1. DNA EXTRACTOR WORKFLOW
COMPARATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
DNA EXTRACTOR WORKFLOW
Elizabeth Thompson, MT (ASCP)
Clinical Lab Consulting, LLC
47 S Meridian St., Second Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Tel: Fax:

2. Introduction
A comparative data analysis was performed on robotic DNA extraction platform workflows. The comparison contains data on five platforms and two specimen types for each platform. The analysis includes all steps to extract DNA: specimen preparation, reagent loading, and instrument run time.
Platforms included in the study:
Roche Diagnostics® MagNA Pure 96
QIAGEN® BioRobot Universal
QIAGEN® QIAsymphony
Life Technologies® MagMAX
Biomérieux Nuclisens® EasyMAG
Specimen types for comparison:
Whole Blood
Buccal Swab
Note: Refer to appendices for data tables and workflow diagram.

3. Results Summary
For buccal swab specimens, the range of time scores is 139:45 – 390:55 (MM:SS). The Roche MagNA Pure 96 platform was the second-fastest platform at 160:30. The fastest platform was the MagMAX from Life Technologies (the MagMAX has only a 3 minute lysis incubation, while all other platforms are minute incubations). However, the MagMAX required approximately 14 minutes more tech time to process 96 specimens than the MagNA Pure 96
Instrument setup including loading plastics, loading reagents, and setting up software was comparable between platforms. The most significant differences that affected total workflow time scores were:
01.
Aliquoting specimens (Roche and Life Technologies) vs. loading original specimen collection container directly onto platform (both QIAGEN platforms) (whole blood).
02.
Instrument run time (buccal swab and whole blood).

4. Conclusion Acknowledgements References
For whole blood specimens, the Roche MagNA Pure 96 has the fastest total time score of all five platforms, with significantly faster instrument run time than the QIAGEN platforms and less tech time than the MagMAX.
For buccal swab specimens, the Roche MagNA Pure 96 is the second-fastest platform (20 minutes longer than the fastest), but with 14 minutes less tech time than the fastest platform (MagMAX).
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the staff of the laboratories that supplied us with data for this study or allowed us to observe their DNA extraction workflows in person.
References
1. MagNA Pure 96 Kits and Protocols. v3.0. Roche Diagnostics; August 2014.
2. MagNA Pure 96 User Training Guide. v2.0. Roche Diagnostics; February 2012.
3. QIAamp® DNA Blood BioRobot® MDx Kit Handbook. 3rd ed. QIAGEN; April 2010.
4. QIAamp® 96 DNA Swab BioRobot® Kit Handbook. 4th ed. QIAGEN; April 2010.
5. QIAsymphony® DSP DNA Handbook. v1. QIAGEN; February 2012.
6. MagMAX™ 96 DNA Multi-Sample Kit. RevB. Life Technologies; August 2009.
7. EasyMAG Simplified User Guide. Biomérieux; June 2011.

5. Time Score Summary – Buccal Swab and Whole Blood
Appendix 1.
Time Score Summary – Buccal Swab and Whole Blood
BUCCAL SWAB
MagNA Pure (96)
BioRobot (96)
QIAsymphony (96)
EasyMAG (96)
EasyMAG (24)
EasyMAG (x4=96)
Sample Prep
70:00
32:30*
84:10
22:00
88:00
Lysis Incubation
20:00
60:00 /
10:00
40:00
Loading Instrument - Reagent, Sample, Plastics, Software Setup
16:30
18:00
20:55
16:35
06:00
25:40
Run Time
54:00
110:00
240:00
160:00
Tech Time:
86:30
50:30
90:55
99:45
28:25
113:40
Total Time:
160:30
220:0
390:55
139:45
78:25
313:40
*Swabs are loaded directly into 96-well plate and not removed, so prep time is lower.

6. Time Score Summary – Buccal Swab and Whole Blood
Appendix 1.
Time Score Summary – Buccal Swab and Whole Blood
WHOLE BLOOD
MagNA Pure (96)
BioRobot (96)
QIAsymphony (96)
EasyMAG (96)
EasyMAG (24)
EasyMAG (x4=96)
Sample Prep (aliquot or load original blood tubes in rack)
40:00**
16:00
22:15
101:00
13:33
54:12
Lysis Incubation /
10:00
40:00
Loading Instrument - Reagent, Sample, Plastics, Software Setup
20:38
20:25
13:05
06:31
26:04
Run Time
56:00
171:00
240:00
160:00
Tech Time:
60:00
36:38
42:40
114:05
22:04
88:16
Total Time:
116:00
207:38
282:40
154:05
72:04
288:16
**Includes pipetting blood into cartridge, which is not required for QIAGEN platforms.

7. Extended Time Score Summary – Buccal Swab
Appendix 2.
Extended Time Score Summary – Buccal Swab
BUCCAL SWAB
MagNA Pure (96)
(MM:SS)
BioRobot (96)
QIAsymphony (96)
EasyMAG (96)
EasyMAG (24)
Load Buccal swabs, double check sample IDs (label tubes, if applicable).
30:00
12:00
Prepare internal control.
05:00 /
Load lysis buffer.
02:00
03:00
Incubate swabs in PK/lysis buffer.
20:00
60:00
10:00
Remove swabs from tubes and transfer lysis solution into plate/cartridge.
35:00
Turn on instrument.
00:30
01:30
Fill water reservoir and bottle (under instrument and in carousel).
Set up software (choose method).
01:20
00:15
Pipette lysed sample into cartridge.
Prepare silica solution and add to lysed samples.
Prep reagents (and load onto instrument, if applicable).
08:00
17:35
Load plastics (and reagents into troughs, if applicable).
06:00
Load samples onto platform.
Complete setup in software to start instrument.
01:00
00:10
Shake the unsealed plate on a titer plate shaker for 3 minutes at speed 8.
03:10
Remove the plate from the shaker, then carefully remove the swabs, leaving behind as much lysis buffer as possible (approximately 200 μL).
15:00

8. Extended Time Score Summary – Buccal Swab
Appendix 2.
Extended Time Score Summary – Buccal Swab
BUCCAL SWAB
MagNA Pure (96)
(MM:SS)
BioRobot (96)
QIAsymphony (96)
EasyMAG (96)
EasyMAG (24)
Add 160 μL of 100% isopropanol to each buccal swab sample on the MagMAX™ Deep Well 96-Well Plate. /
06:00
then shake the sealed plate for 3 minutes at speed 8 on a titer plate shaker.
04:00
Remove the plate from the shaker, carefully remove the cover, then add 20 μL of prepared DNA Binding Bead Mix to each lysate on the plate.
08:00
Seal the plate, then shake for 3 minutes at speed 8 on the titer plate shaker.
While the plate is shaking, prepare sufficient RNase A mix for the correct number of samples.
03:00
Prepare the plates for the MagMAX™ Express-96 Deep Well Magnetic Particle Processor.
Combine the MagMAX™ Express-96 Deep Well Tip Comb and the MagMAX™ Express 96-Well Plate.
02:00
If the lid is in place, open the sliding door, then load the plates into the loading station as prompted by the instrument.
01:05
Close hood and drawers.
01:00
Run instrument.
54:00
110:00
240:00
40.00
40:00
After the run is started, load the following reagents into the plates at the loading stations listed in the following table when prompted by the instrument.
00:30
Total Time :
160:30
220:30
390:55
139:45
78:25

9. Extended Time Score Summary – Whole Blood
Appendix 3.
Extended Time Score Summary – Whole Blood
WHOLE BLOOD
MagNA Pure 96 (MM:SS)
BioRobot 96 (MM:SS)
QIAsymphony 96 (MM:SS)
MagMAX 96 (MM:SS)
EasyMAG 24 (MM:SS)
Load blood tubes onto a rocker for homogenization and to come to room temp. If original blood tubes are loaded: Uncap blood tubes and load into racks.
20:00
16:00
21:30 /
If blood is aliquoted: Aliquot lysis buffer into plate.
03:00
If blood is aliquoted: Aliquot blood samples into plate.
24:00
35:00
13:33
Seal and incubate plate with aliquoted blood.
22:00
Turn on instrument (and computer, if applicable).
02:00
00:30
01:30
Prepare internal control.
05:00
Fill water reservoir and bottle (under instrument and in carousel).
Set up software, choose method.
01:00
03:15
01:20
02:37
Prep reagents and load onto instrument.
08:00
03:10
17:35
11:00
00:18
Load plastics (and reagents into troughs, if applicable).
06:13
00:14
Load racked blood onto platform.
02:25
00:45
00:06
Click on the Dispense Lysis icon to start incubation protocol, run incubation.
10:03
Complete setup in software to start instrument.
00:35
Remove the plate from the heat source, then carefully remove the cover, and add 200 μL of Multi-Sample DNA Lysis Buffer to each sample on the plate.
04:00
Seal the plate, then shake for 3 minutes at speed 8 on a titer plate shaker.
Remove the plate from the shaker, carefully remove the cover, then add 20 μL of DNA binding bead mix to each sample on the plate.

10. Extended Time Score Summary – Whole Blood
Appendix 3.
Extended Time Score Summary – Whole Blood
WHOLE BLOOD
MagNA Pure 96 (MM:SS)
BioRobot 96 (MM:SS)
QIAsymphony 96 (MM:SS)
MagMAX 96 (MM:SS)
EasyMAG 24 (MM:SS)
Seal the plate, then shake for 3 minutes at speed 7 on the titer plate shaker. /
04:00
Remove the plate from the shaker, carefully remove the cover, then add 240 μL of 100% isopropanol to each sample on the plate.
06:00
04.00
Combine the MagMAX™ Express-96 Deep Well Tip Comb and MagMAX™ Express 96-Well Plate.
02:00
If the lid is in place, open the sliding door, then load the plates onto the loading station as prompted by the instrument.
02:05
During the incubation prepare the silica solution.
01:40
Aliquot 125 μL portions into an 8 well strip.
00:53
Add silica mixture to lysed samples after incubation is complete.
01:16
Close hood and drawers.
01:00
Run instrument.
56:00
171:00
240:00
40:00
40:04
After the run is started, add Elution Buffer 2 to the elution plate when prompted by the instrument.
05:00
Total Time:
116:00
207:38
282:40
154:05
72:04

11. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Roche MagNA Pure - 96 Whole Blood Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS) 1.
Mix and bring specimens to room temperature.
20:00 2.
Turn on instrument, log in, system performs self-checks during sample prep.
02:00 3.
Prepare internal control by aliquoting into IC tube.
05:00 4.
Prepare room temperature specimens by aliquoting 200μL of each specimen into processing cartridge.
24:00 5.
Set up software for 96 specimen whole blood run.
01:00 6.
Load the bottle rack.
Load the reagent rack.
Load the tip rack.
Load the waste rack. 7.
Run the instrument.
56:00
Total Time:
116:00

12. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Roche MagNA Pure - 96 Buccal Swab Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS) 1.
Turn on the instrument and set up the software to perform a buccal swab run.
02:00 2.
Prepare internal control by aliquoting into IC tube.
05:00 3.
Transfer one buccal swab into one 1.5 ml Eppendorf reaction vial and remove the swab from the plastic carrier.
30:00 4.
Pipette 200 μl of Proteinase K on top of the swab, and allow the liquid to completely soak the swab. 5.
Incubate at 65C for 10 min, then 95C for 10 min.
20:00 6.
Transfer the swab solutions (200μl) into the single wells of the Sample Cartridge.
35:00 7.
Load specimens onto platform.
00:30 8.
Set up software for a 96-specimen swab run.
01:00 9.
Load the bottle rack.
Load the reagent rack.
Load the tip rack.
Load the waste rack.
01.00
10.
Run the instrument.
54:00

13. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
QIAGEN BioRobot Universal - 96 Whole Blood Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS) 1.
Load blood tubes onto a rocker for homogenization and bring to room temp. Uncap blood tubes and load into racks.
16:00 2.
Turn on instrument, fill water reservoir and bottle (under instrument and in carousel).
05:00 3.
Set up software (choose method).
03:15 4.
Prep reagents and load onto carousel (ethanol, wash buffers).
03:10 5.
Load plastics (plates, tips, troughs - reagents into troughs (elution and lysis buffers).
06:13 6.
Load racked blood onto platform, double check sample IDs on blood tubes with map.
02:25 7.
Complete setup in software to start instrument.
00:35 8.
Run instrument (clog check 1 hour and 55 mins in - visual check, then click button to resume method).
171:00
Total Time:
207:38

14. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
QIAGEN BioRobot Universal - 96 Buccal Swab Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS) 1.
Load Buccal swabs into 96-well plate, double check sample IDs.
30:00 2.
Load lysis buffer into 96-well plate.
02:00 3.
Incubate swabs in PK/lysis buffer.
60:00 4.
Turn on instrument. 5.
Fill water reservoir and bottle (under instrument and in carousel).
03:00 6.
Set up software (choose method). 7.
Prep reagents and load onto instrument. 8.
Load plastics (and reagents into troughs, if applicable).
06:00 9.
Load samples onto platform.
00:30
10.
Complete setup in software to start instrument.
01:00
11.
Run instrument.
110:00
Total Time:
220:30

15. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
QIAGEN QIAsymphony - 96 Whole Blood Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS) 1.
Preparation of sample material - mix and bring to room temp.
20:00 2.
Check that Buffers QSL1 and QSB1 do not contain a precipitate.
00:30 3.
Ensure the piercing lid is placed on the reagent cartridge and the lid of the magnetic-particle trough has been removed.
00:45 4.
Open the enzyme tubes.
01:00 5.
If samples are barcoded, orient samples in the tube carrier so that the barcodes face the barcode reader on the left side of the QIAsymphony SP.
01:30 6.
Log on to the instrument. 7.
Load reagent cartridges, plastics, eluate drawer, and waste drawer.
02:00 8.
Ensure the “Reagents/Consumables” drawer is prepared properly, and perform an inventory scan of the “Reagents/Consumables” drawer.
10:00
Ensure the “Sample” drawer is prepared properly, and perform an inventory scan of the “Sample” drawer.

16. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
QIAGEN QIAsymphony - 96 Whole Blood Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS)
Ensure the “Elute” drawer is prepared properly, and perform an inventory scan of the “Elute” drawer.
01:00
Ensure the “Waste” drawer is prepared properly, and perform an inventory scan of the “Waste” drawer, including the tip chute and liquid waste. Replace the tip disposal bag if necessary.
01:20 9.
Place the samples into the appropriate sample carrier, and load them into the “Sample” drawer.
00:45
10.
Close all drawers and the hood.
11.
Using the touchscreen, enter the required information for each batch of samples to be processed.
12.
Run the instrument.
240:00
Total Time:
282:40

17. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
QIAGEN QIAsymphony - 96 Buccal Swab Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS) 1.
Transfer one buccal swab into one 1.5 ml Eppendorf reaction vial and remove the swab from the plastic carrier.
30:00 2.
Pipette 200 μl of Proteinase K on top of the swab, and allow the liquid to soak the swab completely.
05:00 3.
Incubate swabs in PK/lysis buffer.
60:00 4.
Transfer the swab solutions (200μl) into the single wells of a 96-well plate.
35:00 5.
check that Buffers QSL1 and QSB1 do not contain a precipitate.
00:30 6.
Make sure that the piercing lid is placed on the reagent cartridge and the lid of the magnetic-particle trough has been removed.
00:45 7.
Load reagent cartridges, plastics, eluate drawer, and waste drawer.
02:00 8.
Open the enzyme tubes.
01:00 9.
Log on to the instrument.

18. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
QIAGEN QIAsymphony - 96 Buccal Swab Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS)
10.
Ensure the “Reagents/Consumables” drawer is prepared properly, and perform an inventory scan of the “Reagents/Consumables” drawer.
10:00
Ensure the “Sample” drawer is prepared properly, and perform an inventory scan of the “Sample” drawer.
01:00
Ensure the “Eluate” drawer is prepared properly, and perform an inventory scan of the “Elute” drawer.
Ensure the “Waste” drawer is prepared properly, and perform an inventory scan of the “Waste” drawer, including the tip chute and liquid waste. Replace the tip disposal bag if necessary.
01:20
11.
Load the samples onto the platform.
00:30
12.
Close all drawers and the hood.
13.
Using the touchscreen, enter the required information for each batch of samples to be processed.
14.
Run the instrument.
240:00
Total Time:
390:55

19. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Life Technologies MagMAX - 96 Whole Blood Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS) 1.
Add isopropanol and ethanol to Wash Solution 1 Concentrate and Wash Solution 2 Concentrate.
05:00
Prepare sufficient DNA Binding Bead Mix for your sample extraction.
03:00
Prepare the PK buffer/enzyme mix. 2.
For each sample, add 50 μL of PK buffer/enzyme mix to each well of a MagMAX™-96 Deep Well Plate or processing plate. 3.
For each sample, add 50 μL of blood sample to each well of the MagMAX™-96 Deep Well Plate or processing plate, mixing the solution by pipetting up/down 5 to 7 times.
35:00 4.
Seal the plate using a MicroAmp® Clear Adhesive Film, then incubate the sealed plate on a 96-well heated block for 20 minutes at 60 to 65 °C.
22:00 5.
Remove the plate from the heat source, then carefully remove the cover., then add 200μL of Multi-Sample DNA Lysis Buffer to each sample on the plate.
04:00
Seal the plate, then shake for 3 minutes at speed 8 on a titer plate shaker. 6.
Remove the plate from the shaker, carefully remove the cover, then add 20 μL of DNA Binding Bead mix to each sample on the plate.
08:00

20. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Life Technologies MagMAX - 96 Whole Blood Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS)
Seal the plate, then shake for 3 minutes at speed 7 on the titer plate shaker.
04:00 7.
Remove the plate from the shaker, carefully remove the cover, then add 240 μL of 100% isopropanol to each sample on the plate.
06:00 8.
Power on the MagMAX™ instrument.
02:00 9.
Load the MagMAX™ instrument.
Combine the MagMAX™ Express-96 Deep Well Tip Comb and MagMAX™ Express 96-Well Plate.
If the lid is in place, open the sliding door.
00:05
Load the plates onto the loading station as prompted by the instrument.
10.
Run the instrument.
40:00
After the run is started, add DNA Elution Buffer 2 to the elution plate when prompted by the instrument.
05:00
Total Time:
154:05

21. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Life Technologies MagMAX - 96 Buccal Swab Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS) 1.
Add isopropanol and ethanol to Wash Solution 1 Concentrate and Wash Solution 2 Concentrate.
05:00
Prepare sufficient DNA Binding Bead Mix for your sample extraction and store at room temperature.
03:00
Add 400 μL of Multi-Sample DNA Lysis Buffer to 96 wells of a MagMAX™ Deep Well 96-Well Plate. 2.
Load swabs into plate, cut and remove the stick portion of the swab (to make shaking easier), then place it into a well containing lysis buffer. 3.
Shake the unsealed plate on a titer plate shaker for 3 minutes at speed 8.
03:10 4.
Remove the plate from the shaker and remove the swabs, leaving behind as much lysis buffer as possible (approximately 200 μL).
15:00 5.
Add 160 μL 100% isopropanol to each buccal swab sample.
06:00
Seal the plate, then shake the sealed plate for 3 minutes at speed 8 on a titer plate shaker.
04:00 6.
Remove the plate from the shaker, carefully remove the cover, then add 20 μL of prepared DNA Binding Bead Mix to each lysate on the plate.
08:00
Seal the plate, then shake for 3 minutes at speed 8 on the titer plate shaker. 7.
While the plate is shaking, prepare RNase A mix.

22. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Life Technologies MagMAX - 96 Buccal Swab Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS) 8.
Prepare the plates for the MagMAX™ Express-96 Deep Well Magnetic Particle Processor.
08:00
Load the MagMAX™ instrument.
02:00
Combine the Express-96 Deep Well Tip Comb and the Express 96-Well Plate. 9.
Power on the MagMAX™ instrument.
10.
If the lid is in place, open the sliding door.
00:05
Load the plates into the loading station as prompted by the instrument.
01:00
11.
Run the instrument.
40:00
After the run is started, load the following reagents into the plates at the loading stations listed in the following table when prompted by the instrument.
04:00
Total Time:
139:45

23. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Nuclisens EasyMAG - 24 Whole Blood Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS)
Start the instrument. When the LED on the EasyMAG turns green, turn on the 1.
Computer.
01:30 2.
Log onto the EasyMAG software.
00:07 3.
Check the setting through the Settings icon.
00:02 4.
Under the Instrument icon barcode in the reagents.
00:18 5.
Click on the Daily Use icon and select the extraction protocol.
00:10 6.
Enter sample IDs.
02:08 7.
Add samples to the vessel under the biological hood.
13:33 8.
Insert the tips and sample vessel into instrument.
00:14 9.
Barcode the sample vessel position and sample vessel into the software.
00:06
10.
Click on the Dispense Lysis icon to start incubation protocol, run incubation.
10:03
11.
During the incubation prepare the silica solution.
01:40

24. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Nuclisens EasyMAG - 24 Whole Blood Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS)
12.
Aliquot 125 μL portions into an 8 well strip.
00:53
13.
Add silica mixture to lysed samples after incubation is complete.
01:16
14.
Click on the Start icon to begin the rest of the run.
40:04
Total Time:
72:04

25. Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Appendix 4.
Time Scores by Platform and Specimen Type
Nuclisens EasyMAG - 24 Whole Blood Specimens
Step #
Step Description
Time (MM:SS)
Start the instrument. When the LED on the EasyMAG turns green, turn on the 1.
Computer.
01:30 2.
Log onto the EasyMAG software and check the settings.
00:15 3.
Click on the Daily Use icon and select the extraction protocol.
00:10 4.
Number lysis tubes.
02:00 5.
Add samples to lysis tubes.
10:00 6.
Incubate in lysis for 10 minutes. During this time, load reagents and plastics onto instrument and number cartridge. 7.
Pipette lysis tube contents into cartridge. 8.
Insert the cartridge on the instrument. 9.
Prepare the silica solution.
10.
Add silica mixture to lysed samples after incubation is complete.
01:00
11.
Click on the Start icon to begin the rest of the run.
04.00
Total Time:
78:25

26. Workflow Diagram – Whole Blood
Appendix 5.
WORKFLOW COMPARISON – WHOLE BLOOD
Roche MagNA Pure 96
QIAGEN BioRobot
QIAGEN QIAsymphony
Life Tech MagMAX
Nuclisens Easy MAG
1 min 30 sec
Start instrument and computer
11 min
Prepare and aliquot reagents
30 min
Transfer swabs to 1.5mL tubes
Load swabs into 96-well plate
2 min Turn on instrument, set up software
5 min
Prepare and aliquot internal control
2 min
Load lysis buffer into 96-well plate
Add PK to swabs
30 min
Load swabs into 96-well plate
15 sec
Log on to software
30 min
Transfer swabs to 1.5mL tubes
60 min
Incubate swabs
3 min 10 sec
Shake plate for 3 min
10 sec
Set up software
5 min
Add PK to swabs
15 min
Remove swabs from 96-well plate
2 min
Number lysis tubes
Turn on instrument
35 min
Transfer swab solutions to plate
20 min
Incubate swabs
30 sec
Check buffers for precipitate
10 min
Add specimens to lysis tubes
3 min
Fill water containers
Add isopropanol, shake 3 min
35 min
Transfer swab solutions to cartridge
3 min
Set up software
45 sec
10 min
Incubate swabs. Load reagents and plastics.
12 min
Add bead mix, shake 3 min
Check piercing and particle trough lids
3 min
Prep and load reagents
1 min
Open enzyme tubes
10 min
Transfer specimens to cartridge
Prepare RNase A mix
30 sec
Load specimens onto platform
1 min
Set up software
6 min
Load plastics
2 min
12 min
Prepare and load plastics
1 min 30 sec
Load cartridge onto platform
Load reagent, plastics, eluate, waste drawers
30 sec
Load swab plate onto platform
2 min
Turn on the instrument
Prepare silica solution
1 min
Open enzyme tubes
8 min
Load bottle, reagent, tip, waste racks
54 min
Run the instrument
1 min
Complete software setup
30 sec
Log on to instrument
Add silica solution to specimens
1 min 5 sec
Open the sliding door and load plates
10 steps
160.5 min
96 specimens
110 min
Run the instrument
40 min 30 sec
40 min
13 min 20 sec
Check reagent, sample, eluate, waste drawers
Run the instrument (add elution buffer)
11 steps
220.5 min
96 specimens
11 steps
min
96 specimens
11 steps
78.5 min
24 specimens
30 sec
Load specimens onto platform
1 min
Close drawers and hood
1 min 20 sec
Set up software
240 min
Run the instrument
14 steps
391 min
96 specimens

27. Workflow Diagram – Whole Blood
Appendix 5.
WORKFLOW COMPARISON – WHOLE BLOOD
24 min
Aliquot specimens into cartridge
3 min 10 sec
Prep and load reagents
1 min
Open enzyme tubes
22 min
Seal plate and incubate for 20 min
18 sec
Scan in reagents
Roche MagNA Pure 96
QIAGEN BioRobot
QIAGEN QIAsymphony
Life Tech MagMAX
Nuclisens Easy MAG
1 min 30 sec
Start instrument and computer
11 min
Prepare reagents
20 min
Mix, bring to room temp, rack blood
16 min
Prep and rack blood tubes
Mix specimens, bring to room temperature
2 min
Turn on instrument, inst. self-check
5 min
30 sec
Check buffers for precipitate
3 min
Aliquot enzyme mix to 96-well plate
7 sec
Log on to software
Turn on instrument, fill water containers
Prepare and aliquot internal control
3 min 15 sec
Set up software
45 sec
35 min
Aliquot blood to 96-well plate
2 sec
Check software settings
Check piercing and particle trough lids
12 steps
282.6 min
96 specimens
14 steps
72 min
24 specimens
7 steps
116 min
6 min 13 sec
Load plastics
8 steps
207.6 min
Face blood tube barcodes
8 min
Add lysis buffer, shake 3 min
10 sec
Select protocol in software
Load specimens into sample drawer
6 min 5 sec
6 sec
Scan vessel into software
Close drawers and hood
10 steps
154 min
10 min 3 sec
Run incubation protocol
2 min 25 sec
Load racked blood onto platform
Log on to instrument software
12 min
Add bead mix, shake 3 mins
2 min 8 sec
Enter specimen IDs
Load bottle, reagent, tip, waste racks
56 min
Run the instrument
35 sec
Complete software setup
10 min
Add isopropanol, shake 3 mins
13 min 33 sec
Aliquot specimens into vessel
Load reagent, plastics, eluate, waste drawers
171 min
Turn on the instrument
14 sec
Load tips and vessel onto platform
13 min 20 sec
Check reagent, sample, eluate, waste drawers
45 min
Run the instrument (add elution buffer)
240 min
40 min 4 sec
1 min 16 sec
Add silica solution to lysed specimens
53 sec
Aliquot silica solution into 8-well strip