User Friendly Operation and Information
Rich LCD Display
The 90mm x 120 mm, colour LCD screen is
touch-sensitive with intuitively designed software for quick selection by
sample type. Effortless step by step navigation and a virtual QWERTY keyboard
provide fast and efficient input and analysis. Data is displayed numerically
and also in a graphical format (where applicable) with the further option of
direct printing or storage in a SD card.
Nucleic Acid Analysis
The Halo DNAmaster is configured with
onboard functions for the quantification of nucleic acids. Select the nucleic
acid of choice such as double stranded DNA, single stranded DNA, RNA or
oligonucleotides and absorbance measurements at the prescribed wavelength are
directly converted into concentration units. The detection limit of the Halo
DNAmaster is 20ng/ (double stranded DNA).
The purity of nucleic acids can also be
determined from ratio calculations such as A260 / A280 nm for protein
contamination of DNA preparations. The
Halo DNAmaster can also measure concentrations DNA, RNA and oligonucloetide-dye
complexes.
Protein Analysis
The Halo DNAmaster measures protein
concentrations from a range of colorimetric assays such as Bradford, Lowry,
Biuret and BCA. In addition to numerical data the standard calibration curve
can be displayed. Furthermore measure
protein alone at 280nm or protein-dye complexes that absorb at 246nm.
Cell Culture Optical Density
The Halo DNAmaster also measures
bacterial cell density at 600nm.
Absorbance readings of approximately 0.4units define a bacterial culture
in exponential growth phase and at the most appropriate for harvesting or
induction.
Conventional Spectrophotometry
At the touch of the screen the Halo
DNAmaster converts into a conventional spectrophotometer for use with either
the Ultramicro cell or a standard 10mm optical path length quartz or glass
cuvette. It performs single wavelength
photometry in either absorbance or % transmittance mode including multiple
wavelength photometry for up to 6 user defined wavelengths in absorbance mode. Other functions include wavelength scans,
time scans for kinetic studies and concentration calculations from standard
curves.
Validation Functions
To ensure optimum instrument
performance, a self-diagnostic function incorporating a number of parameters is
executed each time the Halo DNAmaster is switched on including a selectable
GLP/GMP function.
Thoughtful design
Dynamica considered every detail in the
design of Halo DNAmaster, for example, the cuvette holder can
be removed for washing and it is
autoclavable for decontamination. A cover protects the cuvette holder and
detector from dust and dirt when the unit is not in use. The side mounted cuvette rack is detachable
for easy cleaning and a smaller footprint if bench space is at a premium.
Ultramicro cell
The Ultramicro cell utilizes
fibre-optic technology and is designed for measurement and analysis of
extremely small volumes of DNA/RNA samples with high accuracy and outstanding
reproducibility. In applications involving very high or very low DNA
concentrations, a single light path is often insufficient, however the
interchangeable cap of the Ultramicro cell imparts light paths of 1 mm and 0.2
mm respectively and effectively creates virtual dilutions to overcome such
situations. A further function of the cap is to prevent the sample from drying
up and to ensure that measurements remain reproducible since sample
characteristics can be affected by evaporation of the solvent.
Programmable Temperature Control Module
The DNAmaster temperature control
module utilizes a peltier regulated cell holder to control the sample
temperature from a range of +20 to +95 with 0.5 precision. Predominantly designed for the determination
of nucleic acid Tm (at 260nm) up to 4 heating profiles can be selected,
including 1/min, 2/min or a quick heat mode for heating up to a plateau
temperature of 50 at 5/min before ramping commences at 1/min or 2/min. The heated cell holder can also be used in
other applications requiring incubation and/or keeping a sample at a constant
temperature for example during kinetic analyses.