Calibration Check Procedure - NanoDrop

T030 INSTRUCTIONS NanoDrop 8000
Calibration Check Best Practices
The Thermo Scientific NanoDrop 8000 Calibration Check diagnostic utilizes five repeat measurements to verify the pathlength
calibration. It is important to pay careful attention to technique when performing this procedure, as a single outlier caused by
user error can result in a failed calibration check on one or more pedestals.
• Position the instrument at an angle that will allow for optimal use of the pipette guide.
• Ensure the NanoDrop 8000 is not situated near an air vent or an exhaust fan from a
nearby instrument.
• Do not open the CF-1 ampoule until ready to perform the calibration check.
• Aliquot 60 uL of CF-1 into each of the 8 tubes in the PCR strip. A volume of 60 ul in each PCR tube is required
to reduce the effects of evaporation and potential fluid concentration.
• Use a small-volume (0.5-10 uL) multi-channel pipettor. If using an electronic pipettor do not draw up a large volumes
to dispense multiple aliquots. The CF-1 reserve stored in the tips may begin to concentrate, affecting the quality of
results. Draw and dispense individual 1.5 uL aliquots for each measurement cycle.
• Ensure that adequate volumes of CF-1 are being pipetted onto the center of each pedestal. If tips are not
seated properly on each channel of a multi-channel pipettor, they may not properly draw up, or dispense an adequate volume
onto each pedestal. Columns that are too thin, or shifted off to one side may not completely cover the fiber-optic center of
each pedestal.
Pre-Calibration Check Cleaning Instructions
Wiping the sample from both the upper and lower measurement surfaces upon completion of each sample measurement is
usually sufficient to prevent sample carryover and avoid residue buildup. However, reagents and buffers may contain surfactants
that will “un-condition” the measurement surfaces, therefore it is a good practice to use the NanoDrop Pedestal Reconditioning
Compound (PR-1) as a rapid means of reconditioning the pedestals prior to performing the calibration check.
1. Open the vial containing PR-1 and use the applicator provided in the kit to remove a pin-head sized amount of the
compound.
2. Apply a very thin, even layer of PR-1 to the surface of the upper and lower pedestals.
3. Wait 30 seconds for the PR-1 to dry.
4. Fold a clean, dry laboratory wipe into quarters and remove the PR-1 by aggressively rubbing
the surface of the upper and lower measurement surfaces until all compound residue is removed and an
aliquot of water “beads up” on the surface.
Note: The residue on the lab wipe may appear black. This is normal.
Rev 6/09
Thermo Fisher Scientific - NanoDrop products Wilmington, Delaware USA Technical support: info@nanodrop.com 302-479-7707 www.nanodrop.com