qPCR FAQ

1.  How do I get access to the ViiA 7 instruments?

You must request training first.   See ViiA 7 Instructions for details.

2.  How can I access the instruments after hours?

If you need to run qPCR between 5:00pm and 8:00am (or on weekends), you can request ID card access to MBB 1.426 by emailing dsfcore@austin.utexas.edu.

3.  How do I check instrument availability?

You can check availability on the FBS scheduling calendar HERE.  To view the calendar for all three instruments simultaneously, use the "Group" dropdown menu and select "qPCR-ViiA7".

4.  How do I book an instrument?

You can book an instrument on the FBS scheduling calendar HERE.  The "Schedule Resource" window opens when you select a day on the calendar.  Make your reservation by selecting a start and end time.  You must also enter a valid account number in the "Account Pay" field.  You will get an immediate email confirmation, as well as a reminder email at your specified start time.

5.  How do I cancel a reservation?

If your reservation has not yet started, you can edit it or delete it by clicking on your reservation on the calendar.  If your reservation has already started, please contact dsfcore@austin.utexas.edu.

6.  What should I do if my instrument is in use by another user when my reservation begins?

We recommend finding a member of DSF staff and reporting the violation.  We will work with all of you to resolve the situation diplomatically.  This is highly preferable to stopping the other user's run.  Based on current demand, this is a rare occurrence.

7.  What should I do if the instrument fails or reports an error during my run?

Please talk to a member of DSF staff or send us an email at dsfcore@austin.utexas.edu.  Please don't ignore the problem or leave it unreported.  Our goal is to quickly expedite service calls to keep the instruments running.   It is highly unlikely that the problem is your fault.

8. How long does a run take?

The default SYBR Green protocol (40 cycles) takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Please book enough time on the instrument.  We recommend booking for 2 hours, to give you time for setup.

9. Why does it cost $10/hr to use the instruments?

The fee covers service contracts, user training, and quality control assays.  DSF is a non-profit, and seeks only to cover our operating costs.
 

10. How should I save my data?

We recommend saving data in your own subfolder of the local and shared "qPCR User Data" folder on the Desktop.  However, you are free to save the data wherever you wish when logged-in on the Austin domain.  But please note: Either way, when the hard drive approaches capacity, we begin deleting qPCR data from the hard drive, starting with the oldest files.  Thus, please take a copy of your data with you via flash drive, email, UTBox, etc.  We delete old files without notice.

11. Can other people see my data in the "qPCR User Data" folder?

Yes, but unless your data is annotated, there is no way it can be deciphered.  We highly recommend analyzing and annotating your data on your own computer.

12. Can I save my data in Excel format?

Yes, many users just want to save their CT data in Excel format.  Please see QuantStudio Software for detailed instructions.

13.  My data looks terrible.  Who/what can I blame for this?

Although the instruments are routinely calibrated (as well as when needed), we are finding that they occasionally yield questionably negative data in some wells.  These instruments get heavy and unequal use.  The ViiA 7 uses a centralized lamp to excite all wells simultaneously (as opposed to instruments designed with individual LEDs for each well), which probably results in inconsistent performance as the lamp ages.  Thus, we recommend running experiments in triplicate using different plate quadrants and using the instrument with the fewest lamp hours (this data is available under "Instrument Console").  Please notify us if you believe there is a problem.  We will run a quality control test.

14. Can I see the DSF's quality control data for the instruments?

Absolutely.  The most recent data is always available for download under Quality Control.

15.  Where can I download the free version of QuantStudio Software v1.3?

 It can be downloaded from ThermoFisher HERE.