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Thermo Fisher Scientific Highlights Protocols for Microvolume Quantification of Nucleic Acids Using NanoDrop Instrumentation
July 1, 2011
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, announced two protocols for microvolume quantification of nucleic acids using NanoDrop instrumentation. The Thermo Scientific NanoDrop 2000c UV-Vis spectrophotometer and NanoDrop 3300 fluorospectrometer allow scientists to quickly and easily quantify nucleic acid samples. Nucleic acid quantification is an integral QC step in many molecular techniques such as PCR, microarrays and sequencing. NanoDrop instrumentation optimizes this process by measuring sample volumes as low as 1µL during analyses that take less than five seconds. The two protocols are demonstrated in a video article that can be viewed here, NanoDrop Microvolume Quantitation of Nucleic Acids
The NanoDrop instruments use an innovative sample retention system rather than a traditional cuvette-based system for nucleic acid quantification. The first protocol follows a direct A260 absorbance method using the NanoDrop 2000c spectrophotometer and the second protocol utilizes a fluorescence-based method using the NanoDrop 3300 fluorospectrometer. These novel techniques enable the assessment of nucleic acid concentrations ranging from 1pg/µL to 15,000 ng/µL with minimal consumption of sample.
The NanoDrop 2000c microvolume sample retention system functions by combining fiber optic technology and natural surface tension properties to capture and retain minute amounts of sample without the use of cuvettes. The system also employs variable pathlengths, which result in a broad measureable range of nucleic acid concentrations, eliminating the need to perform dilutions. Reducing the volume of the sample required for analysis using NanoDrop instruments also facilitates the inclusion of additional quality control steps throughout molecular workflows. This results in greater efficiency and greater confidence in downstream results.
Recent experimental advances have resulted in the need for high-sensitivity quantification of low sample concentrations. By combining the use of fluorescence with microvolume sample retention technology, the NanoDrop 3300 fluorospectrometer enables highly sensitive quantification measurements to be performed with 1-2µL volumes, allowing fluorescent assay volume requirements to be significantly reduced.
The Thermo Scientific NanoDrop 2000c spectrophotometer and NanoDrop 3300 fluorospectrometer offer practical alternatives to traditional methods for the quantification of nucleic acids. View the video, NanoDrop Microvolume Quantitation of Nucleic Acids. It is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, French, German and Spanish viewing options.
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With annual revenues of $10.5 billion, we have more than 34,000 employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com.
