Thermo Scientific Pierce G2 User Manual

Thermo Scientific Pierce

User Manual

G2 Fast Blotter

Version 1

May 2013

© 2013 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and its subsidiaries. Specifications, terms and pricing are subject
to change. Not all products are available in all countries. Please consult your local sales
representative for details.

Thermo Scie ntific

Contents

Section 1 ....................................................................................................................... 5

Overview ....................................................................................................................... 5

Contacting Thermo Fisher Scientific ............................................................................................ 5

Instrument Overview .................................................................................................................... 7

Unpacking and Setup Instructions ...................................................................................... 7

User Interface ..................................................................................................................... 7

Section 2 ....................................................................................................................... 9

Instrument ..................................................................................................................... 9

Installation Guidelines .................................................................................................................. 9

Space Requirements .......................................................................................................... 9

Electrical Requirements ................................................................................................... 10

Environmental Requirements ........................................................................................... 11

Blotter Images with Feature Locations ............................................................................. 12

Start Up ............................................................................................................................ 14

Shut Down ........................................................................................................................ 14

Section 3 ..................................................................................................................... 15

Pre-Programmed Transfer Methods.......................................................................... 15

Fast Blotting: Constant Amps/Surface Area .............................................................................. 15

Pierce 1-Step Transfer Buffer .................................................................................................... 17

Traditional Semi-Dry Transfer Method ....................................................................................... 20

Section 4 ..................................................................................................................... 23

Custom Methods ........................................................................................................ 23

Modifying Pre-Programmed Methods ........................................................................................ 23

Creating a New Custom Method ................................................................................................ 25

Recommended Maximum Watts/Hour Limit .............................................................................. 27

Section 5 ..................................................................................................................... 28

Maintenance ................................................................................................................ 28

Cleaning the Blotter LCD Touchscreen ..................................................................................... 28

Cleaning the Blotter Housing and the Cassette ......................................................................... 28

Cleaning the Anode and Cathode Plates ................................................................................... 29

Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................................... 30

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1

SECTION 1

Overview

The Thermo Scientific™ Pierce™ G2 Fast Blotter is designed for rapid semi-dry transfer of
proteins from polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose or PVDF membranes. Traditional Western
blotting techniques require a transfer of one hour to overnight to achieve good transfer
efficiency. When used in conjunction with Thermo Scientific™ Pierce™ 1-Step Transfer Buffer,
the Pierce G2 Fast Blotter is designed to provide transfer efficiency in 5-10 minutes that is
equivalent to, or better than, traditional blotting techniques without the need for gel pre­equilibration. This significant reduction in protein transfer time is accomplished by optimizing the

2

ionic strength of the transfer buffer and increasing the current [amps (A)/cm
the transfer stack. The system has been verified to work with commonly used pre-cast and
homemade SDS-PAGE gels. The Pierce G2 Fast Blotter can also be used for standard semi­dry transfer protocols with Towbin buffer.

Contacting Thermo Fisher Scientifi c

] flowing through

For technical or service assistance on the Pierce G2 Fast Blotter:

• U.S. Customers: 1-800-874-3723

• International Customers: 1-815-968-0747

Thermo Scie ntific / T hermo Scienti fic Pierce G2 Fast Blotter | 5

Fax: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Section 1 | Overview

Technical Support email for U.S. and international customers outside Europe:

[e-mail]

Technical Support email for European customers:

[e-mail]

For more information about the Thermo Scientific Protein Biology product line,

please visit thermoscientific.com/pierce

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Overview | Section 1

Instrument Overview

Unpacking and Setup Instructions

Unpack your new Pierce G2 Fast Blotter Control Unit and/or Cassette.

Verify that all of the accessories listed below are included with your blotter package. Please
note that the control unit and the cassette can be purchased separately or combined.

Your blotter purchase includes the following accessories (each quantity 1):

Included Accessories (Control unit)

Pierce G2 Fast Blotter Control Unit
Quick Start Guide
Blot Roller
Power Cord with C13 Connector

Included Accessories (Cassette)

Pierce G2 Fast Blotter Cassette

User Interface

The user interface consists of a color LCD menu touchscreen on the top of the control unit.
From the Main Menu, five selections are available. Touching the lower right Down arrow allows
you to see the last two methods and the Setup button.

Thermo Scientific / Thermo Scientific Pierce G2 Fast Blotter | 7

Section 1 | Overview

1. Pre-Programmed Methods This feature allows you to quickly access the recommended
amperage, voltage and time for the size and number of gels that you intend to
simultaneously transfer. The blotter is only intended for use with the following
consumables:

• Pierce 1-Step Transfer Buffer

• Bio-Rad™ Trans-Blot™ Turbo™ Transfer Stacks

• Towbin Transfer Buffer for Standard Semi-Dry Transfer (only)

2. Recent Methods Access to recently run methods listed from most to least recent.

3. Custom Methods Create, run and save a custom transfer method.

4. Setup Control audio settings, view software and hardware version s, and install software
updates to the user interface.

5. Shutdown Safely shuts down the device.

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Dimensions

Inches

Centimeters

Width

6.44

16.4

Depth

10.88

27.6

Height

6.06

15.40

Dimensions

Inches

Centimeters

Width

10.13

25.7

Depth

10.94

27.8

Height

1.38

3.5

SECTION 2

Instrument

Installation Guidelines

IMPORTANT Review and implement guidelines for proper set-up before installation. Locate
the imager away from water, solvents, corrosive materials, strong magnetic fields and vibration
sources.

Space Requirements

The blotter requires a stable laboratory bench or table. Provide a minimum clearance of
3 inches (7.62cm) at the rear of the blotter to allow for adequate ventilation for cooling and
access to the power cord and switch. In addition, allow sufficient space at the front of the blotter
for docking and removing the cassette with/from the control unit.

Table 2.1. Control unit dimensions.

Table 2.2. Cassette dimensions.

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Section 2 | Instrument

Supply Voltage (VAC)

120-240

Frequency (Hz)

50-60

Power Rating ( W)

120

Fuse (power center)

T4AL,250V, 4A

Electrical Requirements

Note A grounded circuit capable of delivering the appropriate current and voltage is required

for installation. Electrical requirements can be located on the rear panel of the blotter. The
blotter electrical system will adjust to the proper voltage for the respective country. Connect the
power cord to the rear left side panel of the device and plug into a grounded power outlet.

WARNING After running at high current, the anode and cathode plates can become hot. Use
caution when separating the gels and stacks from the plates. When continuously processing
multiple samples at ~5A for a maximum of 2 hours, allow the cassette to cool for 30 minutes or
use multiple cassettes to avoid excessive cassette heating.

WARNING Blotter use outside of the workflows described in this manual may put the operator
at risk of dangerous exposure to electrical shock. Do not use this instrument for any purposes
or in any configurations not described in this manual.

WARNING The blotter control unit can contain dangerous electricity and is not designed to be
opened by the user. Disconnect all power to the control unit before maintenance by a qualified
technician.

WARNING Do not overfill the cassette with liquid. Excess liquid can overflow into the control
unit and possibly cause electric shock. Follow the appropriate instructions for reagent amounts
and empty any remaining liquid in the cassette upon run completion.

Table 2.3. Blotter electrical ratings.

Electrical Parameter Rating

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