The World’s Fastest Real-Time PCR
Thermal Cycler
User Manual
This Manual Copyright © 2018 BJS Biotechnologies Ltd.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
xxpress, xxplates, xxsealer, and their respective logos are registered
trademarks of BJS Biotechnologies Ltd, or one of its affiliated companies
in the UK and other countries. All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, by any means or in any form, without the prior permission
of BJS Biotechnologies Ltd (BJS Bio).
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without
notice. BJS Bio assumes no responsibility for any errors that may
appear in this or related documentation.
Document: XP-5001-01-5
xxpress, xxplates, and xxsealer are the brand names for the BJS Bio.
range of PCR thermal cycler products and accessories. For further details
please visit our web site: www.xxpressPCR.com.
All sales and technical enquiries should be addressed to:
BJS Biotechnologies Ltd
65 Bideford Avenue
Perivale
Greenford
Middlesex
UB6 7PP
United Kingdom
+44 (0)203 021 3750
sales@xxpressPCR.com
support@xxpressPCR.com
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Contents
1 Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations ..................................................... 4
2 Symbols Used in this Instruction Manual ................................................ 5
3 Unit Description ....................................................................................... 6
4 Technical Specification ............................................................................ 9
5 Safety Precautions and Limitations of Use ............................................ 11
6 Unit Installation ...................................................................................... 15
7 Unit Operation ....................................................................................... 18
7.1 User Touch Screen Display and Controls ............................................. 18
7.2 Operation of the xxpress®NGx qPCR System ...................................... 18
7.2.1 Turning on xxpress®NGx........................................................... 18
7.2.2 Designing a New PCR Experiment ............................................ 20
7.2.3 Designing a New Melt-Curve Experiment .................................. 37
7.2.4 Running the Experiment ............................................................ 41
7.2.5 Experiment Results and Analysis .............................................. 43
7.2.6 Repeating Experiment and Reviewing Previous Results ........... 47
8 Maintenance and Servicing ................................................................... 50
8.1 Replacing the Unit Fuse ........................................................................ 50
8.2 Routine Cleaning and Inspection .......................................................... 51
8.3 Decontamination Procedure .................................................................. 52
8.4 Transportation and Storage ................................................................... 52
9 Warranty and Returns ........................................................................... 54
10 Product Disposal ................................................................................... 55
Tables
Table 1: Advisory Symbol Meanings ................................................................. 5
Table 2: Unit Features ....................................................................................... 7
Table 3: xxpress® NGxSample Plates and Accessories .................................. 8
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
1 Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
BJS Bio
BJS Biotechnologies Limited, UK Company
Number 02959160
Deepwell Plate
Plate with an SBS footprint featuring 48, 96 or
384 wells with a larger volume than microplates
DWP
Deepwell plate
EMC
Electro-Magnetic Compatibility
Microtitre Plate
Plate with an SBS footprint featuring 24, 48, 96
or 384 wells
MTP
Microtiter plate
PCR
Polymerase Chain Reaction
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
Real-Time PCR
Polymerase Chain Reaction where the result is
delivered throughout the PCR process by the
capturing of fluorescence emitted by the
reaction.
SBS
Society for Biomolecular Screening
Thermal Cycler
A machine that moves samples from one precise
temperature to another repeatedly
Well
A single sample cavity in a Microtiter plate, PCR
plate or Deepwell plate
xxplate™
BJS Bio PCR test plate for the xxpress®
NGxreal-time thermal cycler. Available in 24, 54,
and 96 well formats.
xxsealer SA
A semi-automatic heat sealer used to weld a
sealing film onto the top of xxplates™ and
prevent sample evaporation during the PCR.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
2 Symbols Used in this Instruction Manual
The following advisory symbols are used in this manual.
Table 1: Advisory Symbol Meanings
DANGER
Indicates a Risk of Electric Shock which could, if not
avoided, result in serve injury or death.
DANGER
Indicates a Burn Hazard which could, if not avoided,
result in serve injury or death.
DANGER
Indicates a Risk of Explosion which could, if not avoided,
result in serve injury or death.
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which could, if not
avoided, result in serve injury or death; or severely
damage the unit.
CAUTION
Indicates a hazardous situation which could, if not
avoided, result in minor or moderate injury; or degrade or
impair the functionality of the unit.
CAUTION
Indicates a Risk of Crush hazard due to moving parts
which could, if not avoided, result in minor or moderate
injury.
Advisory note or other useful information.
NN
Refer to “Section NN” for more details.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
3 Unit Description
The xxpress®NGx Real-Time Thermal Cycler provides a safe and
controlled method of heating and cooling samples placed within
xxplates™, whilst measuring the level of fluorescence emitted by the
samples.
xxpress®NGx has five fluorescence measurement channels that enable
fluorophores with a wide range of excitation and collection frequencies to
be detected.
To protect the samples from evaporation and contamination during the
heating and cooling of a PCR process, the xxplates™ are sealed using a
clear film.
The xxpress®NGx unit has the following external features:
5 3 4 2 1
6
8
7
9
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Table 2: Unit Features
1
xxpress®NGx Power On/Off Button
2 Front Door
3
Front Door Release Button
4 xxplate™ Location
5
xxpress®NGx Display and Touch Screen
6 Front USB Connector
7 Rear Cover
8
Air Intake Vents and Filters (under unit)
9
Power on LED
10
Emergency Release Button (ECR)
11
Battery Compartment for Emergency
Release Battery – (PP9)
12
DVI-D Connector for External Monitor
13
RJ45 Connector (Network)
14
Rear USB Connectors
15
Rear Label
16
Unit Air Expelling Fan
17
Mains Input Connector Fuse and Switch
12
14
13
10
11
17
15
16
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
The xxpress®NGx is designed to be used with a range of sample plates
and accessories – some of which are listed below:
Table 3: xxpress® NGx Sample Plates and Accessories
Picture
Description
24 well xxplate™ SBS
(sample volume 5-40 µL)
54 well xxplate™ SBS
(sample volume 5-15 µL)
96 well xxplate™ SBS
(sample volume 1-5 µL)
xxsealer SA (semi-automatic)
xxcentrifuge
Other specialist accessories may be available at request. Please contact
your distributor for details.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
4 Technical Specification
Model Type
Model Name
Model Numbers
xxpress®NGx Thermal Cycler
XP-1003-CC1 (220V-240V)
XP-1004-CC1 (100V-120V)
Physical Unit Properties
Dimensions (W x D x H)
Weight
300 mm x 520 mm x 315 mm
35 kg
Mains Supply
Power Cord Rating
Inlet Module Type
Supply Voltage
Supply Frequency Range
Power Consumption
Fuse Ratings and Sizes
Mains Supply capability
IEC C13, 3-Core, 10A min
Only use an appropriately rated and
approved supply cordset in accordance
with the regulations of the country in
which the equipment is put into service
IEC C14, DPST, Single Fuse
100V-120V AC (XP-1002-01)
220V-240V AC (XP-1001-01)
50Hz/60Hz
1000W max
T8A/250V HRC 20x5mm
The power for this unit must come from
a stable mains supply. Do not power
from inverters, frequency convertors, or
generators.
(See Section 5 for further details)
Operating Environment
Temperature Range
Relative Humidity Range
Maximum Operating Altitude
+18 to +30 C
(Ambient temperatures above 25C
can reduce the rate of cooling)
20% to 80% non-condensing
2000m above sea-level
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Storage and Transportation
Temperature Range
Relative Humidity Range
PCR Performance
Thermal Ramp Rate
Thermal Uniformity
(Steady state)
Fluorescence Detection
-10 to +50 C
20% to 95% non-condensing
Maximum Ramp Rate 10C per second
Adjustable from 0.1C to 10C per
second in 0.1C steps
±0.3C well to well across the test plate
Uniformity achieved after 0.5 seconds
5 Channel Fluorescence Detection
LED illumination
CCD image capture
Detection Channels and Frequencies
Channel
Excitation (nm)
Emission (nm)
Common Dyes
Channel 1 Green
460-488
507-527
FAM, SYBR Green
Channel 2 Yellow
524-546
567-583
JOE, HEX, TAM,
VIC
Channel 3 Orange
567-589
617-633
ROX, Texas Red
Channel 4 Red
626-644
667-679
Cy5
Channel 5 Deep
Red
656-668
698-724
Cy5.5
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
5 Safety Precautions and Limitations of Use
It is essential that all users of this equipment have fully read and
understood the following safety precautions and limitations of use before
installing or operating the xxpress®NGx unit.
IMPORTANT
WARNING
The protection provided by this equipment may be impaired if
it is not used in a manner described in this manual.
WARNING
It is essential that the user of this equipment is aware of the
potential hazards associated with the unit and its accessories.
All operators should be familiar with the safety precautions and
warnings given in these instructions before attempting to
operate the unit.
Improper use of this unit or its accessories may impair their
functionality and invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty.
Unit Handling Precautions
CAUTION
Care should be taken not to drop the unit or subject it to rough
physical handling, both during normal use and during
transportation and storage.
WARNING
The unit should be supported using the base of the unit when
being lifted or moved. Do not lift the unit by any other part of
the casework.
Care should be taken when lifting the unit due to its weight.
CAUTION
Care should be taken not to knock the LCD display.
Do not use excessive force when touching the touch screen or
operating the buttons.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Unit Installation and Operating Environment
DANGER
WARNING
The xxpress®NGx unit is designed for indoor laboratory use
only.
The acceptable operating temperature range is 18ºC to 30ºC,
with a relative humidity of 20% to 80% non-condensing, at a
maximum altitude of 2000m above sea level.
If the unit is stored in conditions outside of these ranges, it
must be left to stand unpowered until it has acclimatised to
within these environmental limits before being powered.
DANGER
Use an appropriately rated and approved cordset as detailed
in Section 4.
The unit must be connected to a suitably earthed mains
supply, with appropriate earth-leakage and over-current
protection.
WARNING
Always ensure that the mains power connector is securely
inserted into the rear of the unit, and any excess power cord
does not pose a potential trip or pull hazard.
Always ensure that the mains plug is easily accessible to allow
disconnection from the supply.
WARNING
The power for this unit must come from a stable mains supply.
Do not power from inverters, frequency convertors, or
generators.
This unit requires a power supply with both a stable voltage
and stable frequency. Inverters, frequency convertors, and
generators do not provide acceptable stability and the unit can
perform outside its specification, or fail to perform, or be
damaged by the use of these forms of power supply.
DANGER
Do not operate the unit in any area which is, or has been, or is
thought to have been exposed to explosive or flammable
gases, vapours or liquids.
WARNING
The unit must be installed and operated on a solid, stable and
level working surface; ensuring that the ventilation holes under
the unit and at the rear of the unit are not obstructed.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
General Operating Precautions
DANGER
Ensure that the power is switched off at both the AC mains
supply outlet and at the back of the unit before inserting or
removing the mains power cord.
DANGER
The xxplate™ can reach temperatures of over 100°C and can
remain hot for a time after the xxpress® NGx system is turned
off.
If conditions are set such that the experiment is finished with
the plate at a high temperature it will exit the unit with the
potential to burn the operator and care should be taken.
DANGER
The unit is intended for use with plates containing biological
samples only.
Never use the unit to process any explosive, volatile or highly
reactive substances or chemicals.
CAUTION
There is a possible finger crush hazard due to the moving
parts of the door. Care should be taken when closing the door.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Unit Maintenance and Serviceability
DANGER
WARNING
There are no user or operator serviceable parts inside the unit.
Do not remove the unit casework.
Removal of the unit's casework will void the manufacturer’s
warranty and may expose the user to a Risk of Electric Shock
resulting in serious injury or death.
DANGER
Once installed, the externally accessible unit fuse will only
blow under a fault condition. This fuse should only be changed
after the unit has been thoroughly inspected by a qualified
engineer. See Section 8.1 for details.
DANGER
Always switch off the unit and disconnect the power cord
before performing any cleaning or decontamination procedure.
If liquid is spilt into or over the unit, switch off and disconnect
the power from the AC mains outlet before attempting to deal
with the spillage.
CAUTION
Ensure that the xxpress®NGxunit has cooled down to room
temperature before performing any cleaning operation and
before moving or storing the unit.
CAUTION
The use of harsh chemicals and cleaning agents may damage
the unit and degrade its performance.
Always follow the cleaning and decontamination procedures
specified in Sections 8.2 and 8.3 of this instruction manual.
CAUTION
Do not autoclave any part of the unit or its accessories.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
6 Unit Installation
Before installing the xxpress®NGx unit, please check that the delivery is
complete and that the unit and any accessory parts are intact and free
from any signs of transportation damage. Also ensure that all external and
internal packaging has been removed from the unit before installation.
Please retain all packaging for future transportation and
storage of the system.
The xxpress®NGx unit should be installed in a location which meets the
following requirements:
• Safe and suitable operating environment (see Section 5)
• Solid, stable, level working surface
• At least 10cm clearance around the unit to adjacent objects and
walls
• Earthed AC mains power connection (see Section 4)
WARNING
Please also observe and abide by the Unit Installation and
Operating Environment safety precautions and preconditions
listed in Section 5.
WARNING
The power for this unit must come from a stable mains supply
that matches the specification on the back panel of the unit.
Do not power from inverters, frequency convertors, or
generators (see Section 5).
WARNING
Ensure that the correct fuse type has been fitted in the mains
inlet fuse holder as detailed on the back of the unit.
See Section 4 for details.
WARNING
If the unit has been stored in a cool environment, it must be
left to stand unplugged until it has acclimatised to the new
room temperature before being powered.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Install and test the xxpress®NGx unit using the following procedure:
1) Place the unit on the suitably selected working surface (as
specified above), ensuring that the ventilation holes
underneath and on the rear of the unit are not obstructed.
2) Open the battery compartment and insert the 9 V battery as
shown below. Close the battery compartment.
3) Connect the unit to the AC mains power outlet using an
appropriately rated and approved cordset as detailed in
Section 4.
4) Switch the mains power on at the supply outlet. Then switch
the unit on using the power switch located at the rear of the
unit.
5) Press the blue xxpress®NGx Power On/Off button, located on
the front of the unit and wait whilst it starts up. This can take
30 seconds as the unit initialises. The system will then run a
self-test (see Quick Start Sheet for details).
Insert 9Volt Battery
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
6) Start-up is complete when the LOGON screen is shown, see
below.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
7 Unit Operation
WARNING
Please ensure that you have read and fully understood all the
Safety Precautions and Limitations of Use listed in Section
5 before attempting to operate the xxpress®NGx unit.
7.1 User Touch Screen Display and Controls
The xxpress®NGx user interface consists of a large, high definition,
colour LCD display. It has an integrated touch screen that supports
standard PC multi-finger gestures such as scrolling. The touch screen is
designed to operate when wearing standard, clean, solvent-free
laboratory gloves.
The unit is controlled through an application that runs on the
xxpress®NGx. It has been designed to match experimental procedures
used by Biotechnologists, making it intuitive and easy to use.
The xxpress®NGx software and user instructions will be regularly
updated. You can find details of the latest version from your distributor or
at www.xxpressPCR.com.
7.2 Operation of the xxpress®NGx qPCR System
7.2.1 Turning on xxpress®NGx
• Before connecting xxpress®NGx to the mains electrical connection,
make sure that the voltage and frequency detailed on the rear label
of the unit (see table 2) matches the voltage supply.
• Connect the supply using an appropriately rated and approved
cordset as detailed in Section 4. Turn on the power on at the wall,
then turn on the power input switch on the mains input connector
(see table 2).
• The unit is now powered and the rear fan may begin to operate
depending on the temperature of the unit and the environment.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• To wake-up the xxpress®NGx, press the blue Power On/Off Button
on the front panel once. The xxpress®NGx will wake up, run a selftest and initialise its system. Figure 1 is the HOME screen. Once this
screen is visible the xxpress®NGx is ready to use. You can always
return to this screen by touching the logo in the bottom left
corner of the screen.
• From the HOME screen it is possible to create new experiments, run
previously designed experiments, and analyse the results of
previously run experiments. For each of the operations the
xxpress®NGx will guide the user through the steps required.
Figure 1
• To check the software version running on the xxpress®NGx, go to
the HOME screen and touch the xxpress®NGx logo in the bottom left
corner of the screen. A pop-up window will appear listing the version
and the software licence terms. See Figure 2.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 2
Close the screen by touching the symbol in the top right corner of the
pop-up window.
The following sections of this manual will guide the user through the
regular operations that can be completed using xxpress®NGx.
7.2.2 Designing a New PCR Experiment
• To create a new test method or experiment touch the DESIGN
EXPERIMENT tile on the screen (the xxpress
®
NGx is fitted with a
touch screen which is sensitive and doesn’t need significant force to
operate).
• The next screen asks for the type of PCR experiment you wish to
perform. Touch the desired experiment type, it will become
highlighted as shown in Figure 3. The selection can by altered by
touching a new PCR type.
• Once the desired experiment type has been chosen, touch the arrow
symbol at the bottom right of the screen to proceed to the next
screen.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
(Choosing the PCR type enables the xxpress®NGx to structure the
starting thermal cycling profile shown in later screens to match the
experimental need).
Figure 3
• In this example, we have selected a 3-Step Real-Time PCR.
• You will notice that there is a navigation bar running along the
bottom of the screen. The highlighted cyan text indicates the current
stage.
• Touching the arrow advances the user to the next stage (Figure 4),
where details of the chemistry type used in the experiment are
chosen.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 4
• Touch to select whether PROBE or SYBR GREEN based chemistry is
being used. This information enables the xxpress®NGx to preselect
the camera sensitivity.
Figure 4a
• In Figure 4a SYBR GREEN has been selected.
• This brings up a list of some kit manufacturers that have been tested
by BJS Bio. Touch to select which kit manufacturer is being used.
This brings up a list of their products, touch to select which product
is being used. This information is used to programme the thermal
profile with a suggested set of parameters.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
As the xxpress®NGx is much faster than traditional thermal cyclers,
the BJS Biotechnologies team have developed optimised profiles for
running PCR assays at ultra-fast speeds. The figures are only a
starting point and all the parameters are adjustable in later screens.
• If the user wishes to use a product that isn’t listed, chose a similar
product as a starting point and edit the thermal parameters at a later
stage.
With subsequent software releases, BJS Bio will add new chemistry
options. Between releases, application notes for other chemistries
can be found on the xxpress®NGx website, www.xxpressPCR.com.
If a user wants advice on the thermal profile for a specific chemistry,
please contact support@xxpressPCR.com.
• Once the supplier and type of chemistry is selected (Figure 4b), the
user proceeds to the next screen by touching the arrow at the
bottom right of the screen as before.
Figure 4b
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• The next screen controls the thermal profile required for the
experiment, see Figure 5. From the information already input into
xxpress®NGx, the system automatically completes this screen with
the correct experiment structure and suggested starting values.
Figure 5
• Looking at our example 3-Step PCR, we chose a SYBR Green
based test and Kapa SYBR 2G Fast Hot Start chemistry. In Figure
5 the thermal profile reflects this with an initial hot start at 95°C for
20 seconds followed by a 3-Step cycle which is repeated 40 times.
Finally, there is a cooling step to bring the plate down to ambient
temperature enabling safe removal from the unit.
• Touching each part of the profile will produce a pop-up window
allowing the parameters to be modified, see Figure 5a. Here we
touched the Cycle 1 section.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 5a
• Select the parameter to be changed. In figure 5a we have selected
the dwell time on step 1 of the PCR cycle. On selecting, the
parameter becomes highlighted. Type in the desired value using the
keyboard on the right of the display.
Once the user is happy with their changes they can save them by
touching the tick symbol. Or if the user wishes to cancel and
lose their changes, touch the cross.
• In the example in Figure 5a there are 3 steps to the PCR. In step 1
the temperature is raised to 95°C using a ramp rate of 10°C per
second. This temperature is then held for 1 second.
• In the second step, the temperature is reduced to 60°C, using a
ramp rate of 8°C per second. Once the temperature is at 60°C, this
is held for 5 seconds.
• In the third step, the temperature is increased to 72°C, using a ramp
rate of 10°C per second. Once the temperature is at 72°C this is
held for 5 seconds. At the end of this dwell there is a fluorescence
measurement made using the channel 1 filter settings.
• The temperatures for each step can be changed to any value
between 40°C and 99°C in 0.1°C steps.
• The thermal ramp rate can be specified for each step independently
or set as a GLOBAL RAMP rate using the tile on the right of the pop-
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
up screen. This value can be set from zero to 10°C per second in
0.1°C steps.
• The number of times the cycle should be run is set using the REPEAT
tile. In Figure 5a the 3-step cycle is repeated forty times.
• Touch the tick to accept these conditions or the cross to
cancel any changes made.
• For experiments where multiple cycles are required these can be
added by touching the “plus” symbol and editing them in the
same manner. Unwanted steps can be deleted using the
“minus” symbol.
• The final segment sees the temperature being reduced to 50°C and
held for 10 seconds. This is done to cool the plate enough to touch
when removed from the xxpress®NGx.
• Based on the chemistry selection, xxpress®NGx will select a
recommended sensitivity for the camera that measures the
fluorescence, this is a combination of gain and exposure time.
Touching the blue CAMERA tile will pop-up a window that will allow
the sensitivity of the measurements in each of the five fluorescence
channels to be individually adjusted, see Figure 5b.
• To adjust touch the circle and then drag it to the position along the
line that gives the desired value. The value range is from zero to
100 (to drag the circle maintain finger contact with the touch screen).
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 5b
• Touch the tick or cross to accept or cancel the changes
respectively.
• At this stage if a Melt Curve is to be run as part of the experiment it
can be added as an additional ‘cycle’. It will then be run immediately
after the PCR, see Figure 5c. BJS recommend this approach, see
section 0 for ‘how to set-up a melt’.
Figure 5c
• Touch the plus symbol to add the extra cycle, see Figure 5c
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 5d
• Touch the MELT tile to add a Melt Curve cycle to the experiment,
see Figure 5d.
• The Melt cycle is then added to the list of cycles and can be edited
by touching. See section 0 for how to set-up a Melt.
Figure 5d
• Once all the parameters have been set, touch the forward arrow on
the bottom right of the screen to advance to the Tray Selection.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 6
• Chose the desired xxplate™ SBS size by touching it. The xxpress®
NGx has three xxplate™ sizes: 24 well, 54 well, and 96 well. See
Table 3 for the reaction volumes they can accept.
• Touch the forward arrow at the bottom right of the once the selection
is correct. The xxpress®NGx will recognise the xxplate™SBS size
and check it matches this selection.
Figure 7
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• The next set-up screen, seen in figure 7, shows the chosen
xxplate™ SBS well layout.
• This is an optional page in which the wells can be labelled with
information to help with the results analysis. To edit a group of wells,
touch to select them, see Figure 7a. Touching them again will deselect them, alternatively you can touch DESELECT ALL to clear the
complete selection.
Figure 7a
• With the required wells highlighted touch EDIT and a pop-up window
will appear, see Figure 7b.
Figure 7b
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• In the screen that pops up the type of sample that is to be put in the
selected wells can be chosen.
▪ SAMPLE refers to the Sample to be tested.
▪ NTC to a No Template Control sample.
▪ REFERENCE GENE a sample of known response for
comparison.
▪ STANDARD CURVE where that process is being completed
• You can also choose the display colours for the amplification and
melt graphs. The xxpress®NGx will suggest a colour but this can be
changed. Touch the coloured rectangle and a pop-up window will
appear as shown in Figure 7c. Now touch the desired colour to
select it.
Figure 7c
• The samples can also be individually named. Touching the white tile
will bring up a touchscreen keyboard so you can type a name for the
sample type, see Figure 7d. Close the keyboard by pressing the X
in the top right-hand corner, pressing enter, or touching the screen
at a site other from the keyboard.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 7d
• Touch the tick will accept the information. The process can be
repeated as necessary to label other wells on the plate.
• You can clear the well selection or even reset the plate completely
using the tiles on the right.
Figure 7e
• To make the selection of smaller wells easier, i.e. when using a 54
well xxplate™ or 96 well xxplate™, use two fingers to zoom into the
plate area and pan around it. Move fingers in the direction of the
blue arrows to zoom in (as shown in Figure 7e), pinch together to
zoom out, or drag a finger across the screen to pan. These
movements also work on the graph screens.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• The cell references on the edge of the window make it clear which
wells are being viewed, see Figure 7f.
Figure 7f
• Once all the information is entered as shown in Figure 7f, touch the
forward arrow at the bottom right of the screen to move to the review
screen.
Figure 8
• Figure 8 shows the review screen. This gives the user the
opportunity to review the experiment set-up prior to running it. If
anything needs editing, touch the blue navigation bar on the bottom
on the screen. This will take the user back to the desired page.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• Once the user is happy that the experiment is correctly set-up, place
the prepared, sealed, centrifuged xxplate™ SBS (see Section 7.2.4)
into the xxpress®NGx. To do this press the Front Door Release
Button (See table 2).
• Place the prepared xxplate™ onto the slides ensuring that it
correctly located so the slides engage into all three holes on either
side of the xxplate™, see Figure 8a.
• NEVER PUT A XXPLATE™ IN THE XXPRESS®NGx SYSTEM
WITHOUT IT BEING HEAT SEALED. Only heat seal the
xxplates™ SBS with the recommended heat sealing film.
• NEVER PUT A LABEL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE XXPLATE™.
Keep the bottom “black” surface of the xxplate™ clean and as
the unit measures the temperature of the samples using the
radiation emitted from this surface.
• NEVER WRITE ON THE PLASTIC WELLS OF THE XXPLATE™.
The xxpress®NGx needs to be able to recognise the well
boundaries. Labelling can be done using the plate layout
section of the user interface or written in marker pen on the
non-corrugated aluminium of the xxplate™.
Figure 8a
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• Once the xxplate™SBS is correctly inserted, push the door closed.
• Touch the forward arrow on the bottom right of the screen to start
the experiment.
Figure 9
• Once the experiment is initiated the xxpress®NGx performs several
checks on the plate. There will then be a short whirring sound as the
clamps lower onto the plate before it starts the heat cycling.
• As the cycles complete the fluorescence measurements will appear
on the graph. The graph data can be adjusted using the filters on
the right. Touch the tiles to toggle the filters on and off.
▪ BASELINE SUBTRACT uses the fluorescence readings of the
first 5 cycles to set the initial trace level to zero. This makes it
easier to compare multiple traces.
▪ SMOOTH creates a best fit curve to the data.
▪ COLOUR COMPENSATION is used for multiplex experiments. It
reduces the effects of cross-talk (interference) from adjacent
channels. It is not required for a single channel experiment.
• Once all the thermal cycles have finished the xxpress®NGx will
display a message confirming that the ‘experiment is complete’, see
Figure 9a. Touch the tick to accept this. The results are saved
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
automatically and can now be analysed and/or exported (see
Section 7.2.5).
Figure 9a
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
7.2.3 Designing a New Melt-Curve Experiment
• Creating a Melt-Curve Experiment is very similar to creating the
PCR Experiment. Select MELT from the PCR menu, see Figure 10.
Figure 10
• Touch the arrow at the bottom right corner to advance to the
Chemistry screen.
Figure 11
• The Chemistry screen is simpler. Only the signalling type needs to
be defined to allow xxpress®NGx to set the sensitivity of the
camera, see Figure 11.
• Advance to the Thermal Profile screen using the arrow.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 12
• In the Thermal Profile screen, see figure 12, the ‘cycles’ section
shows the temperature range for the melt. The user can adjust this
and the number of measurements taken per degree.
Figure 12a
• The example in Figure 12a above shows a Melt that will hold at 40°C
for 5 seconds before raising the temperature from 40°C to 95°C
taking 1 measurement per degree celcius.
• The more measurements per degree, the greater the resolution on
the melt temperatures and the longer the experiment will take.
• Advance to the Tray Selection screen using the arrow.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• Select the type of xxplate™ SBS to be used, see Figure 13.
Figure 13
• Advance to the Plate Layout screen using the arrow.
Figure 14
• This is an optional page. A plate layout can be created as shown
earlier, or alternatively it can be recalled from the memory. Touch
the tile LOAD PLATE LAYOUT to select a previously created plate
layout. This is shown in Figure 14.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• Touch the desired layout and then accept the selection by touching
the tick, see Figure 14a.
Figure 14a
• Advance to the ‘Confirm and Run’ screen using the arrow.
Figure 14b
• Figure 14b shows the confirmation screen that gives the user the
opportunity to review their experiment prior to running it. If anything
needs editing then touching the blue navigation bar on the bottom
to return to earlier screens.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• Once the user is happy that the melt is correctly set-up they can
insert the prepared xxplate™SBS (see Section 7.2.4). To do this
touch the Front Door Release Button (See table 2) to open the
loading door.
• Place the prepared xxplate™ onto the slides ensuring that the slides
engage into all three holes on either side of the xxplate™SBS.
• Close the door by pushing the front of it until it latches shut.
• Touch the forward arrow on the bottom right of the screen to start
the experiment.
• There are many other types of experiments that can be created on
the xxpress®NGx unit, however they all follow the same format and
at each stage all the parameters are available to edit.
7.2.4 Running the Experiment
• Before running an experiment, the sample xxplate™ needs to be
prepared. All xxplates™ are required to have a heat sealed film
applied to them. This seals the contents and prevents evaporation
during the experiment. Details of how to seal the xxplates™ can be
found in the xxsealer SA manual.
• NEVER PUT A XXPLATE™SBS IN THE XXPRESS®NGx SYSTEM
WITHOUT IT BEING HEAT SEALED. Only heat seal the
xxplates™SBS with the recommended heat sealing film.
• NEVER PUT A LABEL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE
XXPLATE™SBS. Keep the bottom “black” surface of the
xxplate™ SBS clean and as the unit measures the temperature
of the samples using the radiation emitted from this surface.
• NEVER WRITE ON THE PLASTIC WELLS OF THE
XXPLATE™SBS . The xxpress®NGx needs to be able to
recognise the well boundaries. Labelling can be done using the
plate layout section of the user interface or written in marker
pen on the non-corrugated aluminium of the xxplate™.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• To place the prepared and sealed xxplate™SBS into the
xxpress®NGx, touch the Front Door Release Button (See table 2)
to open the loading door.
Figure 15
• Place the xxplate™SBS onto the slides ensuring that the slides
engage into all three holes on either side of the xxplate™SBS, see
Figure 15.
• When correctly located close the door by pushing on the front of it
until it latches shut.
• Once the experiment has been started by touching the forward
arrow on the RUN screen, the xxpress®NGx will run a number of
checks on the plate. These are listed in an information pop-up
window on the display. These include the recognition of the plate to
make sure it is the right size and in the correct position. The
recognition of the plate also enables accurate fluorescence
measurement.
• The unit also clamps the plate in-situ so that it can control the
heating and cooling precisely. The clamping of the plate can be
recognised by the whirring of the motors that drive the clamps. Once
all the checks are done the experiment will start and a results screen
will be presented.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
• During operation, it is normal to hear a short hum during each cycle.
This is caused by the pressurised air pumps used to cool the
xxplate™.
• Once the experiment is complete the clamps will release and an
information window will pop up to confirm this.
Figure 16a
7.2.5 Experiment Results and Analysis
• At the end of an experiment the results are displayed as shown in
Figure 17. Depending on the type of experiment different
parameters are shown. For a PCR run the Cq value is calculated
whereas for a MELT the Tm value is calculated.
• The results graph has several options for displaying the results. The
curves can be smoothed or just show the raw data. Similarly, the
data can be shown with the background fluorescence removed
(BASELINE SUBTRACT) or not. Touch the tiles on the right to toggle
these filters on and off.
• The PCR or MELT and ANALYSIS tab tiles on the top left of the screen
change the view from the graph to a results template.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 17
• The Cq is automatically calculated and shown in for each well in the
ANALYSIS tab, see Figure 17a. The threshold for the Cq
measurements is also calculated and is shown in a blue box on the
PCR tab. This can be manually adjusted by sliding the red circle up
or down. This will result in the Cq values in the ANALYSIS tab being
updated.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 17a
• In the melt section, you have the option to differentiate the graph.
This helps identify the Tm more easily. Figure 17b shows an
example of a Melt in it standard form.
Figure 17b
• Touching the DIFFERENTIATE tile on the right will give a display like
the one shown in Figure 17c.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 17c
• Results can be exported in an RDML or .csv format ready for further
analysis. Select the blue EXPORT tile to do this. Note, if the
smoothing filter or background filter is active when the data is
exported the values will include this filtering.
• Select the data to be exported and the export format using the
screen shown in Figure 17d.
Figure 17d
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Note:
The RDML export format can be used to directly transfer
information from xxpress®NGx to the BioGazelle PCR analysis
program, qBase+. Contact your distributor for more information on
qBase+ or go to the BioGazelle web-site, www.biogazelle.com
Figure 17e
• For Multiplex experiments, where data is gathered on more than one
fluorescence channel, the data can be viewed using the coloured
channel tiles at the bottom of the screen, see Figure 17e.
• Where there may be cross talk between adjacent fluorescence
channels touching the COLOUR COMPENSATE tile activates the filter
and will enhance the results.
7.2.6 Repeating Experiment and Reviewing Previous Results
• Repeating a previously run experiment is straightforward on the
xxpress®NGx . Once an experiment has been run it appears in the
‘History’ tab and can be selected to re-run at any time. From the
Home screen touch the HISTORY tile, see Figure 18.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 18
• Then chose the previous experiment that is to be repeated from the
pop-up selection box. Touch the to confirm your selection and
open the file. The experiment will open at the ‘Confirm and Run’
screen, see Figure 18a.
Figure 18a
• Touching the menu along the bottom of the screen enables the
selection of any of the experiment set up screens. These can be
edited as required for the new experiment; any changes made will
not affect the original experiment. Once all the parameters are as
required and the xxplate™ has been put into xxpress®NGx , start
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
the experiment by touching the arrow on the bottom right of the
screen.
• This method of editing and re-running a previous experiment is a
quick way of creating new experiments which are similar to ones
previously run.
Figure 18b
• All the results from the experiments that have been completed are
stored on the xxpress®NGx. These can be reviewed at any time.
To review the results of a completed experiment, touch the
ANALYSIS tile on the Home screen, see Figure 18.
• Then chose the experiment of interest from the pop-up window, see
Figure 18b. Touch the to open the results file.
• It is also possible to import previously export data using this menu
using the LOAD FROM CSV tile.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
8 Maintenance and Servicing
Although the xxpress®NGx unit does not require any scheduled
maintenance or servicing, the operator should regularly clean and inspect
the unit for any defects, as described in Section 8.2 below.
DANGER
WARNING
Please observe and comply with all of the Unit
Maintenance and Serviceability precautions listed in
Section 8.
Never removed the unit casework. There are no user or
operator serviceable parts inside the unit.
Always switch off and unplug the unit before performing
any cleaning or disinfecting tasks.
For technical and service related enquiries, please contact your distributor
or BJS Bio at the address given on Page 2 of this manual.
8.1 Replacing the Unit Fuse
The unit fuse should only be replaced by a suitably qualified technician.
DANGER
The unit fuse will only blow as a result of an internal unit fault
or if the voltage selector switch has been incorrectly set (see
Section 5). This fuse should only be changed after the unit has
been thoroughly inspected, and must be replaced with the
exact type specified in Section 4.
Thoroughly inspect the unit for any signs of damage, loose components
or liquid spillage or ingress. If in doubt, please contact BJS Bio on the
number given on Page 2 of this manual.
DANGER
The fuse holder is removed by disconnecting the mains cord
and then using a small flat bladed screwdriver to carefully pull
open the fuse holder (see Figure 19) and remove the old fuse.
After replacing the fuse with the correct rated one for the
operating voltage being used (Section 4), push the fuse holder
firmly back into the inlet module.
The unit must be electrically safety tested for excess leakage
current before being repowered from the mains supply.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Figure 19
1. Remove the AC plug from
the power inlet module
2. Use a small flat bladed
screwdriver to carefully
pull out the fuse holder
3. Fit the correct fuse in the
far position only
4. Push the holder back into
the inlet mode
8.2 Routine Cleaning and Inspection
The unit casework should be cleaned and inspected at regulator internals,
and whenever contamination or spillage occurs, as follows:
1. Switch off the unit and disconnect the power before performing
any inspection checks or cleaning.
2. Before cleaning, always inspect the unit casework, heater plate
and moving parts for any signs of wear, damage, cracks or other
defects.
3. Clean the casework using a damp cloth soaked with a
disinfectant solution (such as Virkon), whilst wearing suitable
PPE.
4. Remove any debris or fluff from around or between the moving
parts of the door mechanism and sliding plate carrier.
5. Clean the display and buttons, taking care to avoid over wetting.
6. Check that the ventilation holes underneath and on the rear of
the unit are clear of dust and fluff build-up. Replace the air filter
as necessary.
DANGER
After cleaning, ensure that the unit is thoroughly dry, especially
around the mains power inlet, before reconnecting the power
cord and switching the unit on.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
8.3 Decontamination Procedure
The unit and accessories should be decontaminated using the following
procedure before being stored or transported.
Decontamination Procedure
Thoroughly clean all outside surfaces of the product (including any
accessories, power cords, manuals, packaging, etc) with a damp
cloth soaked with suitable disinfectant solution (such as Virkon).
8.4 Transportation and Storage
The xxpress®NGx unit and its accessories should be thoroughly
decontaminated using the procedure detailed in Section 8.3 before being
placed in its original packaging for transportation or storage.
WARNING
Refer to Section 4 for the acceptable range of Storage and
Transportation environmental conditions.
Always ensure that the unit and accessories are completely
dry and free of any condensation before being packed.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
Certificate of Decontamination
We respect the health and safety of our clients and employees, and
request that any products or accessories being returned are
decontaminated in accordance with the procedure below.
1. Decontamination Procedure
Thoroughly clean all outside surfaces of the product (including any
accessories, power cords, manuals, packaging, etc) with a damp cloth
soaked with suitable disinfectant solution (such as Virkon).
Allow to dry fully before packing.
2. Decontamination Declaration
Company Name:
Address:
Product Code:
Serial Number:
Reason For Return:
Where Product Used:
Please tick the appropriate option(s) below:
I certify that I have decontaminated the product as per the above procedure.
Decontaminant Used:
I certify that the product has not been exposed to any chemical or biological
materials.
Title:
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Telephone:
Email:
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
9 Warranty and Returns
BJS Biotechnologies Ltd. warrants the xxpress®NGx product, when
purchased new and installed and operated in accordance with the
instructions of this manual, to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship, and will repair or replace, at their discretion, any unit or
accessory which exhibits such defects.
In no event will BJS Biotechnologies be liable for any indirect, incidental
or consequential damages resulting from any defect or warranty claim.
NOTE
Unspecified use or unauthorised modification of any part of the
xxpress®NGx unit or its accessories or the use or attachment of any
adaptor or peripheral not supplied, specified or sanctioned by BJS
Biotechnologies will invalidate this warranty.
This warranty is provided to the original purchaser of the product for one
year from the date of purchase.
Under the terms of this warranty, the product must be returned in its
original packaging, transportation prepaid by the sender, with a copy of
the Proof of Purchase and a detailed description of the problem.
WARNING
The product must be decontaminated using the procedure
detailed in Section 8.3 and a Certificate of Decontamination
supplied with any return. If the product is considered too
hazardous to be shipped, please contact BJS Biotechnologies
on the number given on Page 2 of this manual for further
instructions.
Please contact your distributor (or BJS Bio on the number given on Page
2 of this manual) to assess the defect and arrange the return the product
if necessary.
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XXPRESS® NGX USER MANUAL – XP-5001-01-5
10 Product Disposal
At end-of-life, this product must be disposed of in accordance with your
local authority regulations for the disposal of potentially hazardous waste
and electronic equipment.
The unit and its accessories should be decontaminated using the
procedure detailed in Section 8.3 before disposal or shipping.
Do not dispose of this product into unsorted municipal waste
or public landfill.
Please contact your distributor (or BJS Bio at the address on Page 2 of
this manual) for details of how to correctly dispose of this product.
BJS Biotechnologies Ltd
65 Bideford Avenue
Perivale
Greenford
Middlesex
UB6 7PP
United Kingdom
www.xxpressPCR.com
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