Agilent AriaMx Real-Time PCR User Manual
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System
Setup and User Guide
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Version M0, March 2021
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© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2014–2018. 2021
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Manual Part Number
G8830-90001
Edition
Version M0, March 2021
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AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide
South Korean Class A EMC Declaration
A 급 기기 ( 업무용 방송통신기자재 )
This equipment is Class A suitable for professional use and is for use in
electromagnetic environments outside of the home.
이 기기는 업무용 (A 급 ) 전자파적합기기로서 판 매자 또는 사용자는 이 점을 주
의하시기 바라 며 , 가정외의 지역에서 사용하는 것을 목적으 로 합니다 .
Document Part Number: 5061-7383
*5061-7383*
© Agilent Technologies 2012
s1
Contents
1 Before You Begin 6
Overview of the AriaMx Real-Time PCR System 7
Materials provided with the AriaMx Real-Time PCR System 7
Hardware specifications 8
Recommended plasticware 8
Safety precautions 9
Indicator LED light 11
Agilent Technical Support 12
2 Installing and Setting Up the Instrument 13
Installing the AriaMx Instrument 14
Step 1. Select a location for the instrument 14
Step 2. Unpack the shipping containers 14
Step 3. Install the optical modules 16
Step 4. Clean the thermal block 19
Step 5. Connect the instrument to a power supply 20
Step 6. Connect a keyboard or mouse to the instrument (optional) 20
Step 7. Connect the instrument to a network or directly to a PC 20
Setting Up the AriaMx Instrument 23
Step 1. Turn on the instrument and calibrate the background for the optical modules 23
Step 2. Set the instrument date and time 24
Step 3. Run a diagnostic check 24
Logging In and Creating User Accounts 26
Step 1. Log in to the instrument using an Administrator account 26
Step 2. Add user accounts 27
Step 3. Log in to your personal user account 27
Customizing Instrument Settings 28
3 Installation of the Aria Software 29
Minimum requirements for running the Aria software 30
Installing the Standard Aria Software 31
Download the Aria software 31
Install the Aria software 31
Launch the Aria software 37
Installing the Aria ET (Electronic Tracking) Software 38
Download the Aria software and Microsoft SQL Server 2012 38
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 4
Install Microsoft SQL Server 2012 38
Install the Aria ET software 43
Configure and start Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) service 49
Launch the Aria ET software 51
Installing Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 53
Download Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 53
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 53
4 Running Experiments 56
Preparing and Loading PCR Samples 57
Prepare samples 57
Load samples 57
Setting Up and Running Experiments 58
Use the touchscreen to set up and run an experiment 58
Use the PC software to set up and run an experiment 58
Managing Saved Experiments 60
Locate saved experiment files 60
Create a subfolder 60
Copy and paste experiments 61
Transfer experiments to a USB drive 61
5 Troubleshooting, Maintenance, and Updates 62
Troubleshooting Instrument Error Messages 63
View error messages 63
Open the diagnostic report 63
Maintaining the Instrument 64
Service the instrument 64
Clean the instrument 64
Clean the optical modules 64
Updating the Instrument Software 66
Cybersecurity Guidance 67
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 5
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System
Setup and User Guide
1 Before You Begin
Overview of the AriaMx Real-Time PCR System 7
Materials provided with the AriaMx Real-Time PCR System 7
Hardware specifications 8
Recommended plasticware 8
Safety precautions 9
Indicator LED light 11
Agilent Technical Support 12
This chapter contains information for you to read and understand before you start setting up the instrument.
6
Overview of the AriaMx Real-Time PCR System
The AriaMx Real-Time PCR System is a fully integrated quantitative PCR amplification, detection,
and data analysis system. The system design combines a state-of-the-art thermal cycler, an
advanced optical system with an LED excitation source, and complete data analysis software.
The instrument can hold up to six optics modules, and the scanning optics design delivers
optimal separation between the dyes and between samples. The instrument provides a
closed-tube PCR detection format that can be used with a variety of fluorescence detection
chemistries including SYBR® Green and EvaGreen dyes as well as fluorogenic probe systems
including TaqMan probes.
Materials provided with the AriaMx Real-Time PCR System
Table 1 Materials provided
Materials provided Quantity
AriaMx instrument 1
Certificate of Conformance 1
AriaMx installation poster 1
Power cord 1
Optical modules Up to 6 optical modules, as selected by the user
The AriaMx instrument, the Certificate of Conformance, and the AriaMx installation poster are all
shipped together in the same shipping container. The power cord and optical modules are each
shipped in their own packaging.
Table 2 Materials offered as options at time of purchase
Options Quantity
Electronic tracking (ET) software 1 seat
Notebook PC 1
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 7
Hardware specifications
Table 3 Hardware specifications for the AriaMx Real-Time PCR System
Feature Specification
Excitation source Eight dye-specific LEDs per optical module
Detection Eight photodiodes per optical module
Dyes ROX, FAM, HEX, CY5, CY3, ATTO 425
Electrical power (input) 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1100VA
Thermal system Peltier-based, 96-well block
Six slots, swappable cartridges, no reference channel needed
Thermal system
temperature range
Cycling speeds 40 cycle protocol in 43 minutes
Storage environment 10–43°C (50–109°F); 10–90% non-condensing humidity
Operating environment 20–30°C (68–86°F); 20–80% non-condensing humidity;
Weight 50 lbs (23 kg)
Dimensions 19.7" W × 18.1" D × 16.5" H (50 cm × 46cm × 42cm)
On board quality checks Instrument QC checks:
Warranty One-year warranty
Plastic consumables Low-profile 0.2-ml tubes, strip tubes, and 96-well plates
25.0–99.9°C
Max Heating: >6°C/sec
Max Cooling: >2.5°C/sec
Accuracy: ±0.2°C or better at typical annealing, amplification, and
denaturation temperatures
maximum altitude of 2000 m
All checks: 30 minutes; Selected checks: 10–30 minutes
Calibration: 1-minute background calibration
Data loss prevention:
Data captured from all channels on each scan
Ability to store up to 5 GB on the instrument
See “Recommended plasticware” on page 8 for part numbers
Recommended plasticware
Table Table 4 lists the part numbers of Agilent plates, tubes, and other plastic consumables for
use in the AriaMx instrument.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 8
Table 4 QPCR plasticware for use in the AriaMx instrument
Agilent Part
Number
401490 96-well plate, fully skirted, low profile
401491 96-well plate, rigid, fully skirted, low profile
401494 96-well plate, non-skirted, low profile
401493 8x strip tubes, without caps, low profile, 120 strips (10 packs of 12 strips)
401425 8x strip tube optical caps, 120 strips (10 packs of 12 strips)
401427 8x strip tube optical caps, 60 strips (5 packs of 12 strips)
401492 Adhesive seal for 96-well plates, 50-pack
Safety precautions
Electrical
Standard electrical safety precautions should be applied, including the following:
• Always put the instrument in a location where, if needed, the power supply can be immediately
disconnected.
• Proper voltage (100–240 VAC) must be supplied before you turn on the instrument for the first
time.
• The device must be connected to a grounded socket. Do not operate the instrument from a
power outlet that has no ground connection.
• Do not touch any switches or outlets with wet hands.
• Turn off the instrument before you disconnect the power cord.
• Unplug the instrument before you clean any major liquid spills and before you service any of
the electrical or internal components.
• Do not connect the instrument to the same power strip as other high power-draw appliances
(e.g., refrigerators and centrifuges).
• Do not service the electrical components unless you are qualified to do so.
Description
When sealing plates with adhesive seals, Agilent recommends using
MicroAmp Optical Film Compression Pads (Thermo Scientific, part number
4312639).
Fluids and Reagents
• Fill reaction vessels outside the instrument so that no fluids penetrate the instrument.
• Never cycle or incubate explosive, flammable and reactive substances in the instrument.
• You must observe the relevant safety regulations when handling pathogenic material,
radioactive substances or other substances hazardous to health.
• Do not submerge the instrument in any liquid.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 9
Danger of Burns
• Do not touch the thermal block, inner side of heated lid and reaction vessels. These areas
quickly attain temperatures of greater than 50°C. Keep the heated lid closed until temperatures
of 30°C or lower are reached.
• Do not use any materials (plates, sealings, foils, mats) which are not sufficiently
temperature-stable (up to 120°C).
Operating Environment
• The ventilation slots of the device must remain free to vent at all times. Leave at least 10 cm of
space around the instrument.
• Keep the ambient temperature between 20°C and 30°C with humidity levels between 20% and
80% non-condensing.
• Do not operate the instrument in a hazardous or potentially explosive environment.
• Do not attempt to open the instrument door when the instrument is running an experiment.
Equipment Ratings
• Pollution degree 2
• Installation category II
• Altitude 2000 m
• Humidity 20 to 80%, non-condensing
• Electrical supply 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1100VA
• Temperature 20°C to 30°C
• For Indoor Use Only
Electrostatic Discharge
The instrument is static sensitive. Electrostatic discharges greater than 8000 volts may interfere
with the normal operation of the USB ports on the instrument. Handling precautions are required
when working in high static environments. Wear a grounded wrist strap and take other antistatic
precautions prior to making contact with the device in high static environments. ESD
STM5.1-1998 Class 3B.
Safety Symbols
The electrical/safety symbols described below may be displayed on the instrument.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 10
Indicator LED light
On the front of the instrument (top right corner) is a status indicator LED. Table 5 summarizes the
status codes for this LED light.
Power on
Power off
Caution
Caution, hot surfaces
Table 5 Appearance of the status indicator LED
Appearance Instrument Status
Off The instrument is idle.
Blinking green The instrument is running.
Solid green The instrument is paused.
Blinking red The instrument has detected an error. Check the display for an error message
containing further details.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 11
Agilent Technical Support
Agilent Technical Support is available worldwide.
For US and Canada
Call (800)227-9770 (option 3,4,3)
Or send an e-mail to qPCR.support@agilent.com.
For all other regions
Agilent’s world-wide Sales and Support Center contact details for your location can be obtained at
www.agilent.com/en/contact-us/page.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 12
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System
Setup and User Guide
2 Installing and Setting Up the Instrument
Installing the AriaMx Instrument 14
Step 1. Select a location for the instrument 14
Step 2. Unpack the shipping containers 14
Step 3. Install the optical modules 16
Step 4. Clean the thermal block 19
Step 5. Connect the instrument to a power supply 20
Step 6. Connect a keyboard or mouse to the instrument (optional) 20
Step 7. Connect the instrument to a network or directly to a PC 20
Setting Up the AriaMx Instrument 23
Step 1. Turn on the instrument and calibrate the background for the optical modules 23
Step 2. Set the instrument date and time 24
Step 3. Run a diagnostic check 24
Logging In and Creating User Accounts 26
Step 1. Log in to the instrument using an Administrator account 26
Step 2. Add user accounts 27
Step 3. Log in to your personal user account 27
Customizing Instrument Settings 28
This chapter contains instructions for installing and setting up the AriaMx instrument.
13
Installing the AriaMx Instrument
Step 1. Select a location for the instrument
• Locate a solid, flat clean surface for the instrument. Make sure that:
• The instrument can stand completely stable.
• The rear air slots will not be covered.
• The instrument has at least 10 cm (approximately 4 inches) to the next wall or neighboring
instrument.
• The instrument is not located near anything that could be a source of vibrations.
• The temperature (normal ambient) is between 20°C and 30°C with humidity levels between
20% and 80% non-condensing.
• The atmosphere is not explosive.
Step 2. Unpack the shipping containers
NOTE
1 Open the small shipping container that holds the power cord. Remove the power cord and set
it aside for now.
2 Make sure that the large shipping container is in the upright position (Figure 1), then cut the
four plastic straps that hold the container together.
The AriaMx instrument is shipped in two separate containers. The small container holds the power cord. The large container holds the instrument and accessory tray.
Any optical modules that you ordered with the instrument are each packed and shipped separately in their own box.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 14
Figure 1 AriaMx instrument shipping container
3 Open the top flaps of the large container.
Inside the container is an accessory tray (see Figure 2), which contains the Certificate of
Conformance and the installation poster.
Figure 2 Opened shipping container with accessory tray sitting on top
4 Remove the accessory tray. Unpack the installation poster from the accessory tray and use it
to guide you through the remainder of the unpacking process.
5 Remove the foam support that sits on top of the instrument in the shipping container.
6 Grip a handle on each side of the shipping container and lift up to remove the box sleeve that
surrounds the instrument.
The instrument sits on the base of the shipping container, as shown in Figure 3.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 15
Figure 3 Instrument on shipping container base, with box sleeve removed
7 Remove the plastic wrapping from the instrument.
8 Lift the instrument off of the shipping container base and set it down on its selected location
(see “Step 1. Select a location for the instrument”).
Agilent recommends that two people lift the instrument together.
Step 3. Install the optical modules
1 Open the instrument door by lifting up on the handle on the top of the instrument. Lift the door
all the way up and back.
2 Remove the piece of foam and then remove the strip of cardboard from around the thermal
block assembly (see Figure 4). Remember to retain these pieces, along with all other packaging
materials, in the event that you need to ship the instrument for service.
The optical module housing carrier is positioned to the left of the thermal block assembly.
Figure 4 Foam insert (left) and underlying cardboard strip (right).
3 Slide the optical module housing carrier to the right until it is centered in the opening of the
instrument door (as shown in Figure 5). Use the indentation on the top of the carrier to help
slide it.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 16
Figure 5 Optical module housing carrier, centered in the instrument door opening
4 Open the lid on the optical module housing carrier.
a With your thumb and index finger, pinch together the two pieces of plastic in the indentation
on the top of the carrier (see Figure 6).
b Lift the lid all the way back to reveal the six slots for the optical modules (see Figure 7).
Figure 6 Opening of the optical module housing
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 17
Figure 7 Slots for the optical modules
5 Open the boxes containing the optical modules. Remove the top piece of foam from each box
(Figure 8) then remove the plastic bag containing the optical module.
Figure 8 Optical module shipping box – top piece of foam removed
6 Install the optical modules into the slots.
a Open the plastic bag and remove the optical module.
b Peel off the plastic film from the edge of the optical module (see Figure 9). Once the film is
removed, do not to touch the exposed edge.
c Put the optical module into an available slot in the optical module housing. The correct
orientation for the optical module is label side up with the Agilent spark closer to the front of
the instrument (see Figure 10).
NOTE
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 18
If you are installing fewer than six optical modules, one or more of the slots in the optical module housing will be empty. In such cases, make sure that the empty slots are on the left-most side of the housing.
Figure 9 Removal of plastic film from optical module
Figure 10 Installed optical modules
7 Lower the lid on the optical module housing until it clicks shut.
When you turn on the instrument for the first time, it will prompt you to calibrate the
background for the optical modules. Calibration is described in “Step 1. Turn on the instrument
and calibrate the background for the optical modules” on page 23.
Step 4. Clean the thermal block
With the instrument door still open, clean the outside and inside surfaces of the thermal block.
1 Lift the lid of the thermal block by pulling forward on the handle of the lid and then lifting the lid
up and away from the thermal block.
2 Using an aerosol can of compressed air, clean out the wells of the thermal block. Hold the can
3–4 inches away from the thermal block as you press the trigger.
3 Moisten a lint-free cleansing tissue with dH20, and gently wipe down the thermal block and the
underside of the lid. Then, close the lid of the thermal block and wipe down the top of the lid.
4 Close the instrument door.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 19
Step 5. Connect the instrument to a power supply
You must connect the instrument to a grounded AC outlet.
1 Plug the power cord into the power connector at the rear of the instrument.
See “Electrical” on page 9 for information on electrical safety precautions.
2 Connect the cable plug to the outlet.
Step 6. Connect a keyboard or mouse to the instrument (optional)
If desired, you can connect a keyboard or mouse to the instrument via the USB ports on the front
and back of the instrument.
• Plug the USB cable of the device into a USB port on the instrument.
Multimedia keyboards are not supported.
Step 7. Connect the instrument to a network or directly to a PC
Connecting your instrument to a PC, either directly or though a network, allows you to remotely
retrieve data from the instrument to your PC through the AriaMx PC software. If you do not
connect your instrument to a PC or network, you must transfer post-run experiment data by
copying it from the instrument to a USB drive (FAT format), and then from the USB drive to your
PC.
To connect the instrument to a network
1 Plug one end of an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the back of the instrument. Use a
standard Cat 6 straight/crossover ethernet cable.
2 Plug the other end of the cable into a network port.
To connect the instrument directly to a PC
1 Plug one end of an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the back of the instrument. Use a
standard Cat 6 straight/crossover ethernet cable.
2 Plug the other end of the cable into the PC.
3 After you turn on the AriaMx instrument, set a static IP address, subnet mask, and default
gateway on the instrument using the instructions below.
You will need to wait to complete these steps until after you complete “Step 1. Turn on the
instrument and calibrate the background for the optical modules” on page 23.
a On the Home screen of the AriaMx touchscreen, press Settings.
b Press Connection Settings. If you see an error message that no network connection is
detected, press OK to close the error message.
c On the Connection Settings screen, select Use Manual Configuration.
d In the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway fields, enter the values shown in
Figure 11. Press OK.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 20
Figure 11 Connection Settings
4 On the PC, set a static IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway using the instructions
below.
a Open the Control Panel to the Network and Sharing Center.
b Under View your active networks, click Local Area Connection (Figure 12). Note that the
appearance of the Network and Sharing Center screen may differ slightly from that shown
in Figure 12 depending on your current network setup.
Figure 12 Network and Sharing Center – View your active networks
The Local Area Connection Status dialog box opens.
c In the Local Area Connection Status dialog box, click Properties.
The Local Area Connection Properties dialog box opens
d In the list of items under This connection uses the following items, double-click Internet
Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) (Figure 13).
Figure 13 Local Area Connection Properties dialog box – Internet Protocol Version 4
The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties dialog box opens.
e On the General tab of the dialog box, select Use the following IP address and set the IP
address, subnet mask, and default gateway to the values shown in Figure 14. Click OK to
close the dialog box.
AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide 21
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