STAR Q Swab AS Instrument

High-throughput assay setup for human identity samples

Features

Efficient and safe processing of epithelial and blood samples from swabs for high-throughput database and reference sample laboratories
Easy-to-use software for minimal training requirements
Fast setup and implementation with pre-validated protocols for assay setup
First-pass success with QIAGEN’s Investigator STR GO! Kits

Useful Resources

Advanced Workflow Solutions from Crime Scene to Court QIAGEN Paternity Testing Solutions Developmental Validation of STAR Q Punch AS and STAR Q Swab AS Instruments for PCR Setup of Investigator STR GO! Kits

STAR Q Swab AS Instrument

Cat. No. / ID: 9002652

Instrument with 1-year warranty on parts. For use with all commonly used swab types for human identity reference samples.

The STAR Q Swab AS Instrument is intended for molecular biology applications. This product is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.

Product Details

The STAR Q Swab AS Instrument automates sample pre-treatment and STR assay setup from human identity reference samples on swabs (e.g., database samples and paternity samples). The instrument is designed to work with all commonly used swab types and has pre-validated protocols for all Investigator STR GO! Kits (Investigator 24plex GO! Kit, Investigator ESSplex SE GO! Kit and Investigator IDplex GO! Kit). The STAR Q Swab AS combines QIAGEN’s expertise in performance and process safety with high-throughput liquid handling to enable processing of up to 384 samples per day with no compromise in quality.

Principle

The STAR Q Swab AS is a high-throughput (HTP) liquid handling platform designed for assay setup for downstream PCR analysis of human identity samples. The system is designed for processing reference samples in the form of buccal swabs and blood swabs and is compatible with most commonly used swab types (GE Healthcare Omni swabs, Sarstedt cotton swabs, Copan flocked swabs and Puritan polyester swabs).
The instrument uses dedicated Investigator GO! direct amplification chemistry for PCR setup and downstream STR analysis of samples. QIAGEN’s unique Quality Sensor makes sure that any sample failing to give optimal results in the first time round will be reprocessed – with the most appropriate rework strategy – to maximize your success rates and minimize your laboratory’s costs.
Outperforming most other HTP liquid handling systems, the STAR Q Swab AS comes with pre-validated protocols for sample pre-treatment and assay setup, so implementation is kept to a minimum.

Procedure

The STAR Q Swab AS comes ready to run, with all protocols pre-installed and fully validated. Our experienced application specialists will manage installation and training for you and ensure that the system is quickly up and running.
Swabs are placed into a 96-deep-well plate, which is loaded together with reagents and consumables onto the STAR Q Swab AS. The instrument performs safety checks and bar code scans and then adds a swab lysis buffer and carries out a brief pre-treatment step involving heating and shaking of the sample tubes. An aliquot of each sample is then removed and added to PCR tubes for STR PCR setup.
All protocols and other system functions are selected and controlled using a simple-to-use Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Applications

High-throughput lysis and PCR setup from samples collected on swabs
Genotyping, including databasing, fingerprinting and paternity analysis
Routine analysis of reference samples

Specifications

Features	Specifications
Voltage	115 VAC / 230 VAC
Temperature range	15–35°C
Work area dimensions	Width (x): 675 mm, Height (z): 145 mm, Depth (y): 497 mm
Maximum power consumption	600 VA or 1000 VA (depending on configuration)
Channels	8 channels
Power consumption	Standby power consumption: 100 VA Maximum power consumption: 600–1000 VA, depending on configuration
Noise level	<65 dBA (regarding EN27779) <46 dBA in standby mode
Relative humidity	30%–85% (non-condensing, indoors)
Delayed action fuse – 1000 VA	115 V: 10 A (T10AL250) 230 V: 5 A (T5AL250)
Heat	The power consumed will be transferred to head. E.g., 600 or 1000 watts of heat = 600 or 1000 joules/second
Communication	USB or RS232 with dual processor board Ethernet or USB with LAN dual processor board
Frequency	50/60 Hz ± 5%
Tip sizes	Intermediate volume 50 µl
Pollution degree	2
Storage conditions	Temperature range: –25 – +70°C Relative humidity: 10–90% (non-condensing, indoors)
Modal precision	x-y-z positional accuracy of 0.1 mm
Materials used in instrument and accessories	Steel: 1.4301, 1.4305, 1.4310, 1.4435 Aluminum: AA 5083.0, various anodizing Bronze Brass Brazing solder: Zinc Plastics: PE, PP, PTFE, PEEK, FFPM, EPT, EPDM, FPM, NBR, POM, PCDF, FFKM, Hypalon, SI, Kapton, Polyamide PCBs
Weight	135 kg
Dimensions	Width: 1124 mm, Height: 903 mm, Depth: 1006 mm
Delayed action fuse – 600 VA	115 V: 6.3 A (T6.3AL250) 230 V: 3.15 A (T3.15AL250)
Installation category	II
Transportation conditions	Temperature range: –25 – +70°C Relative humidity: 10–90% (non-condensing, indoors)
Use	Indoor use only
Recommended computer	Intel Core 2 Duo, ≥4 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive, 16x DVD ± RW, DirectX 250 MB graphic card, MS Windows 7 Professional
Altitude	Up to 2000 m (6500 ft)

Resources

Advanced sample collection, automation and STR solutions for kinship testing