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School of Biosciences

QIAxcel Advanced System

The QIAxcel Advanced System is an automated system that will detect DNA and RNA fragments.

In the QIAxcel Advanced System, the dye-bound molecules migrate through a gel matrix and as they pass a detector the signal is converted to a gel image and electropherogram.

Size and concentration are attributed to each fragment according to the time it takes to migrate to the detector and the strength of the signal.

The run and analysis are automated, you specify your run conditions according to the expected size and concentration and can save the conditions to use for other similar runs.

Up to 96 samples can be run simultaneously.

Applications include:

  • Genotyping assays
  • Analysis of PCR assays
  • Deletion/Insertion detection
  • Quality of gDNA
  • Quality of RNA
  • Quantification of amplicons prior to NGS
  • Assessing the quality of completed NGS libraries

Each assay comprises of a specific gel cartridge with the appropriate separation buffer and alignment marker depending on the size and concentration of samples.

Sample set up is in a 96 well plate format or as 12 sample strips combining sample/size marker and dilution buffer.

A reagent tray contains the separation buffer, wash buffer and alignment maker.

The assay set up is programmed by the user in the QIAxcel ScreenGel Software prior to each run.

Manuals are provided to explain how to set up and programme each assay.

The QIAxcel ScreenGel Software is available to purchase and install on separate PCs for further analysis.

The following cartridges are available suitable for different assays:

QIAxcel DNA High Resolution kit

  • Target size - 15bp-10kb
  • Input concentration -10 ->100ng/ul
  • Sample volume required - 3.5ul
  • Time for 96 samples 1.5 hrs

QIAxcel DNA Screening Kit

  • Target size - 15bp-5kb
  • Input concentration -10 ->100ng/ul
  • Sample volume required -3.5ul
  • Time for 96 samples 40 mins

QIAxcel DNA Fast Analysis Kit

  • Target size - 15bp-3kb
  • Input concentration -10->100ng/ul
  • Sample volume required -3.5ul
  • Time for 96 samples 25 mins

QIAxcel RNA QC Kit

  • Target size – 200-6000nt
  • Input concentration -50-1000ng/ul
  • Sample volume required -3.5ul
  • Time for 96 samples 1.5 hrs

Users can book the equipment by emailing biosi-GRH@cardiff.ac.uk.

Costs are by a per row used (12 lanes) according to the specific assay.

Please contact Genomics Research Hub for further information at BIOSI-GRH@cardiff.ac.uk.

We offer full in house training for all applications.

All users need to have been trained by GRH staff before using the QIAxcel without supervision.

Please refer to the user manual for additional support.

QIAxcel Advanced User Manual - (EN) - QIAGEN

To comply with Cardiff University Health and Safety Policy, individuals must receive appropriate training before using any of the equipment within the Genomic Research Hub and be aware of the risks involved in its use.

All users of The Genomic Research Hub are expected to observe the following. If they fail to comply they will lose their access rights: (lists are given)

All users of the Genomics Research Hub are expected to observe the following. If they fail to comply they will lose their access rights:

  • Food and drink are not permitted within the facility.
  • All waste material (including laboratory gloves) should be properly disposed in the clinical waste bins provided.
  • Coats and bags should not be brought into the laboratories. Please leave them in the adjoining office.
  • Do not use any equipment that you have not been properly trained for. All users should familiarise themselves with the appropriate risk assessments for the procedures being undertaken.
  • All USB data storage devices must be virus checked before plugging them into any of our systems.