Re: short sequences problem

Hello,
since january we have been changing cappilaries every month. We have an ABI 3100 and work with POP-6 polymer in a 50 cm cappilary. First, we thought it was the PCR reactions but we send them to many other laboratories and they worked perfectly. Than, we bought standard reactions and when we change cappilaries for new ones, our reactions work very well, until 650-700 pb. After 60-100 runs, the standards and our reactions begun to sequence until 300 pb. We have already changed polymer seringes and conecting tubes and we coudn't see polymer leaks anywhere. We don't know what is going on since we tried many things and nothing worked.
Do you happen to know if there is a way to do cappilary cleaning. We have already passed hot polymer but it didn't worked.
Thank you.

Yes there is a way to clean capillaries. I will see if I can dig out the protocol for it.

Daniel Tillett
Nucleics Support

Thank you Daniel, it would be very usefull.

I now just have to find where I saved the document :)

Daniel Tillett
Nucleics Support

Hi Daniel,
With regard to cleaning capillaries,I would be interested in your protocol for that. We use the 3130xl automated sequencer. After approx 150 runs we buy new capillaries. Does this cleaning protocol extend their life beyond that?

best wishes
Bernie

Hi Bernie

Yes it does, but I can't find the protocol anymore :(

Daniel Tillett
Nucleics Support

We too run an AB 3130xl and have had trouble with arrays failing much earlier (150-250 runs) than they did in the past (350-400 runs) for the last couple of arrays. Is this a recent issue for other users as well?