Rotor-Gene Q

Unique rotary design for outstanding performance

The unique centrifugal rotary design of the Rotor-Gene Q makes it the most precise and versatile real-time PCR cycler currently available (see figure "Cross-section of the Rotor-Gene Q"). Each tube spins in a chamber of moving air, keeping all samples at precisely the same temperature during rapid thermal cycling. Detection is similarly uniform. When each tube aligns with the detection optics, the sample is illuminated and the fluorescent signal is rapidly collected from a single, short optical pathway. This thermal and optical uniformity results in sensitive, precise, and fast real-time PCR analysis (see figure "Precise real-time PCR analysis"). It also eliminates sample-to-sample variations and edge effects. These are unavoidable in traditional block-based instruments due to temperature gradients across the block and multiple, complex optical pathways.

The rotary design delivers:

• Tube-to-tube variation ±0.02°C
• Uniform detection eliminating the need for ROX reference dye
• Fast ramping and negligible equilibration times for short run-times
• Complete confidence in your results

Unrivaled optical range enables multiple applications

Whether your assay is based on intercalating dyes such as SYBR^® Green, probes such as hydrolysis (TaqMan®), hybridization (FRET), Scorpion probes, or other multiplex chemistries, the Rotor-Gene Q meets your requirements. With up to 6 channels spanning UV to infrared wavelengths, the cycler delivers the widest optical range currently available (see table). In addition, the software allows you to create new excitation/detection wavelength combinations, which means that the Rotor-Gene Q is compatible with dyes you may use in the future.

Expand your research with HRM

High-resolution melting analysis (HRM) is a closed-tube, post-PCR analysis that has raised enormous scientific interest. HRM characterizes double-stranded PCR products based on their dissociation (melting) behavior. It is similar to classical melting curve analysis, but provides far more information for a wider range of applications. PCR products can be discriminated according to sequence, length, GC content, or strand complementarity, down to single base-pair changes. Previously unknown and even complex sequence variations can be readily detected and characterized in a robust and straightforward way. The rotary design of the Rotor-Gene Q and its outstanding thermal and optical performance are highly suited to HRM.

The HRM option for the Rotor-Gene Q includes:

• A specially tuned high-intensity optical HRM channel
• Thermal resolution of 0.02°C
• High data-acquisition rates
• Comprehensive HRM software

Minimum maintenance; maximum convenience

The Rotor-Gene Q is engineered to reduce the need for maintenance and to maximize ease of use. This saves time and costs, and allows you to focus on your research; not on keeping the cycler up and running.

Convenient features of the Rotor-Gene Q include:

• Lifetime guarantee on highly stable LEDs, no expensive lamps or lasers to change, no gradual performance loss of light source
• No optical calibration needed at installation or when the instrument is moved
• No sample block to clean
• No condensation or bubbles in reactions due to rotation
• Small, light, and robust; simply place the instrument wherever you like

Flexible formats match your workflows

The Rotor-Gene Q supports multiple PCR tube formats to suit a range of needs (see figure "Flexible formats"). Changing the format, by simply switching the snap-fit metal rotor that holds the tubes, takes just seconds. As well as tubes, Rotor-Discs are available, which offer accelerated setup and higher throughput. Rotor-Discs are circular plates of vertically oriented reaction wells. The Rotor-Disc 100 is the equivalent of a 96-well plate with an additional 4 reference wells. These extra wells can be conveniently used for more reactions or additional controls. Alternatively, the Rotor-Disc 72 has 72 wells. Rotor-Discs can be quickly and easily sealed with plastic film using a Rotor-Disc Heat Sealer. For all you need to run reactions using Rotor-Discs, choose the Rotor-Disc 100 Starter Kit or the Rotor-Disc 72 Starter Kit.

You can perform manual reaction setup, or take advantage of QIAGEN's automated solutions for reaction setup. The QIAgility is cost-effective and delivers rapid, high-precision PCR setup, while the QIAsymphony AS is ideal for laboratories performing routine PCR tests on a day-to-day basis. Both instruments perform automated reaction setup in Rotor-Gene formats, allow direct transfer of sample lists, and are supplied with verified protocols for real-time PCR master mixes.

Easy routine verification

Laboratories may often want to verify thermal accuracy. For most cyclers, this requires interaction with a service engineer. With the Rotor-Gene Q, this is not necessary. Instead, the easy-to-use, cost-effective Rotor-Disc OTV (Optical Temperature Verification) Kit automates accuracy testing. The full procedure takes only a couple of minutes.

A range of QIAGEN kits for the Rotor-Gene Q enables reliable quantification in all your real-time PCR applications without the need for optimization of reaction and cycling conditions. Kits for real-time PCR and HRM applications are available for:

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

Have your throughput demands increased? Do you want to expand your application range or further streamline workflows? Do you need to manage more complex samples? Do you need improved connectivity?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then QIAGEN’s trade-in/trade-up program is just right for you!

QIAGEN makes it easy to keep up to speed with the latest automation and sample processing technologies. Simply exchange an old instrument for a new one. Improve your efficiency by trading in a competitor instrument or trading up with an older QIAGEN instrument.

Learn more about trade-in/trade-up opportunities.

Q-Rex Software

Q-Rex Software is operating and analysis operating and analysis software that drives Rotor-Gene Q hardware and facilitates experiment setup, data acquisition and basic and advanced analyses. The configurable nature of Q-Rex allows you to easily create the exact software configuration to meet your specific analysis needs without installing functions you will never use.

1. Fast and easy access to templates and recent experiments
2. Drag-and-drop creation of new experiments
3. Plug-ins to expand capacity for specific applications
4. Audit trail for 21CFR part 11 compliance

The software is suitable for use by the most novice researchers, while maintaining the highly complex data analysis functions required by advanced researchers.

Rotor-Gene Q Software

The comprehensive Rotor-Gene Q software package supports all current state-of-the art real-time analysis procedures from basic to advanced algorithms. This provides complete freedom to analyze your valuable experimental data and increases the reliability of your results. Data security is assured and all process steps are trackable from starting the run to exporting the results.

Superior Rotor-Gene ScreenClust HRM Software available for genotyping and mutation detection using HRM analysis

Rotor-Gene ScreenClust HRM Software is an extension to the Rotor-Gene operating software. This software is the most powerful tool currently available for analysis of HRM data from the Rotor-Gene Q or Rotor-Gene 6000 cycler. By grouping samples into clusters, Rotor-Gene ScreenClust HRM Software opens a new dimension in HRM analysis for applications such as genotyping and mutation screening.

REST software 2009

REST software 2009 is a standalone software tool for analysis of gene expression data from quantitative real-time PCR experiments. REST software 2009 is available for download under the "Resources" tab, and provides valuable analysis, including:

1. Estimation of up- and down-regulation for gene expression studies
2. Randomization and bootstrapping techniques
3. Graphical data output via whisker-box plots

Traditional relative quantification enables estimation of gene expression. However, this method does not provide statistical information that is suitable for comparing expression in groups of treated and untreated samples in a robust manner. The integrated randomization and bootstrapping methods used in REST software 2009 test the statistical significance of calculated expression ratios and can be used even when the data includes outliers.

REST software 2009 applies a mathematic model that takes into account the different PCR efficiencies of the gene of interest and reference genes. Compared to using a single reference gene, using multiple reference genes for normalization can improve the reliability of results.

Rotor-Gene Assay Manager

Rotor-Gene AssayManager is a software for routine testing. The core application is complemented by a selection of plug-ins that contain assay-type-specific analysis and visualization of the results for fully automated real-time PCR analysis. Further information is available from the following links:

1. Rotor-Gene AssayManager v1.0
2. Rotor-Gene AssayManager v2.1