Introducing Q-Rex – the king of convenience

A customizable plug-and-play software for the Rotor-Gene Q simplifies workflow and analysis

Q-Rex consists of a core software that drives the RGQ hardware. It enables experiment setup, data acquisition and performs basic analyses, plus a suite of plug-ins that expand the capacity of Q-Rex with specific analytical capabilities. It allows you to easily create the exact software configuration to meet your specific analysis needs without installing functions you will never use. Data security is assured and all process steps are trackable – from starting the run to exporting the results.

Features like the QIAGEN kit wizard, providing maximum traceability, template setups and new application guidance for QIAGEN kit users, and the QIAgility wizard, allow for the transfer of files from the assay setup automated system, QIAgility, to the Rotor-Gene Q with seamless transition. Together, they enable an easy and streamlined workflow integration. Furthermore, installing additional plug-ins does not require an entire software update, and thus established workflows do not need to be re-validated.

Let’s take a closer look at the 8 different plug-ins and what they can do:

The Q-Rex Basic Plug-in is suitable for any customer getting started with general qPCR and RT-PCR applications. It not only drives the Rotor-Gene Q hardware, but also allows you to set up basic qPCR, melt analyses and multiplexing experiments. In addition, it will collect raw data and perform basic Cq analysis.

Kits you can use with this plug-in are:

QuantiNova SYBR® Green PCR Kit
QuantiNova SYBR® Green RT-PCR Kit

QuantiNova Probe PCR Kit
QuantiNova Probe RT-PCR Kit
QuantiNova Multiplex PCR Kit
QuantiNova Multiplex RT-PCR Kit

The Gene Expression Advanced Plug-in analyzes changes in gene expression relative to a reference sample, like an untreated control.

It would allow:

Multiple reference gene normalization based on algorithms recommended in industry-leading literature
Crosstalk compensation to enable multiplexing of up to 6 channels without calibration
to define a stable reference gene with the help of plots

Normalization of values in relation to a defined calibrator sample
Definition of the real qPCR efficiency for accurate results
Kits such as QuantiNova or QuantiFast Multiplex, SYBR® and Probe (RT-) PCR kits, RT2 qPCR assays and arrays and miScript and miRCURY assays and arrays would work with this plug in.

For a list of all the kits, see below:

The strength of the Target Detection Plug-in is its versatility. It detects the presence or absence of targets based on user-defined criteria, delivering results as an intuitive stoplight visualization. It includes the pre-defined assay rules for several QIAGEN Assays and accommodates multiplexing with FRET probes. In addition, users can design lab-developed assays with adapted rules.

Kits you can use with this plug-in are:

The Absolute Quantification Plug-in could be interesting to use when you would be doing NGS library quantification, exosome enrichment or assessing genome structure like telomeres. It calculates the absolute concentration of targets based on a standard curve. A coefficient of variation is reported for each standard. Users have the option to import a standard curve and leverage the automatic threshold function and crosstalk compensation.

Kits you can use with this plug-in are:

mericon Quant RR Soy Kit
mericon Quant Legionella spp Kit
mericon Quant L. pneumophila Kit
mericon Quant MON 810 Kit

GeneRead DNA QuantiMIZE Kits
QIAseq DNA QuantiMIZE Kits
GeneRead DNAseq Targeted Panels V2

The Absolute Quantification HID Plug-in calculates the absolute concentration of targets in experimental samples using the amplification curves of samples of known concentration to establish a standard. The Q-Rex Absolute Quantification HID Plug-in has an automatic threshold function based on the defined standards that scans through all possible threshold levels until the best fit is found for the standard curve. The threshold can also be set manually.

Kits you can use with this plug-in are:

Investigator Quantiplex Kit
Investigator Quantiplex HYres Kit
Investigator Quantiplex Pro RGQ Kit

The End Point Plug-in can be used for probe-based SNP genotyping. It automates genotype calling based on advanced algorithms for easy and convenient genotype analysis. The Plug-in delivers both raw and normalized data analysis, like KASP® Technology, and the superior crosstalk compensation function of Q-Rex allows multiplexing of up to 6 channels.

Kits you can use with this plug-in are:

Type-it Fast SNP PCR Kit
QuantiNova Probe PCR Kit

The High Resolution Melt Plug-in simplifies high-resolution melting analysis to detect small sequence differences. It performs automated genotype calling based on standards and calculates confidence levels for all results. The results are reported on difference plots for meaningful and clear visualization

Kits you can use with this plug-in are:

Type-it HRM PCR Kit
EpiTect HRM PCR Kit

The Melt Curve Plug-in performs advanced analysis that can be applied for genotyping or multiplex pathogen detection of > 15 targets. This is combined with new data processing algorithms for easy and improved melt peak detection. This high multiplex performance comes from use of TaqMelt™ technology and powerful algorithms that improve analysis and enable combination potential. Analyses show best-in-class uniformity across tubes and the template feature of Q-Rex allows users to set standardized analysis parameters that can be employed in multiple runs to streamline workflows.

Kits you can use with this plug-in are:

QuantiNova SYBR® Green PCR kit
QuantiNova SYBR® Green RT-PCR kits
QuantiNova Multiplex PCR kits
QuantiNova Multiplex RT-PCR kits