Automated spin-column purification

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Instrument

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Touchscreen

The integrated touchscreen simplifies operation and enables you to:

  • Select and run protocols
  • Install or delete protocols
  • Save data files
  • Operate the shaker and centrifuge

Instrument

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Waste drawer

The waste drawer enables safe and convenient collection of used disposable filter-tips and spin columns discarded through waste slots in the worktable.

Instrument

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USB port

The USB port allows connection of the QIAcube to the USB stick. This enables:

  • Download and transfer of new protocols and software to the QIAcube
  • Transfer of data files, such as log files or report files, from the QIAcube to the USB stick

Centrifuge

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Centrifuge

The fully automated centrifuge is equipped with 12 swing-out buckets, each of which can hold a disposable rotor adapter. Automated centrifugation eliminates manual handling steps and frees up your time.

Centrifuge

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Rotor adapter

A disposable rotor adapter holds a QIAGEN spin column and a microcentrifuge tube in a centrifuge bucket during sample processing.The wash position of the rotor adapter is open at the bottom, enabling wash buffers to flow through the spin column and collect at the bottom of the rotor adapter during centrifugation.

Robotic Arm

Robotic gripper

The robotic gripper, located behind the panel covering the robotic arm, transfers spin columns from the wash position in the rotor adapter to the elution position during sample preparation. A stabilizing rod ensures that the rotor adapter remains properly seated in the centrifuge bucket during column transfer.

Virtual Prep

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Setup

With over 80 protocols available for download free of charge, almost all QIAGEN spin-column kits can be automated.

This virtual prep demonstrates RNA purification using the RNeasy Mini Kit.

The RNA application is selected.

The RNeasy Mini protocol is selected.

Watch the video to see how the QIAcube takes you through the process step-by-step.

Virtual Prep

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Load check

The load check starts.

The optical sensor checks the number and position of the loaded samples.

The optical sensor checks that the correct number of rotor adapters are loaded and that the rotor adapters are correctly positioned.

The ultrasonic sensor checks that there is sufficient buffer for the protocol.

The optical sensor checks that the correct tip types are loaded.

The optical sensor checks that sufficient tips are loaded.

The QIAcube will now start the protocol.

Virtual Prep

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Lysis

When the QIAcube picks up a new tip, it passes it through a tip sensor to ensure the correct tip type is used.

Lysis buffer is added to each sample.

The filter-tip is discarded.

The samples are incubated in the heatable shaker until lysis is complete.

Virtual Prep

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Bind

Lysates are applied to the spin columns in the centrifuge.

The centrifuge lid closes. The centrifugation step enables the RNA to bind to the spin-column membrane.

Only position 1 is open at the bottom, enabling buffers to flow through the spin column and collect at the bottom of the rotor adapter.

Virtual Prep

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Elute

The robotic gripper transfers each spin column from the wash to the elution position.

Elution buffer is applied to each spin column.

The centrifugation step enables elution of RNA from the spin column into an elution tube.

Protocol completion is confirmed with OK.

Highly pure RNA is ready for use in downstream applications.

QIAcube - for fully automated sample prep using QIAGEN spin-column kits.

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What our clients say…

"We have two QIAcubes in our lab now and can't imagine life without them!"Lynne Shelley, Rochester, New York

"Not only do they decrease the hands-on time for sample prep, but they help eliminate the chance of human error."Lynne Shelley, Rochester, New York

"We'd never go back to manual extractions."Lynne Shelley, Rochester, New York

"Our QIAcube is such an essential part of our lab that he deserved a name, so his name is George."Joseph Washburn, University of Michigan

"He's a 'tech saver' and a time saver, allowing our technicians to prepare ahead of time, manage multiple tasks at once and use their overall time more wisely."Joseph Washburn, University of Michigan