Verification of Foreign DNA

Purification and extraction

Food & beverage labs often need to verify the absence of foreign DNA (bacteria, GMO, etc.) in food samples. DNA needs to be extracted and purified before it can go into analysis. This step is especially significant–if DNA is lost or a bias for certain DNA regions occurs, it can never be correct in the following steps. Also, PCR inhibitors need to be separated here to guarantee powerful amplification of the target DNA and to avoid false-negative results. In this workstep, you have always the choice between manual (centrifuge, pipettes, tubes) or automated DNA purification (epMotion®).

Amplification and detection

Food & beverage labs often need to verify the absence of foreign DNA (bacteria, GMO, etc.) in food samples. In this workflow, the step of amplification and detection of the DNA is crucial. The power of PCR with its logarithmic amplification is still unbeaten for this task. Getting correct results quickly in this workflow means a lot in food production and delivery.

Enrichment

Enrichment

Enrichment is optional, depending on your assay and your cells of interest. However, as the first step in your workflow, it can be of utmost importance. If the enrichment does not work properly, all downstream steps will be at risk.

  • Pipette controllers
    • Greater meniscus control through smooth speed setting
    • Long cordless runtime by lithium polymer rechargeable battery
    • No interruption of work by operation while recharging
    • Autoclavable adapter for sterile applications
  • Serological Pipettes
    • Easy volume determination by clear graduations
    • Easy pipet identification by color code
    • Convenient storage and usage by smart packaging
    • USP Class VI-compliant
    • Non-cytotoxic and certified absence of detectable pyrogens, DNA, RNase, and DNase
  • Shakers
    • Stackable — up to three units
      for maximum space saving
    • Triple-eccentric counterbal - anced drive in cast iron housing
      provides vibration and trouble- free operation for year
    • Quiet operation provides a favor - able work environment
    • Shaking speeds between 25 – 400 rpm (+/- 1 rpm)
Preparation

Preparation

In food analysis, the primary material can come from a vast variety of sources and bring along a lot of unique challenges. Cooling, heating, mixing, spinning - all or any of these steps can be necessary. The one thing that combines all these steps is the pipette.

  • Pipettes and tips
    • Intuitive operating concept for quick and easy work
    • Fatigue-free pipetting
    • Powerful rechargeable battery
       

       

  • Tubes and plates
    • Highest sample integrity due to the usage of high quality virgin raw material and the avoidance of any plasticizers, slip agents, and biocides during manufacturing
    • Five purity grades available
    • OptiTrack®: Faster well identification and less pipetting errors via high-contrast alphanumeric labeling

       

  • Thermo mixing devices
    • Two-in-one instruments for combined incubating and mixing
    • Superior mixing performance due to 2D Mix-Control
    • Simple and intuitive operation using pre-defined temperature keys
    • Eppendorf ThermoTop® reliably prevents condensation
Purification and extraction

Purification and extraction

DNA needs to be extracted and purified before it can go into analysis. This step is especially crucial - if DNA is lost or a bias for certain DNA regions occurs, it can never be correct in the following steps. Also, PCR inhibitors need to be separated here to guarantee powerful amplification of the target DNA and to avoid false-negative results

  • Centrifuges and rotors
    • Small footprints and low access heights
    • Large variety of centrifuges and rotors available
    • Eppendorf QuickLock® — System for quickly opening and closing
      the rotor
    • PTFE-coated rotors for increased chemical resistance available
  • Automation
    • epMotion® systems are available in three sizes, all designed with
      minimal footprint
    • Self-checking robotic system, that reduces startup time
    • High precision dispensing tools for 1 to 1000 μL in one or eight
      channels (autoclavable)
    • Flexibility for ThermoMixer®, vacuum or magnetic separation,
      UV & HEPA
  • Tubes and plates
    • Eppendorf LoBind® Tubes and Plates minimize sample loss
    • High g-Safe® centrifugation stability
    • User-friendly lid design of the Eppendorf Tubes® allows
      one-handed operation
Quantification and analysis

Quantification and analysis

Only a reliable analysis of your DNA concentration and integrity allows you start the following steps with the correct concentrations. Additionally, this analysis will show the quality of the previous steps.

  • Cuvettes
    • Individually packed cuvettes with lot specific certified quality
      to guarantee highest purity
    • Cuvettes in reclosable boxes for convenient access and filling
    • Different volumes from 1.5 μL up to 4,500 μL
    • Perform UV/Vis, Vis, fluorescence or kinetic measurements
      in our cuvettes
  • Microvolume cuvette
    • Microvolume measuring cell for measuring 1.5 - 10 µL sample volumes
    • Low self-absorption (≤0.05 A @ 260 nm)
    • Hydrophobic surface coating on quartz glass for precise formation and positioning of the sample volume
    • Simple cleaning to minimize the risk of sample carry-over
    • A defined angle for folding the sides of the cuvette quarantees reproducible handling
Amplification and detection

Quantification and analysis

The power of PCR with its logarythmic amplification is still unbeaten in life sciences. A billion copies
of the same molecule at your hands for analysis. That's where you can make sure you do not have unwanted organisms in your food. Getting these results quickly means a lot in food production and delivery

  • Thermocyclers
    • Amplification and Detection Storage
    • Perform UV/Vis, Vis, fluorescence (top and bottom) or kinetic
      measurements
    • Ultimate reduction of evaporation
    • Intuitive graphic programming
    • Gradient blocks with SteadySlope® technology
  • PCR Consumables
    • Thin-walled polypropylene wells guarantee optimum heat transfer
      to the sample
    • Five different colors help to organize your workflows
    • Certified free of any detectable human DNA, DNase, RNase, and
      PCR inhibitors
Storage

Storage

In a world of HACCP and increased public awareness of food scandals, storage of samples plays a very important role. Thus, more and more samples will be stored longer and longer. More freezer capacity is needed and samples need to be stored at defined conditions, eventually for decades to come!

  • Freezers
    • More storage capacity with equal size
    • Quick temperature pull down and recovery times
    • Advanced lock and alarm features for improved sample security
  • Deepwell Plates
    • OptiTrack® matrix: 30 % faster sample identification and fewer
      pipetting errors via high-contrast alphanumeric labeling
    • Conical RecoverMax® well design: Optimized well geometry for maximum sample recovery and excellent mixing properties
    • Minimal remaining volume and high uniformity from well to well
    • Raised well rims and smooth surface for reliable closing, even with
      heat sealing
    • Easy and reliable stacking
  • Concentrator plus
    • Extremely quiet operation < 50 dB(A)
    • Chemical-resistant, maintenance-free PTFE diaphragm pump eliminates the need for changing pump oil
    • Small footprint saves valuable bench space
    • Motorless induction drive and chemical-resistant, stainless steel
      chamber for trouble-free operation