Remove the templating strips from their boxes in the refrigerator or freezer and get them ready them for loading in the sequencer by equilibrating to/thawing at room temperature for 30 mins. Confirm that the strip contents are completely thawed before loading in the sequencer. If you are delayed in loading, keep the thawed strips on ice or at 4 degrees C until you load them in the sequencer.
Genexus Strip 3B‑GX5 contain magnetic beads in one or two positions, yellow or brown in color, that sometimes get trapped in the upper keyhole of the tube. Dislodge these beads from the keyhole before installing the strip in the sequencer using the following procedure for each strip:
- Invert the strip 3-4 times to dislodge beads that are trapped in the keyholes.
- To remove any remaining beads and liquid from the keyholes, grasp the strip at one end with the strip seal facing up, then swing the strip with a rapid, downward centrifugal arm motion, ending with a sharp wrist-flick.
- Grasp the strip at the other end, then repeat the centrifugal motion.
- Check tube positions for significant amounts of beads that are still trapped in keyholes and then repeat the centrifugal motion, if needed. It is acceptable if a few beads remain in the keyhole or on the tube wall, but most should be either in suspension or in a pellet at the bottom of the tube.