Type: Equipment
The Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer is a microfluidic-based platform designed for sizing, quantification and quality control of DNA and RNA by small-chip electrophoresis in a single instrument. Results are obtained in a short time in an automated way, directly in digital format.
The miniaturisation of analytical instruments offers numerous advantages over conventional techniques. These include improved data accuracy and reproducibility, reduced analysis times, minimal sample consumption and improved automation and integration of complex workflows.
The Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer is the industry standard for RNA quality control and has displaced laborious gel electrophoresis for this application. It is also rapidly taking over the position of gel electrophoresis for DNA fragment analysis.
In RNA quality control, the software calculates the RNA concentration and two numerical parameters indicating RNA integrity: the ratio between 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA (28S/18S) and the RIN number (RNA Integrity number). The RIN parameter was introduced by Agilent Technologies in order to standardise the RNA integrity interpretation process and eliminate the bias associated with individual interpretation.
On the other hand, for DNA quality control, this system allows to obtain the size and quantity of DNA: high resolution DNA separation and quantification. Different chips are available depending on the size of the DNA to be visualised.
The miniaturisation of analytical instruments offers numerous advantages over conventional techniques. These include improved accuracy and reproducibility of data, reduced analysis times, minimal sample consumption or better automation and integration of complex workflows. Introduced in 1999, the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer was the first commercial instrument to use microfluidic technology for the analysis of biological samples.
- RNA quality check and estimated quantification: provides total RNA, mRNA and smallRNA data including the RIN (RNA integrity number) algorithm.
- DNA size and quantity: high resolution DNA separation and quantification.
The interested user can contact the staff of the Service to request information and/or a quotation. The quotation must always be signed by both parties, the project leader and the UCIM Coordinator.
Once the quotation is accepted, the user will provide the samples* for the selected analysis.
*Recommendations for samples:
- Samples must be delivered properly labelled, packaged and conditioned to ensure their identification, integrity and preservation during transport and to guarantee the safety of the personnel carrying out the transport.
- Each sample shall be submitted/shipped in a 0.2 ml nuclease-free tube, well-sealed and correctly identified.
- For DNA and RNA analysis a minimum of 3μl of sample must be provided.
The delivery of results will be done by email, the Service will send a pdf file with the results of the RNA (concentration, 28S/18S ratio, RIN) or DNA (concentration, size) analysis together with the images corresponding to the analysis performed (gel, electropherograms).
