Instrument specifications and settings
To perform GeneChip™ HT Pico expression assays successfully on the Biomek™ FXP Target Prep
Express Automated Workstation instrument, the system must meet the following specifications and be
properly configured.
•Biomek FXP Target Prep Express system:
–Hybrid dual armed Biomek™ FXP
–96MC head left pod (Pod 1) and Span-8 head right pod (Pod 2)
–1-mL syringes and low-volume tubing on the Span-8 system
–Thin PCR adapter mounted on the Shaking Peltier Device
–Shaking Peltier ALP Labware Guides properly adjusted
–ALPs secured to deck. See Figure 1.
•Degassed water as system fluid
•Clean compressed air at 40–80 psi
•Computer workstation specifications:
–Microsoft™ Windows™ 7 operating system
–Internet Explorer™ v8.0
–Microsoft™ Excel™ 2010 (must be 32‑bit version)
–Biomek™ Software v4.1.31 (Build 31) or v4.1.41 (Build 41)
•Biomek™ Software configuration:
–Ensure that the Aymetrix™ deck is the default deck.
–Ensure that deck location SPelt96_1 has the device ShakingPeltier1 associated with it.
–Ensure that deck location Pelt_1 has the device StaticPeltier1 associated with it.
–Ensure that deck location TR1 is ALP type Span8TrashRight (not Span8TipTrashRight).
•Check for a properly framed deck for the Biomek™ 200-µL 96-Channel Disposable Pipetting Head
and the Biomek™ Span-8 Waste ALP pods.
–Framing tolerance is 0.03 cm. Reframe if this is exceeded.
–If the deck needs to be reframed, save a current copy of the instrument file for backup.
–Exit and restart the Biomek™ Software after installing the Aymetrix™ deck and after any
changes in deck framing. This saves the new values in the default instrument (.bif) file.
•Additional pod settings:
–Navigate to Instrument4Hardware Setup4Pod24Additional Pod Settings.
–Pod 2 (Span-8) settings (Figure 2)
Set System Trailing Airgap to 20 µL.
–Navigate to Instrument4Hardware Setup4Pod14Additional Pod Settings.
–Pod 1 (MC96) settings (Figure 3)
Check Always move to Z-Max when roving box.
Set the Additional Roving Height field to 0.45 cm or less (default is 0.75 cm).
Chapter 1 Biomek™ FXP Target Prep Express Automated Workstation configuration
Instrument specifications and settings
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6GeneChip™ HT Pico Kit Assay Automated Workflow Site Preparation Guide—Biomek™ FXP