ViiA™ 7, QuantStudio™ 6 Flex, QuantStudio™ 7 Flex and QuantStudio™ 12k Flex System Block Upgrade Kit, 96 well - FAQs

View additional product information for ViiA™ 7, QuantStudio™ 6 Flex, QuantStudio™ 7 Flex and QuantStudio™ 12k Flex System Block Upgrade Kit, 96 well - FAQs (4453543)

14 product FAQs found

I cannot open the QuantStudio 3/5 Design & Analysis 2 (DA2) software on my Mac. What are the software requirements for Mac?

To open the software download on your Mac, you will need to adjust your security settings using the following instructions from Apple support:

Safely open apps on your mac

Please note, the software should run on Mac OS 10.10 or later.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our QuantStudio 3 and QuantStudio 5 Real Time PCR Systems Support Center.

Can I import a standard curve for my real-time PCR data into the Design & Analysis Software (v2.x)?

It is possible to import a standard curve into the Design & Analysis Software (v2.x) if you are analyzing results from one of the following Applied Biosystems real-time PCR instruments:
• 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System
• 7500/7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System
• StepOne/StepOne Plus Real-Time PCR System
• ViiA 7 Real Time PCR System
• QuantStudio 1 Real-Time PCR System
• QuantStudio 3 & 5 Real-Time PCR System
• QuantStudio 6 & 7 Flex Real-Time PCR System
• QuantStudio 6 & 7 Pro Real-Time PCR Systems
• QuantStudio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR system

Follow the instructions below to import a standard curve for analysis in the Design & Analysis Software (v2.x):
1. Open the data file in the Design & Analysis Software (v2.x).
2. Click on Actions.
3. Click on "Standard Curve Analysis Setting".
4. Select "External Standard Curves" and click on "Import".
5. Browse to the proper .csv file and click "Open".
6. Click "Apply".

Can I import a standard curve for my real-time PCR data into the QuantStudio Real-Time PCR Software?

If you are analyzing results from the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System, QuantStudio 6 Flex Real-Time PCR System, or QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR System, it is possible to import a standard curve into the QuantStudio Real-Time PCR Software following the instructions below:
1. Open the data file in the QuantStudio Real-Time PCR Software.
2. Go to Analysis Settings.
3. Click on the "Standard Curve Settings" tab.
4. Select the option to "Use a standard curve imported from another experiment" and click on "Import".
5. Browse to and highlight the proper data file and click "Select".
6. Click Apply Analysis Settings.

Is the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System compatible with the 7900HT Fast System Twister robot?

No, the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System is not compatible with the 7900HT Fast System Twister robot. For automation, the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System can be connected to one of the following robots:
• Orbitor RS2 Microplate Mover for QuantStudio Systems, Sequential Access (cat. No. A32268)
• Orbitor RS2 Microplate Mover for QuantStudio Systems, Random Access (cat. No. A32269)
• Twister Automation Robot for QuantStudio Systems (Cat. No. 4471066)

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

How can I get a summary of the calibrations performed on the QuantStudio 6 and 7 Flex Real-Time PCR Systems?

You can get a summary of the calibrations from the QuantStudio Software by going to Instrument > Instrument Console > Manage Instrument > Information > Print Calibration Log.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

What is the last software version for the ViiA7 Software?

ViiA7 Software v1.2.4 was the last version of the ViiA7 Software released. Currently, the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System can be controlled using the QuantStudio Software. To obtain the most recent copy of the QuantStudio Software for performing experiments on the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System, please visit the instrument software download page, https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/technical-resources/software-downloads/applied-biosystems-viia-7-real-time-pcr-system.html.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

Can I change the lamp in the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System by myself or does it have to be performed by a field service engineer?

You can change the lamp in the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System without the help of an engineer. Please follow the instructions provided in Appendix B of the following maintenance guide, https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/4489821.pdf. Once the lamp has been changed, you will need to calibrate the instrument again before performing a run.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

Do we offer calibration plates for Cy5 dye and Cy3 dye for the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System?

If you are running the QuantStudio Software v1.5.1 or below or the ViiA7 Software on the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR instrument and using:
• A 384-well block: You may reach out to our Specialty Oligos team at Specialty_Oligos@thermofisher.com to request Cy3 dye or Cy5 dye calibration oligos. Each tube is provided at 800 µL, 0.2 µM. For a 384-well plate at 10 µL/well, you will need to order two tubes, or at 20 µL/well, you will need to order three tubes. Please provide your shipping address to Specialty Oligos and they will provide you with a formal quote.
• A 96-well block: You can use the Cy3 dye and Cy5 dye plate contained in either the 7500 Real Time PCR Systems Spectral Calibration Kit II (Cat. No. 4351151) (Standard, 0.2 mL) or the 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR Systems Spectral Calibration Kit II (Cat. No. 4362201) (Fast, 0.1 mL), depending on which 96-well block you have.

If you are running QuantStudio Software v1.6 or above on the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System and calibrating for:
• Cy5 dye: The spectral dye calibration plates for this software version include Cy5 dye and can be purchased online for the following block formats:
- 384-well block, https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/A26335
- 96-well block, standard (0.2 mL), https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/A26333
- 96-well block, Fast (0.1 mL), https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/A26340
• Cy3 dye: You will have to follow the instructions shown above for QuantStudio software v1.5.1 and below and contact our Specialty Oligos team at Specialty_Oligos@thermofisher.com to request Cy3 dye calibration oligos.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

Do I need to back up my calibration files before I upgrade the software for the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System?

No, you do not need to back up the calibration files as all of the calibration files are stored on the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR instrument. Once the computer software is properly installed and the computer is connected to the instrument, the calibration information will automatically update in the QuantStudio Software.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

Can I still start a run on the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System if the "Calibration is expired" notification is displayed?

Yes, you can still start a run on the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR System if the expired calibration notice displays. This is just a reminder and you can close it to proceed with the run. Additionally, you can change when you want the notifications to show up and how frequently you want to be notified to calibrate the instrument. To do this, go to the toolbar in the QuantStudio Software and select Instrument > Instrument Console. Select your instrument icon and click on Manager Instrument > Maintenance > Calibration Reminders. From the Calibration reminders Settings page you can update when the calibrations expire, turn expiration reminders on/off, and set when the reminders show up.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

What is the difference between a Fast 96-well and standard 96-well block?

There are two main differences between a Fast 96-well and standard 96-well block for the Applied Biosystems real-time PCR systems:
• Reaction well volume: The Fast 96-well blocks have 0.1 mL reaction wells and are compatible with 0.1 mL plates and tubes. The standard 96-well blocks have 0.2 mL reaction wells and are compatible with 0.2 mL plates and tubes.
• Ramp rate: The fast 96-well blocks have a higher maximum ramp rate than standard blocks for the same real-time PCR system. However, both the fast 96-well and standard 96-well blocks are capable of running standard and fast chemistry.

Note: For newer instruments (QuantStudio 3 and 5 Real-Time PCR Systems and later) "0.1 mL" and "0.2 mL" are being used in place of "fast" and "standard" as designations for the two 96-well block formats.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

Are the heated covers for the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System 384-well block and TaqMan Array Card block the same?

Yes, the 384-well block and TaqMan Array Card block use the same heated cover. However, each heated cover should only be used with the block it originally comes with. Pairing the cover with a different block may generate an instrument error message.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

What blocks can I use to run fast cycling conditions on the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System?

All of the blocks on the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System can run fast cycling conditions. The ramp rates will vary between blocks.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.

What block types are available for the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System?

The following block types can be used on the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System:
• 96-well block
• Fast 96-well block
• 384-well block
• TaqMan Array Card block

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instruments Support Center.