additional language options
• Optimized elution strip block for better alignment of the plastic strip

The KingFisher Duo can run any script written for the KingFisher Duo Prime and does not require additional modifications.

Can I re-start a script that has stopped mid-way on the KingFisher Flex/KingFisher Duo Prime instrument?

The only way is to do this is by rewriting the script from where you want it to start, or start the run all over again.

I have a BindiT protocol installed on the KingFisher Flex/DuoPrime instrument and would like to edit it. How do I do it?

There is no way to edit a BindiT protocol that has been installed on the KingFisher Flex/KingFisher DuoPrime instrument. The only way to edit the protocol is by saving the original .bdz file to a PC and then editing it in BindiT software.

Can I use magnetic beads for protein isolation with the KingFisher Flex Purification System? If so, do you recommend any specific magnetic beads and are KingFisher Flex script protocol (.bdz) files available for these applications?

Any kind of protein purification can be done on the KingFisher Flex or Duo Prime as long as it is based on magnetic beads. Some template protocols for different magnetic beads are available for the KingFisher Flex and Duo Prime at this website: https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/dna-rna-purification-analysis/automated-purification-extraction/automated-protocols-software.html?open=protein.
Please know that these templates are only a starting point and each protein and application is unique so optimization will be required. This optimization and protocol modification is the responsibility of the end user.

Where can I find Bindlt script protocol (.bdz) files for use of MagMAX kits with the KingFisher Flex Purification System and KingFisher Duo Prime Purification System?

The best place to download KingFisher Flex and KingFisher Duo Prime protocols for a particular MagMAX kit is the relevant MagMAX kit product page. The Bindlt script protocol (.bdz) files can be found under the Documents>Product literature section.

Where can I find the KingFisher Flex or KingFisher Duo Prime scripts for the animal health MagMAX kits?

The scripts for the MagMAX CORE Nucleic Acid Purification Kit can be found here (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/A32702). In order to obtain the .bdz scripts for the other animal health MagMAX kits (Cat. Nos. AM1835, AM1836, AM1840, 4462359), please email technical support at animalhealthandfoodsafety@lifetech.com.

How many samples can I run with the KingFisher Duo Prime Purification System?

The KingFisher Duo Prime Purification System comes with both a 12-tip and a 6-tip comb. When using the 12-tip comb, a 96-Deep-Well plate has to be used and 12 samples can be processed at a time. When using the 6-tip comb, a 24-Deep-Well plate has to be used and 6 samples can be processed at a time.

What kind of consumables do I need for the KingFisher Duo Prime Purification System?

The KingFisher Duo consumables are listed here (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/97003500) and they vary depending on whether a 6- or 12-pin magnet is used.

Which automated magnetic particle processor should I use for animal health projects?

We recommend one of the following instruments:

- KingFisher Flex Purification System (Cat. No. 5400640)
- KingFisher Duo Prime Purification System (Cat. No. 5400110)
- MagMAX Express Magnetic Particle Processor (AM-Applied Markets Customer) (Cat. No. 4400075)

What is the advantage of adding polyvinyl pyrollidone (PVP) or dithiothreitol (DTT) to Lysis Buffer A of the MagMAX Plant DNA Isolation Kit?

PVP adsorbs polyphenols, removing them from the final eluate. DTT, a reducing agent, protects the DNA from degradation by preventing the oxidation of polyphenols. We generally recommend adding PVP for woody, lignified, or polyphenol samples (branches, twigs, needles, and wax-coated leaves). DTT can be helpful when working with seeds. Some seeds (e.g., seeds with a pesticide coat) do benefit from addition of PVP to Lysis Buffer A. If DTT supplementation to Lysis Buffer A was already attempted and has not helped, try again with PVP instead.

The manual for the MagMAX Plant Isolation Kit recommends using 150 µL of elution buffer, but can I use less than that?

If higher DNA concentration is needed, the elution volume can be reduced to 50 µL when using the KingFisher Flex instrument. However, we have not tested this and the script may have to be changed accordingly.

Where can I find the script for using the MagMAX Plant DNA Isolation Kit on the KingFisher Flex or KingFisher Duo instrument?

You can find the .bdz files on the product page (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/A32549?ICID=search-product).

What kind of plants have you tested with the MagMAX Plant DNA Isolation Kit?

Table 1 of the manual (https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/MAN0015954_MagMAX_Plant_DNA_Kit_UG.pdf) lists all the different plants we have tested with the kit and the approximate DNA yields to expect.

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).