GENERAL
SAMPLE PREPARATION KIT
ZIPLEX ASSAY REAGENT KIT
TIPCHIPS
ZIPLEX AUTOMATED WORKSTATION
ZIPLEX SOFTWARE
GENE EXPRESSION SERVICES
Q: How do I contact Xceed Molecular Technical Support?
A: You can either call us toll free at 1-866-923-3363 or email us at techsupport@xceedmolecular.com between
the hours of 9a.m. and 8p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Q: How do I contact Xceed Molecular’s Customer Service?
A: You can either call us toll free at 1-866-923-3363 or email us at orders@xceedmolecular.com between the hours
of 9a.m. and 5p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Q: What training is provided with the Ziplex System?
A: Initial operator training is provided with the installation of your Ziplex System. Additional training sessions can be ordered by contacting your Sales
Manager or by contacting Xceed Molecular Customer Service.
Q: Is there a list of products and supplies you recommend for use with the Ziplex System?
A: Yes. Click here
Q: What sample preparation kit does Xceed recommend?
A: Xceed recommends using the Ambion TotalPrep™ RNA Amplification Kit (Cat# AMIL1791) which is based on the in vitro transcription protocol developed by
James Eberwine (Van Gelder et al. 1990).
Q: What should I do if I have questions about the Ambion sample preparation kit?
A: Contact Ambion technical support directly (see www.ambion.com for details).
Q: What kind of samples can I use with the Ziplex System?
A: Blood and tissue samples are compatible for use with the Ziplex System.
Q: How do I order more Ziplex Assay Reagent Kits?
A: Call Xceed Molecular Customer Service at 1-866-923-3363 or email at orders@xceedmolecular.com and order Cat# 26210-01.
Q: What is the shelf-life of the Ziplex Assay Reagent Kit?
A: 12 months
Q: What are the storage requirements for the Ziplex Assay Reagent Kit?
A: Ziplex Assay Reagent Kits should be stored between 2 – 8oC.
Q: How many reactions does the Ziplex Assay Reagent Kit contain?
A: The Ziplex Assay Reagent Kit contains sufficient reagents to run 48 samples.
Q: How do I order more TipChips?
A: Call Xceed Molecular Customer Service at 1-866-923-3363 or email at orders@xceedmolecular.com.
Q: What is the shelf-life of TipChips?
A: 6 months
Q: What are the storage requirements for TipChips?
A: TipChips should be stored 2 – 8oC.
Q: Do TipChips require special handling?
A: TipChips should be handled with care taken to avoid any damage to the wafer.
Q: How many times can I use a TipChip?
A: The TipChip is designed to be a single-use item.
Q: What is the difference between Xpress Chips and Autograph Chips?
A: Xpress Chips are pre-configured TipChips targeting gene signatures for various diseases and conditions. Autograph Chips are custom-designed
TipChips for a customer specific application. Contact your Sales Manager or Xceed Molecular Customer Service for more details on ordering Autograph Chips.
Q: Can the system be run overnight?
A: Yes. The Ziplex System is designed to run unattended and will enter a standby mode once the run is complete
Q: Is there a warm-up period for the Ziplex Automated Workstation when I first turn it on?
A: No. The system is ready for use as soon as you turn it on
Q: Does the Ziplex Automated Workstation require a system flush or lengthy shut-down procedure?
A: No. If the Workstation will be inactive for more than a week, we recommend you simply turn the instrument and monitor power off. There is no
lengthy system shut-down procedure required.
Q: Where should I place my Ziplex Automated Workstation in my lab?
A: The Workstation should be placed in a room that has good ventilation. The Workstation should be kept away from direct sunlight since this may interfere
with the image capture system.
Q: Do I need to perform calibration or maintenance on the Ziplex Automated Workstation?
A: No. All calibration and maintenance must be performed by a qualified Xceed Molecular Service Engineer.
Q: Does Xceed Molecular offer a preventative maintenance schedule?
A: Yes. Call Xceed Molecular Customer Service at 1-866-923-3363 and speak to a Customer Service Representative for details.
Q: How often should I archive my run data to prevent the Workstation from filling up?
A: The Ziplex System has an on-board hard drive that can store approximately 1300 runs. The purpose of the hard drive is to provide temporary storage of
run data prior to you exporting the runs for analysis and archiving. Run data can be deleted any time after you verify the integrity of the exported data files.
Q: Is there a risk of contamination from run to run?
A: It is extremely important to discard both the TipChips and the uniplates after each run. This prevents run to run contamination and ensures that you
will get accurate results with the Ziplex System.
Q: How do I order more 96-well Uniplates®?
A: Xceed recommends using the Whatman 96-well Uniplate. These can be ordered directly from Whatman with Cat# 7701-1651.
Q: Can I use the Ziplex Automated Workstation for other computing tasks?
A: No. The Workstation is a dedicated gene expression platform and cannot be used for other tasks.
Q: How do I check what version of software I have?
A: Click the circular "i" button located in the top-right corner of all Ziplex Software screens and the software version information is displayed.
Q: How do I know if I have the most recent software version? How do I get software updates?
A: Call Xceed Molecular Customer Service at 1-866-923-3363 and speak to a Customer Service Representative for details on obtaining the latest version
of Ziplex Software.
Q: What steps does the software perform?
A: The Ziplex Software automatically performs hybridization, labeling, and image capture, and data output.
Q: Will my data and samples be kept confidential?
A: Yes. Xceed maintains confidentiality on all customer services projects.
Q: How do I format my gene list before sending it to Xceed Molecular?
A: A Microsoft Excel worksheet file format is recommended. Please list each sequence, probe, or gene symbol ID entry on a different line of the same column.
Please provide NCBI RefSeq RNA gene IDs when possible. Other information that permits the reliable identification of accession numbers in public databases is also acceptable.
Q: What protocol do you follow to design probes for my target genes?
A: We identify a list of NCBI RefSeq RNA database sequence IDs that correspond to your genes. A validated probe design software package is then used to identify
unique sequence regions in each gene sequence and to design probes within these regions. Our software then ranks all potential probes according to how well they conform
to Xceed's Ziplex System requirements.
Q: How do I send my samples to Xceed Molecular for analysis?
A: Samples should be packed in a well insulated styrofoam container with at least 6kg of dry ice and shipped overnight to Xceed. Xceed will provide you with
a Sample Submission Form, instructions on how to pack / ship samples, a sample commercial invoice and FedEx Expanded Service Waybill and account number. Please
contact your Sales Manager or Customer Service for more information.
Q: How much of each sample do I need to send?
A: Generally we request that each customer send 1.2μg of each sample: approximately 200ng for sample QC and two 500ng aliquots for separate amplification
reactions. We have, however, successfully amplified smaller amounts of sample in the past (as little as 500ng of total RNA). Talk to your Sales Manager if you
have sample quantities significantly smaller than our recommended amount.
Q: What controls do you use?
A: Xceed Molecular TipChips have several types of control probes as follows:
- Every TipChip has control probes for assessing hybridization selectivity.
- Probes targeting the 5' and 3' regions of commonly used housekeeping genes are used to assess amplified sample quality.
- Negative control probes targeting non-human sequences are present to measure hybridization background signal levels and specificity.
Additionally, during sample amplification several aliquots of control RNA are amplified in parallel with the customer samples. Each control sample yield and
quality is measured and compared to expected results to ensure consistency of the amplification reagents and technical performance.
Q: What do I receive at the end of the project?
A: At the end of the project Xceed will provide you with a report which will include a summary of the sample QC and amplification results as well as Xceed's
expert analysis of the project results.
Q: What happens to remaining samples that are not used for my project?
A: Samples are discarded after a period of two years from date of receipt unless other arrangements are made.
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