NGS laboratory instrument maintenance

The maintenance of NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) laboratory instruments is an important step in ensuring the accuracy of experimental data and long-term stable operation of the instrument. Through regular maintenance, professional calibration and meticulous cleaning and maintenance measures, potential failures can be effectively prevented and optimized. Instrument performance.

1. Regular cleaning

1. External cleaning: Use a soft cloth or special cleaner to wipe the instrument case. Avoid using corrosive liquids or hard brushes to prevent scratching the instrument surface.

2. Internal cleaning: Removable parts, such as inlets, lenses, etc., should be disassembled and cleaned regularly to remove dust, dirt and residues. When cleaning, avoid water droplets entering the instrument to avoid damaging the circuit or affecting performance.

2. Regular inspection and maintenance

1. Check the power cord and plug: Make sure the power cord is not damaged and the plug is firmly connected to avoid instrument damage or safety accidents due to poor contact.

2. Check mechanical components: such as transmission shafts, sliding rails, etc., to see if they are flexible and move smoothly. If they are worn or loose, they should be dealt with in time.

3. Replace consumables: Regularly replace wearing parts such as filter elements and sealing rings to ensure that the internal environment of the instrument is clean and prevent contamination.

3. Regular calibration

Calibrate the instrument regularly in accordance with national standards or instrument instructions, including rotation speed, timing function, measurement range, accuracy and linearity, etc., to ensure the accuracy of measurement results. Standard instruments should be used during calibration and calibration procedures should be strictly followed.

4. Dust-proof and moisture-proof

1. Dust-proof measures: Set up a dust-proof cover around the instrument or clean the experimental bench regularly to reduce dust accumulation. For instruments that are not commonly used, they must be cleaned and dusted regularly to prevent components from being damaged by moisture.

2. Moisture-proof measures: Keep the laboratory environment dry to avoid moisture damage to the instrument. For instruments that need to be kept in a dry environment, such as electron microscopes, special attention should be paid to moisture-proofing.

5. Other matters needing attention

1. Avoid overload use: Do not overload the centrifuge or other equipment to avoid overloading the instrument, damaging components or reducing performance.

2. Safe operation: Strengthen laboratory safety awareness education and remind users to pay attention to electricity safety, chemical safety and personal protection. During operation, the operating procedures should be strictly followed to avoid damage to the instrument such as impact, falling, etc.

3. Professional training: Provide systematic operational training to new employees and instrument users to ensure that they master correct usage methods and maintenance knowledge. Especially for the use of large-scale precision instruments and equipment, the certificate-based employment system must be strictly implemented.

6. Establish maintenance files

Establish instrument maintenance files to record in detail the time, content, parts replaced and problems found for each maintenance, to facilitate follow-up tracking and improvement. At the same time, this is also an important basis for evaluating instrument performance and formulating maintenance plans.

The maintenance of NGS laboratory instruments requires the joint efforts of scientific researchers and managers, starting from daily details to ensure that each instrument is in optimal working condition. Only in this way can we provide a strong guarantee for the smooth development of scientific research activities.