Re: DNA Seq:Gel Loading

Macky Edmundson (mackyE@qimr.edu.au)
Fri, 1 May 1998 12:22:29 +1000

>I was just wondering what people are using to load their 64 lane gels. We
>are using the hamilton multi-channel syringe and it works pretty good. I
>have had two blocked needles in about three months. Is this normal? Is
>anyone using the prismStrip and prismpette or are there any better
>alternatives. Thanks

I get all my samples in eppendorfs so I have to load samples individually
so our situation is probably different, however I have accidently stumbled
on the perfect pippette/tip combination which others may find useful.

I have tried Eppendorf/Finn/Gilson/Socorex/Costar 2 ul pippettes and the
Socorex Calibra 822 is the best I have used by far so I thought I would
give them a plug.

The Ranin Gt 10-2 tips are not supposed to fit this pippetor, however it
actually works perfectly but you need to tape a small spacer on the end of
the pippetor to get it to eject (takes 5 minutes). The Ranin tips seem much
better than the National Scientific ULR tips I used to use, especially for
64 well loading.

There is almost no dead volume using the Socorex/Ranin tip and even the
worse oily/viscous cosmid samples are no problem anymore. My loading times
have actually nearly halved! You can even wash the tips between loading and
reuse if you want. I have laoded an entire 64 lane gel with one tip with no
problems (only becasue I ran out of tips!).

ps

Whats the latest on the new lane upgrade and tracking software from ABI,
anyone have any news on cost/release dates?

Macky Edmundson - Queensland Institute of Medical Research

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