My peaks are broader than normal (>1 bp wide) in my fragment analysis data. What causes this?
Here are possible causes and solutions:
- Broadening of sample peaks can start to occur if the polymer or buffer has expired or is degraded.
- Capillary array degradation and sample degradation can also cause broader peaks. If the samples have been on the instrument for more than 24 hrs, prepare a fresh plate of samples (combining the PCR product and size standard).
- High salt concentration in the sample may cause broad peaks. Run a size standard-only plate to determine if it is a sample issue. If not, replacement of the polymer, buffer and/or array may be necessary.
- Leaks on the system can divert the current and slow the migration of the sample. Check for leaks at the capillary/capillary array entering the pump or polymer block and the tubing entering the polymer block.
- If the issue persists, please contact Technical Support at techsupport@thermofisher.com for additional troubleshooting.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Applications Support Center.
Can I purchase a computer from you or someone else and install the Applied Biosystems 310 Genetic Analyzer software myself?
You can purchase a computer for installation of the secondary analysis software packages (e.g., Sequencing Analysis, GeneMapper software) as long as the computer meets the software compute requirements (for processor speed, the minimum speed of the processor should be at least 3 GHz) and you can install the software yourself.
For the instrument computer, the computer system has a much more stringent requirement and undergoes thorough testing to make sure it can handle the flow of data from the instrument to the computer. The images for the computer system are streamlined to make sure they have the proper drivers for the computer components, and the Operating System is optimized to make sure there is nothing running in the background that might slow the computer down, take up memory, or conflict with our software. Purchasing a computer commercially can introduce too many variables in terms of hardware and software that can negatively affect the data collection process so we cannot support connecting it to the instrument.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.
What is the white residue around the ferrule on my Applied Biosystems 310 Genetic Analyzer?
When placing the capillary on the instrument, if the ferrule is not hand-tightened enough, some polymer gets pushed through the center of the ferrule and/or around the threading. When it dries up, it appears as a white, flaky residue. Use a damp, lint-free cloth to remove it. If more residue appears after the cleanup, it is possible that the ferrule is not tightened down enough or may require replacement.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.
My capillary is stuck in the gel block on my Applied Biosystems 310 Genetic Analyzer, even after loosening the ferrule. What can I do?
If the capillary is stuck in the gel block, even after loosening the ferrule, squirt around the edge of the ferrule with distilled water and try to remove it again. If the capillary will not move, a service call may be required. Do not use excessive force or tools to try and remove it.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.
When I started my run on the Applied Biosystems 310 Genetic Analyzer, an error occurred: "Leak detected in the syringe pump" but I don't see any leaks. What else might cause this?
A leak is detected if the gel pump moves a greater distance than expected. Normal polymer usage is approximately 4 - 7 µL per injection which is equivalent to 1 - 2 encoder counts for the 1.0 mL syringe (seen in instrument run log). Actual leaks can occur at various locations on the system and should be carefully examined. The message may sometimes be generated by conditions on the system that mimic a leak - these also need to be considered. More information on troubleshooting this issue can be found on Pages 7 - 9 in the Errors Encountered on the Applied Biosystems 310 Genetic Analyzer Guide (http://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/cms_042475.pdf).
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments Support Center.
