QIAquant

For fast and high performance real-time PCR in a 96- or 384-well format

S_1251_4_LS_QF_IAS_QIAquant

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QIAquant 96 2plex (115 V)

Cat. No. / ID:  9003000

High performance real-time PCR thermal cycler with 2plex detection system, 96-well block, software, and touchscreen interface. 115V power specification.
Instrument
QIAquant 115 V
QIAquant 230 V
Multi-channel detection
2plex
5plex
The QIAquant is intended for molecular biology applications. This product is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.

✓ 24/7 automatic processing of online orders

✓ Knowledgeable and professional Product & Technical Support

✓ Fast and reliable (re)-ordering

Features

  • Fast cycling protocol, down to 30 minutes for 40 cycles
  • Multiplex detection of up to 5 different targets
  • Temperature ramping rates up to 8°C/s
  • Temperature uniformity down to ±0.15°C across the sample block
  • Gradient function for assay optimization

Product Details

QIAquant instruments are all-round systems designed for performance. They combine high-quality thermal elements for fast heating and cooling ramping rates and a fast multi-channel detection system for shorter cycling times. The open system is compatible with plasticware in standard SBS formats, low-and normal-profile, and all skirting types.

Visit the QIAquant consumables page for qPCR plates and foils.

Performance

The QIAquant qPCR instruments deliver on the fundamental expectations to combine high performance optical detection of qPCR products with a high performance thermal block. The result is an all-round versatile system for quantitative PCR applications such as expression analyses, genotyping and the detection of pathogens. The combination of high quality thermal elements, fast heating and cooling ramping rates and the fiber-optic shuttle system enables shorter cycling times down to less than 30 minutes for 40 cycles.

  QIAquant 96 (2plex and 5plex) QIAquant 384 5plex
Format Thermal block with 96 wells Thermal block with 384 wells
Sample volume 5–100 µl (10–80 µl recommended) 2–30 µl (5–20 µl recommended)
Number of samples per run

1 x 96-well microplate with optical film;
12 x 8-well strips 0.2 ml with optical lids;
96 x 0.2 ml individual vessels with optical lids

1 x 384-well PCR plate with optical sealing film
Thermal performance Range 4–99°C; control accuracy ±0.1°C Range 4–99°C; control accuracy ±0.1°C
Temperature gradient 40°C 25°C
Maximum heating rate max. 8°C/s, av. 7°C/s (depending on consumables used) max. 4°C/s, av. 3.8°C/s (depending on consumables used)
Maximum cooling rate max. 6°C/s, av. 5.5°C/s (depending on consumables used) max. 2°C/s, av. 1.7°C/s (depending on consumables used)
Temperature uniformity (after 15 s) ±0.15 °C at 55 °C
±0.25 °C at 72 °C
±0.50 °C at 95 °C
±0.15 °C at 55 °C
±0.25 °C at 72 °C
±0.50 °C at 95 °C
Sensitivity 1 nmol/l FAM at 30 µl sample volume in a 96-well PCR plate 1 nmol/l FAM at 30 µl sample volume in a 384-well PCR plate
Measuring time 96-well plate (single measurement, 5 colors) approximately 6 s 384-well plate (single measurement, 5 colors) approximately 6 s

Principle

The QIAquant instruments are available in 3 configurations to address different needs in terms of throughput, multiplexing and budget. The QIAquant instruments are open systems and can be used with compatible chemistries from any supplier and with a broad variety of plasticware.

  QIAquant 96 2plex QIAquant 96 5plex QIAquant 384 5plex
Application Real-time PCR Real-time PCR Real-time PCR
Multiplex capacity 2 targets 5 targets 5 targets
Sample capacity 96 samples 96 samples 384 samples
Control Touchscreen and/or PC Touchscreen and/or PC PC

Optics

The QIAquant instruments use a patented Fiber-Optic Shuttle System. Scanning just above the sample, the optic shuttle guarantees the homogeneous excitation of each individual sample and the reliable recording of the emitted fluorescent signals with high sensitivity and no cross-talk between wells. Composed of 5 different-colored long-life and high power LEDs, the light source guarantees the optimal excitation of known fluorescent dyes from blue to the near-infrared range and the emission signal is captured by a sensitive photomultiplier tube (PMT). The fiber-optic shuttle system is fitted with 8 individual light fibers in the QIAquant 96 instruments and 16 individual light fibers in the QIAquant 384 instrument. This enables fast read-out times of only 6 seconds for an entire plate regardless of the number of filters. The QIAquant instruments do not require the use of a reference dye such as ROX and do not need regular calibration.

Thermal performance

Accurate and homogeneous temperatures across the samples are critical for the rate and efficiency of PCR assays. The QIAquant instrument is fitted with high quality heating elements with gradient function and a temperature control precision of ± 0.1°C. The QIAquant 96 instruments are fitted with a sample block made of silver coated with gold. The sample block provides outstanding thermal properties in terms of temperature uniformity across the sample block down to ± 0.15°C at 55°C, and has an extremely fast heating and cooling rate up to 8°C/s. The uncompromising performance of the QIAquant ensures fast cycling and homogeneous heat distribution across all the wells of a plate. This ultimately means the highest possible  reproducibility from well to well and from cycle to cycle.

Gradient function

The gradient function enables assay optimization and the easy determination of the optimal temperature for primer annealing which is crucial for efficient and specific target amplification. At any step in a protocol, you can program a temperature gradient with a span of up to 40°C across the reaction with 0.1°C steps. Instead of simply setting lower and upper limits, the Linear Gradient Tool (LGT) allows different integer temperature levels to be entered in relation to the calculated annealing temperature of the primers.

Motorized heated lid

The QIAquant motorized heated lid applies homogeneous pressure and the temperature can be adjusted from 30°C to 110°C.

See figures

Procedure

The QIAquant instruments enable quantitative real-time PCR in either intercalating dye or hydrolysis probe-based assays and in tubes, or in a 96- and 384-well plate format. QIAquant instruments are designed for convenience, ease of use and reliability, from run setup to interpretation of results. A QIAquant instrument will readily integrate in any new or existing real-time PCR workflow.

Flexibility of chemistries and plasticware

The QIAquant instruments work as an open system and can be used in combination with any compatible real-time PCR kits. SBS sample blocks make the QIAquant systems compatible with the majority of tubes, strips and low- or normal- profile plates, skirted, half-skirted or unskirted. For best performance, QIAGEN recommends the used of dedicated qPCR plates with white well plates and qPCR compatible foils or seals.

Visit the QuantiNova products overview page to discover QIAGEN's leading real-time PCR solutions.

Visit the QIAquant consumables page for qPCR plates and foils.

Multiplex PCR for co-detection of up to 5 different targets

The QIAquant instruments come with up to 5 color channels for multiplexing in real-time PCR applications. The QIAquant Software comes with built-in optimized generic cross-talk compensation. Users can create customized color compensation files for specific set of dyes if necessary.

Channel Excitation (nm) Detection (nm) Examples of fluorophores detected
Blue 455±15 515±10 FAM™, SYBR® Green, EvaGreen®
Green 520±10 560±15 JOE™, HEX™, VIC®
Orange (5plex versions only) 580±15 620±15 ROX™, Texas Red®
Red (5plex versions only) 633±10 680±15 Cy5®, Alexa Fluor® 647
NIR 1 (5plex versions only) 660±10 710±20 Cy5.5®, Quasar® 705

Maintenance and hassle free

The optical system of the QIAquant instrument involves individual illumination and detection of a sample with a PMT and use of a reference dye such as ROX is not required. The optical system does not need to be calibrated on a regular basis. The QIAquant instruments are factory-calibrated for optical and thermal accuracy. (QIAGEN does recommend yearly preventive maintenance.)

Applications

The QIAquant instruments are suitable for a broad range of PCR applications in molecular biology workflows. These include:

  • Gene expression analysis
  • Pathogen detection
  • DNA methylation analysis
  • Genotyping and gene scanning
  • Validation of microarrays and NGS results

Software

The QIAquant instruments are operated via the Q-Rex Software, using either the desktop or touchscreen version. Both versions facilitate experiment setup and data acquisition, while the desktop version of Q-Rex further enables data analysis, report generation, and export. Q-Rex supports state-of-the-art real-time analysis procedures from basic to advanced algorithms. Its configurable nature allows you to easily create the exact software configuration to meet your specific analysis needs. While retaining highly complex data analysis functions that advanced researchers require, the software is easy to use by novice researchers. Data security is assured, and all process steps are trackable from the start of the run to exporting results. The Q-Rex Software offers support for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.

Supporting data and figures

Specifications

FeaturesSpecifications
Dimensions59 cm x 27.5 cm x 27.5; when opened 70 cm x 27.5 cm x 50 cm
Weight30 kg
Voltage115 V, 230 V: 50/60 Hz
Power consumptionMax. 850 W
Noise level45 dB
Special featureHeated lid with manual opening; automatic contact pressure 30 kg
Light sourceFive high-intensity LEDs (blue, green, white, red, far-red)
What detectedBlue channel (455 nm/515 nm); Green channel (520 nm/560 nm); Orange channel (580 nm/620 nm) (on QIAquant 96 5plex and QIAquant 384 5plex only); Red channel (633 nm/680 nm) (on QIAquant 96 5plex and QIAquant 384 5plex only); NIR1 channel (660 nm/710 nm) (on QIAquant 96 5plex and QIAquant 384 5plex only)
DetectionPhotomultiplier (PMT)
ConnectionsUSB
Minimum computer requirementsWindows 10; Intel i3, >1 GHz; 1 GB RAM; HDD >300 MB; min. USB 2.0
SoftwareAnalysis: Absolute quantification, relative quantification, ΔΔCt method, allelic discrimination, efficiency calculation, DNA melting curves, POS/NEG analysis in the end point; Export: Excel, CSV, LIMS, GenEx, qBase

Resources

Brochures & Guides (3)

QIAquant 96 and 384 thermal cyclers to boost your PCR workflow

QIAquant instruments combine a high-performance thermal block with Q-Rex software for fast detection of PCR products

Analysis Software (6)
For use with the Q-Rex Software to classify the genotypes of unknown samples.
Q-Rex Basic Plug-in 3.0.0
SOFTWARE (1MB)
For use with the Q-Rex Software to visualize fluorescence data and determine quantification cycle values based on an automatic user independent threshold algorithm.
Gene Expression Analysis Plug-in for the Q-Rex Software
For use with the Q-Rex Software or higher for determination of genotypes using Melt Curve Analysis.
For use with the Q-Rex Software v1.0 or higher to detect targets
For use with the Q-Rex Software to calculate absolute concentration of targets by PCR
Technical Information and Important Notes (2)
Software User Guides (8)
Gene Expression Plug-in v3.0; for use with Q-Rex Software v2.0 for Rotor-Gene Q and QIAquant to perform relative quantitation analyses
Target detection Plug-in v2.0; for use with the Q-Rex Software v2.0 for Rotor-Gene Q and QIAquant to detect targets by PCR
For use with the Q-Rex Software v2.0 for Rotor-Gene Q and QIAquant to classify the genotypes of unknown samples
Software for QIAquant 96 real-time PCR thermal cycler
Absolute Quantification Plug-in v3.0; for use with the Q-Rex Software v2.0 for Rotor-Gene Q and QIAquant to calculate absolute concentration of targets by PCR
For use with the Q-Rex Software v2.0 for Rotor-Gene Q and QIAquant for determination of genotypes using Melt Curve Analysis
Basic Plug-in v3.0; for use with the Q-Rex Software v2.0 for Rotor-Gene Q and QIAquant to determine quantification cycle values
For use with the Rotor-Gene Q and QIAquant instruments
Operating Software (2)
Q-Rex Software 2.0.0
SOFTWARE (47MB)

For use with the Rotor-Gene Q and QIAquant instruments.

Note: The Q-Rex Software is compatible only with QIAquant instruments with serial numbers that start with 3108 (produced after 11/2021).
Note: The Q-Rex Software is compatible only with QIAquant instruments with serial numbers that start with 3108 (produced after 11/2021).
Supplementary Protocols (1)
Rotor-Gene SYBR® Green PCR Demo Kit Supplementary Protocol
Instrument Technical Documents (1)
The QIAquant System and 21 CFR Part 11 Regulations
Instrument User Manuals (2)
For molecular biology application. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
For Molecular Biology Application. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Safety Data Sheets (1)
Certificates of Analysis (1)

FAQ

Can data be analyzed while the run is proceeding? Can data be analyzed from a previous experiment while another experiment is running?

When using the desktop version of the QIAquant Software (QIAquant 384 Software and QIAquant 96 Software), it is possible to analyse an experiment while another run is proceeding. For the QIAquant 96 Touch Software, it is not possible to view or analyse an experiment during another run. 

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Are the 96- and 384-sample blocks interchangeable?

The blocks of the QIAquant 96 and QIAquant 384 are not interchangeable.

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How many molecules can be detected in the system?

The QIAquant instrument can detect down to 1 copy of DNA. However, the actual limit of detection is assay dependent and, on average, the limit of detection for optimized experimental set-up is at approximately 10 copies per reaction. 

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What applications can the QIAquant be used for?

The QIAquant combined with optimized QIAGEN kits addresses all real-time PCR applications including: 

 

  • Gene expression 
  • Pathogen detection 
  • DNA methylation analysis 
  • Genotyping 
  • Mutation scanning 
  • miRNA research

The QIAquant can also be used for Melt-Curve analysis (The QIAquant does however not currently offer High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis for genotyping).

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Is a passive internal reference dye, like ROX, required on the QIAquant to obtain reproducible results?

No, the use of a reference dye such as ROX is not needed. Nevertheless, if desired a passive reference dye can be included. 

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Is it possible to edit the sample sheet after the run in the QIAquant Software?

Yes, the sample information can be edited within project files. 

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What are the heating/cooling rates in the QIAquant instruments?

The QIAquant 96 is equipped with a thermal block with 96 wells. To guarantee the best possible performance and heat exchange capability, the thermal block is made from gold-plated silver. This achieves a high temperature homogeneity and uniformity in combination with heating rates of up to 8°C/s and cooling rates of up to 6°C/s. 
The QIAquant 384 is equipped with a thermal block with 384 wells. The thermal block consists of very good heat-conducting aluminum. This achieves high temperature homogeneity and uniformity, in combination with heating rates of up to 4°C/s and cooling rates of up to 2°C/s. 

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Is the software of the QIAquant compatible with 21CFR part11?

The desktop version of the QIAquant software is compatible with 21CFR part11. 

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What is the algorithm behind data normalization in the QIAquant Software?

Multiple connection is possible but only one instrument can be operated at the time. 

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Can I connect more than one QIAquant instrument to the same computer?

Multiple connection is possible but only one instrument can be operated at the time. 

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Does QIAGEN offers arrays and assays configured specifically for QIAquant instrument?

Yes, please visit https://geneglobe.qiagen.com/ and use the search tool to find the desired product and configure it in the format suitable for QIAquant 96 or QIAquant 384.

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Is it possible to establish an internet connection with QIAquant instrument?

Currently this is not possible. Data transfer is possible only via a USB port.  

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Can I upgrade my QIAquant 96 2plex instrument to QIAquant 96 5plex or modify the set of color channels?

Due to fixed filter configuration, it is not possible to upgrade the instrument from 2plex to 5plex or to modify optical channels. 

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Does the QIAquant Software have the capacity to export data? Which data formats can be used for the export?

Within the QIAquant Software, data can be saved as Excel-file (*.xls) or CSV-file (*.csv). 

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Is it possible to import a standard curve from a previous run?

Yes. There is an option to import a standard curve from a saved run for the absolute and relative quantification analysis methods. Within the analysis the function Import Standard Curve can be selected to either import a standard curve from this run, from a saved run, or enter a standard curve via manual input. For importing a standard curve from a saved run, the standard curve from the last opened gene of interest within the saved run can be selected. If you wish to import a different standard curve, open the desired run, select the gene of interest and re-save the project. 

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Can I operate QIAquant 96 instrument using touchscreen and computer simultaneously?

QIAquant 96 can be controlled using the built-in touchscreen or by plugging in to a computer with the program QIAquant 96 Software.

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Is it possible to use the touch down PCR option on QIAquant with two acquisition points in the same channel?

It is not possible to have more than one acquisition points per run on the QIAquant. Two PCR protocols, one after another, need to be carried out. 

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Is the QIAquant equipped with a temperature gradient function?

Yes. The maximum temperature span of the gradient for the QIAquant 96 is 40°C with 12 columns and for the QIAquant 384 is 24°C with 24 columns. This means that the device is particularly well prepared for assay optimization and establishing new primer pairs. 

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What types of reaction vessels are required for use in the QIAquant?

The QIAquant 96 is equipped with a 96-well SBS sample block. This makes it suitable for the use of 0.2 ml individual tubes, 8-well strips, and 96-well microtiter plates. 
The QIAquant 384 is equipped with a 384-well SBS sample block. This makes it only suitable for the use of commercially available PCR plates with 384 wells.  
For highest signal intensity, we recommend the use of white tubes and plates with optically clear lid/seal. These and other consumables can be ordered from QIAGEN. 

https://www.qiagen.com/us/products/instruments-and-automation/accessories/qpcr-consumables

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What sample volume is suitable for use in the QIAquant?

QIAquant 96: 5–100 µl (10–80 µl recommended); QIAquant 384: 2–30 µl (5–20 µl recommended).

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Can I use QIAquant 96 Software to analyze experiments carried out on QIAquant 384?

No, files generated by the QIAquant 96 Software are not compatible with the QIAquant 384 and vice versa. QIAquant 96 Software supports the device control and data analysis of the QIAquant 96 devices. Files with extensions QRTP, QRTS, or QMGA are used.

QIAquant 384 Software supports the device control and data analysis of the QIAquant 384 devices. Files with extensions QRTP384, QRTS384, or QMGA384 are used.

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What are the LIMS capacity of the software?

Import of data from the QIAquant Software to a LIMS system to possible. Instructions are available in the QIAquant Software user manuals. For a LIMS file QIAGEN technical services should be contacted. 

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