With the continuous advancement of laboratory automation technology, automated nucleic acid extraction workstations have gradually become indispensable and important equipment in the laboratory. Among them, Opentrons' Flex nucleic acid extraction workstation has won wide recognition for its excellent performance. However, for every user, how to correctly install and configure the Opentrons Flex nucleic acid extraction workstation in the laboratory to ensure that it can fully exert its optimal performance is undoubtedly an urgent problem that needs to be solved.

Opentrons Flex Nucleic Acid Extraction Workstation

1. Preparation 1. Confirm the working environment: Ensure that the laboratory has stable power supply, network connection, and appropriate temperature and humidity conditions. Check that the space required for your workstation is sufficient and that the work area is clear of obstructions. 2. Prepare installation tools and materials: Prepare necessary installation tools, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. Make sure you have all necessary accessories and consumables, such as power cords, network cables, calibration tools, etc.

2. Install hardware 1. Install the main body of the workstation: Place the Opentrons Flex nucleic acid extraction workstation at the predetermined location, and use screws or other fixings to securely install it on the table. Make sure the connection between the main body of the workstation and the countertop is firm and reliable. 2. Connect the power supply and network: Plug the power cord into the power socket on the back of the workstation and connect it to the laboratory power socket. Use network cables to connect the workstation to the laboratory network for remote monitoring and data transmission. 3. Install modules and accessories: According to experimental needs, install the required modules and accessories, such as magnetic bead separation module, pipetting module, etc. Make sure all modules and accessories are properly installed and secured to the workstation.

3. Software configuration and calibration 1. Install software: Install the control software of Opentrons Flex workstation on the computer. Make sure the software version is compatible with the workstation hardware. 2. Configure the workstation: Open the control software and follow the prompts to configure the basic parameters of the workstation, such as the size of the work area, module location, etc. Import or create experimental protocols to define workstation procedures and procedures. 3. Calibrate the workstation: Use calibration tools to calibrate each module of the workstation to ensure its accuracy and precision. During the calibration process, you need to follow the software prompts step by step, and pay attention to observe whether the calibration results meet the requirements.

4. Testing and Verification 1. Run the test protocol: Select a test protocol and run it to verify the performance and accuracy of the workstation. Observe and record data during testing to evaluate workstation performance. 2. Adjustment and optimization: Based on the test results, make necessary adjustments and optimizations to the configuration and calibration of the workstation. Ensure that the workstation can perform experimental protocols stably and accurately.

5. Formal use and maintenance 1. Formal use: After confirming that the performance of the workstation is stable and accurate, you can start to use it officially for nucleic acid extraction experiments. During use, the experimental protocol and operating procedures must be strictly followed. 2. Regular maintenance: Clean and maintain the workstation regularly to ensure its long-term stable operation. Regularly check and replace consumed accessories and reagents to ensure the accuracy and reliability of experiments.

After reviewing the installation steps of the Opentrons Flex nucleic acid extraction workstation in the laboratory, we would like to point out that the above process is only a general guide and is intended to provide a rough installation framework. In practice, the specific installation process may vary depending on the workstation model, the diversity of experimental needs, and the uniqueness of the laboratory environment. For example, different models of Opentrons Flex workstations may have differences in hardware configuration, software interface or functional modules, which requires us to carefully check the specific model and configuration requirements of the workstation during installation.

Related reading recommendations

Pippet White Paper: Thermal Cycling Module

Introduce automation into your laboratory

OT-2 liquid handling robot safety and regulatory compliance information

Introduction to the entire desalting process of OT-2 peptide desalting workstation

Opentrons fully automatic pipetting workstation requirements for laboratory environment

Opentrons fully automatic pipetting workstation type