Outstanding performance in real-time PCR
Rotor-Gene Q 5plex HRM Platform is The unique centrifugal rotary design of the Rotor-Gene Q makes it the most precise and versatile real-time PCR cycler currently available (see figure “Cross-section of the Rotor-Gene Q”). Each tube spins in a chamber of moving air, keeping all samples at precisely the same temperature during rapid thermal cycling. Detection is similarly uniform. When each tube aligns with the detection optics, the sample is illuminated and the fluorescent signal is rapidly collected from a single, short optical pathway.
This thermal and optical uniformity results in sensitive, precise, and fast real-time PCR analysis (see figure “Precise real-time PCR analysis”). It also eliminates sample-to-sample variations and edge effects. These are unavoidable in traditional block-based instruments due to temperature gradients across the block and multiple, complex optical pathways. The rotary design delivers well-to-well variation ±0.02°C Uniform detection eliminating the need for ROX reference dye Fast ramping and negligible equilibration times for short run times Complete confidence in your results!
The unrivaled optical range enables multiple applications Whether your essay is based on intercalating dyes such as SYBR Green, probes such as hydrolysis (TaqMan), hybridization (FRET), Scorpion probes, or other multiplex chemistries, the Rotor-Gene Q meets your requirements. With up to 6 channels spanning UV to infrared wavelengths, the cycler delivers the widest optical range currently available (see Table “Channels for optical detection”). In addition, the software allows you to create new excitation/detection wavelength combinations, which means that the Rotor-Gene Q is compatible with dyes you may use in the future.
Precise and robust real-time PCR
The real-time PCR-cycler Rotor-Gene Q is designed to be used for real-time and end-point thermal cycling using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high-resolution melting analysis (HMR) for various molecular biology applications. It has a unique design with a rotor that spins the samples, which minimizes the optical and thermal variation. The instrument’s stability in combination with its fast ramping rates and short equilibrium times renders Rotor-Gene Q highly suitable for fast, sensitive, and accurate quantitative analyses.
User-friendly design and software
With its small, light, and robust design there is hardly any need for maintenance. There is a lifetime guarantee for the LEDs and no need for optical calibration or cleaning of sample blocks. Also, the rotary design prevents any condensation or bubbles forming in the reactions. Rotor-Gene Q can be used with either tubes or Rotor-Discs for faster handling of high-throughput workflows. In addition, it features intuitive software, such as the Q-Rex Software, which supports all analysis procedures from basic to advanced algorithms, and its extension software Rotor-Gene ScreenClust HRM Software, which enables HRM analysis for genotyping, mutation screening, pathogen typing, and quantitative methylation analysis. Furthermore, the software REST software 2009 takes the different PCR efficiencies of the gene of interest and reference genes into account and provides an analysis of e.g. up- and downregulation for gene expression studies.
Widest optical range — even more applications
Rotor-Gene Q has an unrivaled optical range with up to 6 channels spanning from UV to infrared wavelengths and can, therefore, be used with a number of different fluorophores. The software also allows the addition of new wavelength combinations so that it will be compatible with new dyes to be used in future applications. Today, the instrument can be used for applications such as gene expression analysis, genotyping, pathogen detection, mutation analysis, DNA methylation analysis, and miRNA research.
Benefits of the Rotor-Gene Q:
- Outstanding thermal and optical performance due to rotary format
- An unmatched optical range spanning UV to infrared wavelengths
- Various state-of-the-art analyses supported by user-friendly software
- Low maintenance and maximum convenience due to robust design
- High performance in multiple applications with QIAGEN kits
Unique rotary design for outstanding performance
The unique centrifugal rotary design of the Rotor-Gene Q makes it the most precise and versatile real-time PCR cycler currently available (Figure 1). Each tube spins in a chamber of moving air, keeping all samples at precisely the same temperature during rapid thermal cycling. Detection is similarly uniform. When each tube aligns with the detection optics, the sample is illuminated and the fluorescent signal is rapidly collected from a single, short optical pathway. This thermal and optical uniformity results in sensitive, precise, and fast real-time PCR analysis (Figure 2). It also eliminates sample-to-sample variation and edge effects. These are unavoidable in traditional block-based instruments due to temperature gradients across the block and multiple, complex optical pathways.
The rotary design delivers:
- Well-to-well temperature variation below ±0.02°C
- Uniform detection eliminating the need for ROX reference dye
- Fast ramping and negligible equilibration times for short run times
- Complete confidence in your results!
Applications
A range of QIAGEN kits for the Rotor-Gene Q enables reliable quantification in all your real-time PCR applications without the need for optimization of reaction and cycling conditions. Kits for real-time PCR and HRM applications are available for:
- Gene expression analysis
- Pathogen detection
- DNA methylation analysis
- Genotyping and gene scanning
- miRNA research
Expand your research with HRM
High-resolution melting analysis (HRM) is a closed-tube, post-PCR analysis that has raised enormous scientific interest. HRM characterizes double-stranded PCR products based on their dissociation (melting) behavior. It is similar to classical melting curve analysis but provides far more information for a wider range of applications. PCR products can be discriminated according to sequence, length, GC content, or strand complementarity, down to single base-pair changes. Previously unknown and even complex sequence variations can be readily detected and characterized in a robust and straightforward way. The rotary design of the Rotor-Gene Q and its outstanding thermal and optical performance are highly suited to HRM.
The HRM option for the Rotor-Gene Q includes:
- A specially tuned high-intensity optical HRM channel
- The thermal resolution of 0.02°C
- High data-acquisition rates
- Comprehensive HRM software
Minimum maintenance; maximum convenience
The Rotor-Gene Q is engineered to reduce the need for maintenance and to maximize ease of use. This saves time and costs, and allows you to focus on your research; not on keeping the cycler up and running.
Convenient features of the Rotor-Gene Q include:
- Lifetime guarantee on highly stable LEDs, no expensive lamps or lasers to change, no gradual performance loss of light source
- No optical calibration needed at installation or when the instrument is moved
- No sample block to clean
- No condensation or bubbles in reactions due to rotation
- Small, light, and robust; simply place the instrument wherever you like
Procedure
Flexible formats match your workflows
The Rotor-Gene Q supports multiple PCR tube formats to suit a range of needs (see figure “Flexible formats“). Changing the format, by simply switching the snap-fit metal rotor that holds the tubes, takes just seconds. As well as tubes, Rotor-Discs are available, which offer accelerated setup and higher throughput. Rotor-Discs are circular plates of vertically oriented reaction wells. The Rotor-Disc 100 is the equivalent of a 96-well plate with an additional 4 reference wells. These extra wells can be conveniently used for more reactions or additional controls. Alternatively, the Rotor-Disc 72 has 72 wells. Rotor-Discs can be quickly and easily sealed with plastic film using a Rotor-Disc Heat Sealer. For all you need to run reactions using Rotor-Discs, choose the Rotor-Disc 100 Starter Kit or the Rotor-Disc 72 Starter Kit.
You can perform manual reaction setup, or take advantage of QIAGEN’s automated solutions for reaction setup. The QIAgility is cost-effective and delivers rapid, high-precision PCR setup, while the QIAsymphony AS is ideal for laboratories performing routine PCR tests on a day-to-day basis. Both instruments perform automated reaction setup in Rotor-Gene formats, allow direct transfer of sample lists, and are supplied with verified protocols for real-time PCR master mixes.
Easy routine verification
Laboratories may often want to verify thermal accuracy. For most cyclers, this requires interaction with a service engineer. With the Rotor-Gene Q, this is not necessary. Instead, the easy-to-use, cost-effective Rotor-Disc OTV (Optical Temperature Verification) Kit automates accuracy testing. The full procedure takes only a couple of minutes.
Software
Q-Rex Software
Q-Rex Software is operating and analysis operating and analysis software that drives Rotor-Gene Q hardware and facilitates experiment setup, data acquisition, and basic and advanced analyses. The configurable nature of Q-Rex allows you to easily create the exact software configuration to meet your specific analysis needs without installing functions you will never use.
- Fast and easy access to templates and recent experiments
- Drag-and-drop creation of new experiments
- Plug-ins to expand capacity for specific applications
- Audit trail for 21CFR part 11 compliance
The software is suitable for use by the most novice researchers while maintaining the highly complex data analysis functions required by advanced researchers.
Rotor-Gene Q Software
The comprehensive Rotor-Gene Q software package supports all current state-of-the-art real-time analysis procedures from basic to advanced algorithms. This provides complete freedom to analyze your valuable experimental data and increases the reliability of your results. Data security is assured and all process steps are trackable from starting the run to exporting the results.
Superior Rotor-Gene ScreenClust HRM Software available for genotyping and mutation detection using HRM analysis
Rotor-Gene ScreenClust HRM Software is an extension of the Rotor-Gene operating software. This software is the most powerful tool currently available for analysis of HRM data from the Rotor-Gene Q or Rotor-Gene 6000 cycler. By grouping samples into clusters, Rotor-Gene ScreenClust HRM Software opens a new dimension in HRM analysis for applications such as genotyping and mutation screening.
REST software 2009
REST software 2009 is a standalone software tool for analysis of gene expression data from quantitative real-time PCR experiments. REST software 2009 is available for download under the “Resources” tab and provides valuable analysis, including:
- Estimation of up- and down-regulation for gene expression studies
- Randomization and bootstrapping techniques
- Graphical data output via whisker-box plots
Traditional relative quantification enables the estimation of gene expression. However, this method does not provide statistical information that is suitable for comparing expression in groups of treated and untreated samples in a robust manner. The integrated randomization and bootstrapping methods used in REST software 2009 test the statistical significance of calculated expression ratios and can be used even when the data includes outliers.
REST software 2009 applies a mathematic model that takes into account the different PCR efficiencies of the gene of interest and reference genes. Compared to using a single reference gene, using multiple reference genes for normalization can improve the reliability of results.
Rotor-Gene Assay Manager
Rotor-Gene AssayManager is software for routine testing. The core application is complemented by a selection of plug-ins that contain assay-type-specific analysis and visualization of the results for fully automated real-time PCR analysis. Further information is available from the following links:
Specifications
Features | Specifications |
Altitude | Up to 2000 m (6500 ft) |
Dimensions | Width, 37 cm (14.6 in.); Height, 28.6 cm (11.3 in.); Depth (without cables), 42 cm (16.5 in.); Depth (door open), 53.8 cm (21.2 in.) |
Features | Dynamic range, 10 orders of magnitude |
Heat dissipation/thermal load | Average, 0.183 kW (632 BTU/hour); Peak, 0.458 kW (1578 BTU/hour) |
Humidity | 10–75% (noncondensing) |
Kits designed for this instrument | artus QS-RGQ Kits (not available in all countries), RG SYBR Green PCR Kits; RG SYBR Green RT-PCR Kit; RG Probe PCR Kits; RG Probe RT-PCR Kit; RG Multiplex PCR Kit |
Operating temperature | 18-30ºC (64-86ºF) |
Optical System | Up to 6 channels spanning UV to infra-red wavelengths; Excitation sources: High energy light-emitting diodes; Detector: Photomultiplier; Acquisition time: 4 s. The software allows creating new excitation/detection wavelength combinations |
Overvoltage category | II |
Place of operation | For indoor use only |
Pollution level | 2; Environmental class 3K2 (IEC 60721-3-3) |
Power | 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, <520 VA (peak); Power consumption <60 VA (standby); Mains supply voltage fluctuations are not to exceed 10% of the nominal supply voltages; F5a 250 V fuse |
Protocols/main application on this instrument | Gene expression analysis, microRNA detection, Virus detection, SNP genotyping, SNP genotyping, High-Resolution Melt Analysis (HRM) |
Samples per run (throughput) | Tubes 0.2 ml; Strip Tubes 0.1 ml (4 tubes); Rotor-Disc 72; Rotor-Disc 100; Up to 100 samples per run using a Rotor-Disc 100 |
Software | Rotor-Gene Q software, supplied on the installation CD provided |
Storage conditions | 15ºC to 30ºC (59ºF to 86ºF) in manufacturer’s package; Max. 75% relative humidity (noncondensing); Environmental class 1K2 (IEC 60721-3-1) |
Technology | Real-time PCR cycler |
Thermal performance | Temperature range, 35 to 99ºC; Temperature accuracy, ±0.5ºC (type, measured 30 seconds after clock start); Temperature resolution, ±0.02ºC (smallest programmable increment); Temperature uniformity, ±0.02ºC; Ramp rate (peak ramp rates, air), >15ºC/s heating, >20ºC/s cooling |
Transportation conditions | –25ºC to 60ºC (–13ºF to 140ºF) in manufacturer’s package; Max. 75% relative humidity (noncondensing); Environmental class 2K2 (IEC 60721-3-2) |
Typical run time | 40 cycles in 45 min with the QIAGEN RG Kits (assay dependent) |
Warranty | 1 year on the instrument; lifetime guarantee on excitation LEDs |
Weight | 12.5 kg (27.6 lb.), standard configuration |
Rotor-Gene Q 5plex HRM Platform Includes:
- Rotor-Gene Q 5plex HRM Platform
- Rotor-Gene SYBR Green PCR Kit (400)
- Rotor-Gene SYBR Green PCR Kit (2000)
- Rotor-Gene SYBR Green RT-PCR Kit (400)
- Rotor-Gene Probe PCR Kit (400)
- Rotor-Gene Probe RT-PCR Kit (400)
- Rotor-Gene Multiplex PCR Kit (80)
- Rotor-Gene Multiplex PCR Kit (400)
- Rotor-Gene Multiplex RT-PCR Kit (80)
- Rotor-Gene Multiplex RT-PCR Kit (400)
- 72-Well Rotor
- Locking Ring
- PC installed with Rotor-Gene Q 2.3.4 Real-Time Data Acquisition and Analysis Software
- Communication Cable
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