QIAcube HT

QIAcube HT provides fast and reliable automated high-throughput nucleic acid purification for use in a variety of sensitive downstream applications. Researchers can easily increase their sample purification throughput and expect the same high-quality results as from other trusted QIAGEN nucleic acid purification solutions.

DNA from blood, cells and tissues

Automated purification of total DNA from blood, cells and tissue samples is quick, easy and reliable with QIAcube HT and the dedicated QIAamp 96 DNA QIAcube HT Kit. Fresh or frozen whole blood containing common anticoagulants can be processed (see figure Analysis of genomic DNA purified from human blood). QIAcube HT lets users increase sample purification throughput without having to compromise on quality or reliability, providing high yields of pure DNA that perform well in downstream analyses (see figures Purification of genomic DNA from tissues and High performance in downstream assays). 

DNA from stool samples

Automated purification of DNA from stool samples is quick, easy and reliable with QIAcube HT and the dedicated QIAamp 96 PowerFecal QIAcube HT Kit. Whether stool samples from 10 different animals were subjected to manual gDNA purification using the QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit or automated using the dedicated instrument kit, the target could be successfully amplified in a real-time PCR assay, as indicated by comparable C_T values (see figure Automated bacterial DNA purification from various animal stool samples gave comparable yields to the manual procedure).

Stool samples are rich in PCR inhibitors such as complex polysaccharides, bile salts, lipids and urate. In the best cases, these inhibitors make it difficult to amplify targets by PCR, while in the worst cases, their presence can entirely suppress PCR signals. Therefore, effective removal of these inhibitors is critical to successful analysis of nucleic acids purified from stool samples. The QIAamp 96 PowerFecal QIAcube HT Kit efficiently eliminates PCR inhibitors from samples, enabling reliable detection of DNA, similar to other QIAGEN stool DNA purification solutions whether used manually or automated (see figure Efficient PCR inhibitor removal with all kits whether used manually or automated).

Viral DNA and RNA from a variety of samples

The QIAamp 96 Virus QIAcube HT Kit enables automated purification of viral RNA and DNA from a broad range of sample types including fresh or frozen tissues, blood and other body fluids. The procedure yields high-quality viral nucleic acids that perform well in downstream PCR and RT-PCR analyses (see figure Reliable purification from a range of sample types). The procedure also provides high yields of pure RNA or DNA that perform well in downstream analyses, similar to other QIAGEN DNA purification solutions (see figures Reliable automated purification and High sensitivity of viral nucleic acids in PCR and RT-PCR).

RNA from cells and tissues

RNA purification on QIAcube HT is simple and reliable with the RNeasy 96 QIAcube HT Kit and provides linear sample recovery with no significant well-to-well variation across a 96-well plate (see figures Linear recovery of total RNA from tissues and Reproducible 96-well RNA purification). This economical, easy-to-use system provides the same results as other trusted QIAGEN purification technologies (see figure Automated purification of high-quality RNA from tissues).  

Viral DNA and RNA and bacterial DNA from animal samples

QIAcube HT enables reliable purification of nucleic acids from undiluted animal whole blood with minimal risk of silica membrane clogging. Automated processing of samples in 96-well format is precise and repeatable between different purification runs performed on different days, providing not only convenience but also peace of mind (see figure Highly repeatable viral RNA isolation). Co-purification of viral RNA and bacterial DNA is easily automated with QIAcube HT and dedicated cador Pathogen QIAcube HT Kit, and provides the same high-quality nucleic acids as manual processing with the QIAamp cador Pathogen Mini Kit (see figure Co-isolation of viral RNA and bacterial DNA).  

DNA from complex food samples

The DNeasy mericon 96 QIAcube HT Kit has been specially adapted for rapid mid- to high-throughput purification of DNA from a variety of raw and processed food matrices on the QIAcube HT instrument. A modified cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) extraction procedure allows DNA extraction from all food samples in radically shorter time compared with conventional CTAB protocols (see figure Efficient and rapid DNA extraction from complex food samples). Now users can prepare the same high-quality DNA as from the manual DNeasy mericon Food Kit with a quick and simple automated procedure (see figure Purification of DNA from complex food samples).

The DNeasy mericon Kit can only be used with the QIAcube HT Prep Manager Software when requesting a customized protocol. The protocol is not included in the standard configuration of the Prep Manager software. However, all DNeasy mericon Kit protocols are pre-installed and compatible with the QIAcube HT Operating Software 4.17.

Automated purification on the QIAcube HT is quick and cost-effective and delivers high-quality nucleic acids from 24–96 samples per run. Dedicated QIAcube HT Kits enable purification of nucleic acids from a diverse range of starting materials, including cells, tissues, bacteria, viruses, stool and food material. The QIAcube HT is extremely easy to use, and the intuitive software lets users start a run with just a few mouse clicks.

Dedicated QIAcube HT Kits for a wide range of starting materials

Specimen	Input	Kit	Eluate	Elution volume
Fresh, frozen or treated blood, cells and tissues	Blood: up to 200 µl Cells: up to 5 x 106 cells Tissues: up to 20 mg	QIAamp 96 DNA QIAcube HT Kit (5)	Total DNA	200 µl (default)
Fresh or frozen stool	Up to 200 mg	QIAamp 96 PowerFecal Kit (5)	Host and bacterial DNA	100 µl (default)
Fresh or frozen tissues, swabs, blood and any other body fluids	Body fluids: up to 200 µl Tissues: up to 20 mg	QIAamp 96 Virus QIAcube HT Kit (5)	Viral DNA and RNA	100 µl (default)
Animal or human cells and tissues	Cells: up to 5 x 106 cells Tissues: up to 40 mg	RNeasy 96 QIAcube HT Kit (5)	Total RNA including miRNA	110 µl (default)
Animal samples including whole blood, serum, plasma, body fluids, swabs, washes, tissues, feces	Body fluids: up to 200 µl Tissues: up to 25 mg	cador Pathogen 96 QIAcube HT Kit (5)	Viral RNA Viral/bacterial DNA	150 µl (default)
Raw or processed food matrices	Up to 300 mg food material	DNeasy mericon 96 QIAcube HT Kit (5)	DNA	200 µl (default)

QIAcube HT is a compact, benchtop instrument with a very small footprint. It fits easily onto most lab benches and can be readily moved into biosafety level laboratories. QIAcube HT comes with a laptop computer for added flexibility.

Advanced instrument safety features, including a translucent hood, help to protect precious samples from environmental contamination. The HEPA filter maintains positive clean air pressure on the worktable underneath the hood and protects precious samples from potential airborne contamination. The UV light provides efficient worktable decontamination and helps to prevent cross-contamination. QIAcube HT ejects used tips through the tip disposal chute into a disposable plastic box located at the side of the instrument. This external tip ejection prevents waste accumulation in the clean workspace. The tip disposal box holder keeps the box positioned correctly under the tip chute. The disposal box also comes with a secure-fitting lid to make waste disposal simple and safe.

QIAcube HT provides automated, high-throughput nucleic acid purification for 24–96 samples per run, in increments of 8 samples. The instrument uses a vacuum-driven system to perform the simple and fast bind–wash–elute procedure during sample purification. The vacuum chamber is composed of two separate compartments. This configuration is one of many measures that minimizes sample cross-contamination during purification.

All materials needed for sample purification are placed onto the instrument worktable prior to the run. A 96-well sample block contains the starting sample material that will be lysed and transferred to the filter plate during the run. Easy-to-fill disposable troughs contain all necessary buffers and reagents for sample binding, washing, and elution. Pipet tips are positioned on the right side of the worktable.

Liquid-handling tasks are performed by the 8-channel pipetting head, which provides fast transfer of liquids during the run. The software tracks tip use and internally updates tip availability as the run proceeds. QIAcube HT optimizes the use of plasticware with a smart and economical tip reuse strategy. After washing, the pipetting head moves the 96-well filter plate to the elution compartment, where purified nucleic acids are eluted into the elution microtubes. The included 8-well strip caps securely close the elution microtubes for sample storage.

QIAcube HT Software provides a user-friendly interface for operating the QIAcube HT instrument. The software wizard simulates the instrument worktable and makes it easy to set up and start a run with just a few mouse clicks. The software automatically calculates reagent volumes according to the number of samples, and fully documents every run. The software also allows you to import bar code databases, manage user access, and integrate Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).