It was requested that I summarize the responses I recieved regarding
loading the 377XL upgrade:
Most people liked the 8 channel Hamilton syringe for loading. Many
were very enthusiastic about them. I even received a very handy grid
that arranges the samples for a 96 well format (Thank-you Bruce):
For 64 well loading it is as follows
A 01 05 09 13 17 21 25 29
B 33 37 41 45 49 53 57 61
C 03 07 11 15 19 23 27 31
D 35 39 43 47 51 55 59 63
E 02 06 10 14 18 22 26 30
F 34 38 42 46 50 54 58 62
G 04 08 12 16 20 24 28 32
H 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64
This allows us to load every other lane. A-D, run them in and load
E-H.
Here is the Hamilton info:
0.4 mM 8-Channel 84502
0.3 mM 8-Channel 84503
0.2 mM 8-Channel 84511
All cost about $600.00.
Hamilton Company
4970 Energy Way
Reno, Nevada 89502
phone (800) 648-5950
FAX (702) 856-7259
Amoung users the common problems with the Hamilton included:
They are backordered for about 3 months although The Gel Company
(415-522-1866) says they have them in stock now.
The syringes clog easily and have to be rinsed thoroughly with water,
one user stores them in the barrel with H2O.
There were some who preferred to load each lane individually. They
says it is the most reliable and gets faster and better with practice.
One user tried the Hamilton 8-channel and the needle stuck between the
glass plates and pulled out from the syringe. In response a Hamilton
user suggested that we rest the tip of the syringe needles on the edge
of the front plate, between two plates and allow the more dense
loading dye with the sample to fall into the well. To increase the
density of their Amersham loading dye, they add 0.15g of Blue Dextran
to 25 mL of Amersham loading dye and vortex for 10 minutes.
If someone would like more information please e-mail me.
Rebecca Taylor
retaylor at cgl.ucsf.edu
