QualAssure Solutions for MVS
Optimize your automated liquid handlers with the ideal liquid for your application.
MVS QualAssure solutions can measure performance over a wide volume range of 0.0001 to 350 µL. QualAssure solutions are available for aqueous and non-aqueous volume transfers, including dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and PCR master mix-like (PCRMix).
Introducing the new PCRMix
Do you know what volume of master mix you are delivering?
The PCRMix QualAssure are being produced as a reliable way of optimizing automated liquid handlers so that they deliver the correct volume of PCR master mix. Delivering the expected volume of master mix can have implications for reducing false or inconsistent results.
According to customers using the PCRMix QualAssure solution, they found that it behaves like the commercial master mixes they are using and therefore meets their needs. They also indicate that integrating PCRMix into their workflow ensures accurate assay results.
Dr. Melinda Gold
Product Manager
Related Resources
Optimizing liquid classes can seem tedious but with an MVS, the process is fast and straightforward. Simply set up your assay and use the MVS reagent that best mimics your liquid. You can test different liquid class settings and then use the MVS to measure how the setting affects liquid handling accuracy and precision.
The above statistics presented in the “Before and After” ALH liquid class optimization figure demonstrate how optimizing liquid classes can improve accuracy and precision, ensuring reproducible results.
Aqueous QualAssure solutions will help you:
- Verify the accuracy and precision of all automated liquid handlers (1–384 dispensing tips) and handheld multichannel pipettes
- Measure performance over a wide volume range of 0.0001 to 350 µL
- Easily optimize liquid delivery volumes
![]() |
![]() |
Figure 1. This data demonstrates the difference in dispensed volume with Aqueous QualASsure and PCRMix QualAssure at ~4°C using an ALH optimized with PCRMix QualAssure solution to dispense 9.9µL. | Figure 2. This data demonstrates a comparison of PCRMix Sample Solution to the pipetted volumes of leading commercial master mix at ~4°C using an ALH optimized with PCRMix Sample Solution. |
Under-Delivery of qPCR Master Mix Alters Assay Results
The volume of PCR master mix can have a direct effect on qPCR results. qPCR reaction accuracy is dependent on the master mix performance and the volume added. Under-delivery of master mix can lead to unexpected Cq values. In this example, if the scientist had accidentally underdelivered the master mix by 40% (they should have delivered 10uL but actually delivered 6uL) the results would have yielded a Cq value significantly higher than if the correct volume of master mix had been dispensed. Falsely high Cq values translates to improper quantification of gene of interest in the sample by producing a false low concentration. This further translates to the possibility of mis-diagnosing a patient. All because an incorrect volume of master mix had been dispensed.
PCRMix QualAssure solutions will help you:
-
- Ensure master mix delivery volume is accurate and precise
- Decrease variability of PCR assay results and even false results
“The new PCRMix is another tool in Artel’s toolbox, allowing quick optimization of liquid classes for tricky pipetting of viscous liquids, particularly at small volumes.”
Artel Customer
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has become one of the most important solvents used for high-throughput screening (HTS) and compound management applications due to its ability to readily dissolve a wide range of compounds. DMSO has very different physical properties than water it behaves differently when handled by air-displacement pipettors, automated liquid handlers or acoustic droplet ejectors, creating the need for a solvent-specific volume verification method such as that provided by the DMSO QualAssure for the MVS. The MVS DMSO QualAssure solutions can measure performance over a wide volume range of 0.0001 to 9.999 µL.
A 100% DMSO QualAsssure solution has been developed for use with the MVS. DMSO QualAssure is capable of measuring volumes down to 10 nL. As with all MVS QualAssure solutions, results are traceable to international standards.
Research has shown that the volumes dispensed during drug screening programs can have a significant effect on the results obtained by assay screens.1 Any error made during these deliveries affects the concentration of the drug candidate and can lead to misleading data about compound activity being generated.
DMSO has very different physical properties than water, the liquid most commonly used for calibration and performance verification, therefore, it behaves differently when handled by air-displacement pipettors or acoustic droplet ejectors, creating the need for a solvent-specific volume verification methods, which is provided by DMSO E for the MVS.
Artel has developed and characterized a 100% DMSO-based dye solution for use with the Artel MVS® Multichannel Verification System. This article discusses the challenges and performance capabilities of a DMSO-based dual-dye solution developed for the MVS. The DMSO-based solution is capable of measuring dispensed volumes as small as 10 nL. Data presented suggests that if two successive liquid transfers are inaccurate, critical reagent concentrations could be affected by as much as 50%.2
This data demonstrates that 100% DMSO E adds a significant capability to the MVS for measuring liquid handling instrument performance. This capability answers the need for those scientists working in the drug discovery arena for a fast and reliable method to verify that their liquid handling instruments are accurately and precisely dispensing DMSO-based solutions.
DMSO-based QualAssure solutions will help you:
- Ensure concentrations of compounds in assay plates by measuring nL volumes of 100% DMSO
- Measure performance of acoustic dispensing systems and other low-volume liquid dispensers
- Standardize nL volume delivery across liquid handler types with DMSO- and aqueous-based solutions
Customer Testimonial
“Our laboratory has used Artel’s MVS for the last five years to validate volume transfers for our automated liquid handling devices. While the MVS has proved valuable as an easy to use aqueous liquid volume validation, most of our liquid transfers involve moving our compound library which is solvated in DMSO. We are eagerly looking forward to Artel’s new DMSO-based Sample Solutions to make it even easier to validate the liquid transfers of DMSO solutions on our systems.”
Jason Haelewyn, Celgen
Custom test liquids using assay-specific reagents can be prepared and employed to assess volume transfer performance of a liquid handler or multichannel pipettes using the Artel MVS. Aqueous dye-based MVS Stock Solution is combined with a solvent-of-interest to create the alternative test solution. Alternative Solutions can be made for Target volumes between 0.1 and 49.9 µL in a 96 Well Standard Profile plate, or between 0.03 and 9.9 µL in a 384 Well Standard Profile plate.
Custom test liquids can be prepared to assess liquid handler performance for assay-specific reagents. There are, however, many considerations when preparing and testing alternative test solutions.
Technical Services
Artel’s dedicated metrologists, scientists, engineers, and support specialists are here to answer your questions, troubleshoot problems, and help you ensure accurate, precise liquid delivery for reliable assay results.
Tel: 1-888-406-3463, opt 2 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET)
Email: support@artel.co
Online: Submit online request
Ordering
Please place orders by telephone, fax, email, or mail. Our customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Phone: 207-854-0860 | 888-406-3463 toll-free (U.S. and Canada)
Email: orders@artel.co
25 Bradley Drive
Westbrook, ME 04092 USA
International
Fax*: 207-854-0867
*Please include a fax number or email address for confirmation of fax orders.
Orders From outside the U.S. and Canada, please see our International Distributor List for contact information.
