The ABI 3130xl is available to high throughput users who have large projects (500+ reactions) and would like to learn how to run the machine themselves. High throughput users have access to the machine anytime the machine is not being used for low or medium throughput users. In practice this is usually after 5:00 pm Monday – Friday and all day Saturday (Use on Sunday is also available with proper training, see below and ask chris for detailed info).

Training to use the machine is available from Chris Shaffer .  The machine is fairly easy to use and training usually takes one or two sessions.  Training will include data entry, use of the machine, analysis of results, and data collection.

The cost for using the machine is $8 per run to cover the cost of disposables and $8 / hour to cover usage and the cost of the maintenance contract. Most users run a 1-hour protocol for each 16 sample run which results in a $1 per sample charge, however shorter (45 minute) and longer (2 hour) protocols are also available which may be more cost efficient depending on experimental design.

The total capacity of the machine for high throughput users is not unlimited. Monday through Friday the easily accessible capacity of the machine includes two entire 96-well plates each evening and perhaps another 32 – 48 samples each morning (only for those early risers who come in before 7:30 a.m).  There is also easily accessible capacity for three to four plates on Saturday. Samples can be run on Sunday, however the 48 hour recommended maximum lifetime for the running buffer means that users who wish to run samples on Sunday much be trained on the proper procedure to replenish the buffer prior to any Sunday sample runs. There are times when several high throughput users would like to use the machine for large projects at the same time. During these times it may be the case that users will be limited in the total amount of machine time they receive. Users are encouraged to plan their usage patterns carefully to avoid significant overlaps of demand among several users.

Users who run their own samples should understand that they are taking complete responsibility for their own results. This includes proper sample prep and usage of the machine as well as proper data management and analysis. They should understand that all samples are different and there is no guarantee that they will get suitable data from any run. Users who feel the machine is not running at specifications should certainly contact Chris  but be aware that the machine is evaluated daily and is very rarely running out of specifications.

Policy on capillary replacement:  The quality of the capillary is assessed at least two or three times a week. It is replaced when the 90th percentile sequence shows a double-T valley of 50% of peak height before base 600 when using the 1 hour DNA sequence protocol. Users should be aware that sample of low quality may be more sensitive to marginal capillaries. As such, users with this type of low quality sample, are encouraged to either avoid use of the machine when the capillary is near its endpoint or improve the quality of their reactions.