I'll debuke their idea of the plates being dirty. Our 'blank' runs only
occur on one of our instruments. The other instruments DO NOT have this
problem.
I've got to call them and see if we can get someone to check it out.
Are you by any chance using 96-well purification plates? we're trying to
really analyze every variable.
Give me a call so we can discuss this further!
Chris Jacobs
DNA Sequencing Lab
Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals
Office Phone: (734) 622-5724
Lab Phone: (734) 622-1815
E-mail: chris.jacobs@wl.com
> ----------
> From: mcada002@mc.duke.edu
> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 1999 4:19 PM
> To: Recipients of ABRF List
> Subject: Blank and partail blank runs on DNA Seq (377XL)
>
>
>
> We are at our wits end here tryng to solve a DNA sequencing problem.
>
> Problem:
>
> The samples show blank lanes for the first approximately half of the
> run,
> then start showing up as if normal. We have not had a normal run in about
> a
> week. It is next to imposible to get through to PE Biosystems for help.
> When
> we have been able to get through the information we get conflicts with
> information gotten from another. Service engineer has been here today -
> says
> our plates are contaminated with something from the gel and we should
> routinely
> go through some rigorous wash procedure routinely. We have been running
> gels
> for about four years now and this is the first occurance we have seen like
> this.
> We wash our gels everyday, manually, with hot water at the sink and
> Multi-Terge.
>
> About 3 years ago we had a problem with band broadening due to some
> build
> up on the plates. But, when we started cleaning with Multi-Terge the
> problem
> was gone. No problems until suddenly one day last week the first half of
> the
> Run was blank, and then as I mentioned earlier, the samples' ladders
> pattern
> started showing.
>
> The service engineer says this 'happens all the time'. If so, then
> for
> somebody out there it must have happened. Would you please respond and
> let us
> know what solved your problem? We're well backed-up now and can't keep
> expecting PE Bio. to solve this. If it's someting on the plates fine -
> but
> we're very skeptical.
>
> If it is more practical to respond (converse) by phone that's OK.
> We're
> desperate!
>
> Millie McAdams/ Judy Phelps
> 919 684-2652/ 919-684-2405
>
>