Is there a way to allow mxing beyond 60 cycles without moving the tips out of the liquid? I need to mix samples for 30 minutes wih out removing the tips from the lquid because it causes bubbles that result in sample loss. It appears that an error occurs over 60 cycles.
Hi @Madclem1,
There is a limitation on number of Mix Cycles set to 99, however the error you’re receiving is due to surpassing the maximum time any instrument single step is allowed to process, which is five minutes. This timeout is not adjustable; however, there is a function in the Pipetting Tools Library (part of the STAR Tools Suite which can be downloaded at this link) called PIP_MixFromFixedHeight.
This function has the same Mix Cycle limitation as a standard step, but bypasses the five minute timeout and has a parameter for End Position, which allows multiple calls of this function while leaving the tip in liquid by preventing the tip from returning to the Traverse Height between function calls (use input 3 for Liquid Level).
Thank you,
Dan
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That’s great.I’ll try it out. Thank you.
Quick question, is this doable with the 96 head?
Hi @Madclem1,
Unfortunately, there isn’t a single command to handle this mix with the MPH96 in the same fashion as the channels, however, such a technique can be mimicked by using the ‘MPH_AspirateFromFixedHeight’ and ‘MPH_DispenseToFixedHeight’ in a loop with each having the same End Position. Each iteration of the Aspirate/Dispense can be considered a single ‘mix cycle’, and the tip won’t leave liquid due to the matching End Position of “Liquid Level”
Thank you,
Dan
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That’s what I thought. It’s what I was trying before I left yesterday. Thank you for confirming.