Turner BioSystems TBS-380 User manual

User’s Manual
TBS-380
Mini-Fluorometer
Operating Manual
Dated: 08/14/2007
Rev. E
645 N. Mary Avenue •Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: [phone] •Toll Free: [phone] •Fax: [phone]
www.turnerbiosystems.com

For the most current version of this manual, visit our
Customer Care Center at www.turnerbiosystems.com

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. Description .................................................................................................................................................3
1.2. Unpacking and Inspection..........................................................................................................................3
1.3. General Information and Precautions.........................................................................................................3
2. Quick View Diagram .........................................................................................................................................4
3. Instrument Parameters
3.1. Setup Flowchart .........................................................................................................................................6
3.2. Instrument Power Up.................................................................................................................................. 8
3.3. Fluorescence Channels..............................................................................................................................8
3.4. Calibration Standard Value.........................................................................................................................8
3.5. Calibration..................................................................................................................................................8
3.6. Sample Analysis......................................................................................................................................... 9
3.7. Internal Data Logging (IDL)...................................................................................................................... 10
3.8. Diagnostic Information.............................................................................................................................. 10
3.9. Solid Standard.......................................................................................................................................... 10
4. General Considerations for Analysis
4.1. Handling Samples.................................................................................................................................... 11
4.2. Linear Range and Quenching................................................................................................................... 11
4.3. Temperature Considerations.................................................................................................................... 11
4.4. Positioning Samples................................................................................................................................. 12
4.5. Data Quality.............................................................................................................................................. 12
5. Troubleshooting
5.1. Low or No Reading................................................................................................................................... 13
5.2. High or Over Reading............................................................................................................................... 13
5.3. Fluctuating Results................................................................................................................................... 13
6. Warranty
6.1. Terms....................................................................................................................................................... 14
6.2. Warranty Service...................................................................................................................................... 14
6.3. Out-of-Warranty Service........................................................................................................................... 15
Appendices:
A. Instrument Specifications
A1. General Specifications............................................................................................................................... 16
A2. Optical Specifications ................................................................................................................................ 16
B. Internal Data Logging
B1. Shipping Checklist..................................................................................................................................... 17
B2. Hardware Requirements............................................................................................................................ 17
B3. Software Installation.................................................................................................................................. 17
B4. Connecting ................................................................................................................................................ 17
B5. Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................................ 17

User Notes and Information
Date
Notes/Information

TBS-380 Mini-Fluorometer Operating Manual
3
1 Introduction
1.1 Description
The TBS-380 Mini-Fluorometer is a dual-channel fluorometer designed for quick, easy, and accurate
fluorescence measurements. When properly calibrated with a standard of known concentration, the TBS-
380 displays the actual concentration of the measured compound. The new Minicell adaptor design
enables the user to measure compounds at a low concentration with a low assay volume (e.g. dsDNA at
1ng/mL using PicoGreen, and RNA at 1 ng/mL using RiboGreen).
1.2 Unpacking and Inspection
Upon receiving your instrument, inspect everything carefully and make sure all accessories are present
(refer to the packing list shipped with the instrument). All shipments include:
•TBS-380 Mini-Fluorometer
•TBS-380 User’s Manual
•TBS-380 Quick Reference Guide
•Power supply
•RS-232 cable
•Spreadsheet Interface software (one CD) and Instructions
1.2.1 Setup
To get started (see Section 2. Quick View Diagram):
1. Position the instrument on a flat surface.
2. Assemble the power supply: choose the proper AC clip for your outlet and slide it on to the AC
adaptor.
3. Plug the power supply into the TBS-380 (see Section 2. Quick View Diagram).Be sure to use
only the power supply provided with your instrument by Turner BioSystems. Powering the
instrument with an unapproved power supply may damage the unit.
4. To turn on the TBS-380, press the ON/OFF button. The instrument takes 5 seconds to warm up.
After the warm-up, the TBS-380 is ready for operation.
5. To adjust the brightness of the LCD, press the UP or DOWN ARROW buttons.
1.3 General Information and Precautions
The sample compartment cannot accept glass or quartz cuvettes, except when using Minicell adaptor.
1. A minimum volume of 2 mL is required when using the 10x10 mm cuvette.
2. A minimum volume of 50 µL in a Minicell is required.
3. Avoid having any air bubbles in your sample. They can significantly affect the fluorescence reading.
4. When the Minicell is used, make sure to place the Minicell adaptor in the correct orientation.
If BLUE channel is selected, insert the Minicell adaptor in the sample compartment with the tab away
from you and the “BLUE” label facing you. If UV channel is selected, insert the Minicell adaptor in the
sample compartment with the tab close to you and the “UV” label facing you (see Section 2. Quick
View Diagram).

TBS-380 Mini-Fluorometer Operating Manual
4
2 Quick View Diagram
Sample
Compartment
LCD Screen
ON/OFF button
10x10 mm Cuvette Holders
Minicell Cuvette Holders
Serial Port
Power Supply Input
Positioning the Minicell Adaptor
BLUE Position
UV Position

TBS-380 Mini-Fluorometer Operating Manual
5
2 Quick View Diagram - Continued
Indicates which channel
is active (UV or BLUE).
A/B button. Press to
select appropriate
channel (UV or BLUE).
ESC button.
ON/OFF button.
Turns the instrument on
and off.
UP ARROW button
STD VAL button.
Press to set numeric
value for the standard
solution.
DATA button. Press to
access IDL screens
(Internal Data Logging.)
Fluorescence Reading.
SET button. Press to
select sample analysis
mode (Discrete or
Continuous).
READ button. Press to
access READ screens.
CAL button. Press to
access CALIBRATION
screens.
DOWN ARROW
button.
ENTER button.
DIAG button. Press to
access DIAGNOSTICS
screens.

TBS-380 Mini-Fluorometer Operating Manual
6
3 Instrument Parameters
3.1 Setup Flowchart
TBS-380
Version 29 0607
X.X
UV
5 second warm up
Indicates Fluorescence
Reading and activity of IDL
Indicates which channel is
active (UV or BLUE)
X.X
UV
X.X
BLUE
HOME screen
Cal Val: XX.X
<UP/DOWN> UV
3.5Press
CAL
button to
calibrate instrument
Logging Points
Left: XXX
RFU-BLK: X.X
RFU-STD: X.X
Press
ENTER
button to
toggle between screens
Calib UV
<ENT> to start
Press
ENTER
button to
move to next screen
Insert Blank
Then press <ENT>
Press ENTER button to
begin reading blank
Reading Blank
XX.X
Insert Cal Soln
then press <ENT>
Press ENTER button to
begin reading cal solution
Calib Complete
press <ENT>
Press
ENTER
button to
accept calibration
If ENTER button is not
pressed within seconds, the
following screen will
appear:
Abort Cal?
<↑> Yes <↓> No
3.7Press
DATA
button to
access Data Logging
Datalogger:
<DATA> to toggle
Download data:
5X<ENT> to start
Data logger has
no valid data!
Erase Data
5X <ENT> to start
Press ENTER button five
times to begin download
If no data is logged the
following screen will
appear:
Press ENTER button five
times to begin erasing data
Erase Data
All data erased
Press DATA button once for
Data Logging status
Press DATA button twice to
download data
Press DATA button three
times to erase data
Status: Stop
<ENT> to toggle
Status: Logging
<ENT> to toggle
Press ENTER button to
toggle between screens
3.9After calibration, insert the Solid
Standard and press the READ button.
Confirm that the value does not deviate
from previously recorded value by 5% or
more. If it does, recalibrate the instrument.
If it does not, record the reading.
3.2 Press
↑
or
↓
buttons
to adjust brightness of LCD
3.3Press A/B button to
switch between UV and
BLUE
3.4Press
STD VAL
button
to view value of standard
3.8Press
DIAG
button to
view Diagnostics Screens
Press ESC button to return
to the HOME screen
Press ESC button to return
to the HOME screen
Press ESC button to return
to the HOME screen
Continued on next page
3.9If the message Standard<Blank,
Recalibrate appears, we recommend the
standard concentration be increased by
10X or examine the blank for high
fluorescence background.

TBS-380 Mini-Fluorometer Operating Manual
7
TBS-380
Version 29 0607
X.X
UV
5 second warm up
HOME screen
3.6 Press SET button to set
Read Mode
Read Mode:
Discrete
Read Mode:
Continuous
Press ↑or ↓buttons
to toggle between modes
Press ENTER
Reading
UV
Insert Sample and press
READ
button
WAIT XXX.X
UV
NOTE: We recommend
connection to a PC or
printer for continuous mode
readings
Press ENTER button
Continuous Meas
Interval: 5 sec
Press ↑or ↓buttons
to change interval time
Cont Meas Count
(10-100) XX
Press ↑or ↓buttons
to change number of samples
Press ENTER button
XXX.X
UV
Press READ button
CONT: count = XX
<ENT> int = X sec
Press ENTER button
Insert Sample
Press <ENTER>
Insert sample and press
ENTER
button
READING #X /XX
WAITING #X /XX
XX.X
XXX.X
UV
Once WAIT disappears,
another sample can be read
3.6.1 3.6.2
XXX.X
UV
Press ENTER button
Continued from previous page

TBS-380 Mini-Fluorometer Operating Manual
8
3.2 Instrument Power Up
To turn on the TBS-380, press the ON/OFF button. The instrument takes 5 seconds to warm up. After
the warm-up, the TBS-380 is ready for operation.
To adjust the brightness of the LCD, press the UP or DOWN ARROW buttons.
3.3 Fluorescence Channels
Choose the appropriate channel for your analysis. To do this, press the A/B button to toggle between the
2 channels. The activated channel name will be displayed in the lower left corner of the HOME screen.
UV = Ultra Violet excitation
Blue = Blue excitation
See Appendix A for Optical (Wavelength) Specifications.
3.4 Calibration Standard Value
Before performing a calibration, assign a numeric value between 1 and 999 for your standard solution.
(e.g. enter 100 if your calibration standard is 100 ng/mL).
1. Press the STD VAL button. Note: If no action is taken within 5 seconds of pressing the STD VAL
button the instrument will default back to the HOME screen.
2. Use the UP or DOWN ARROW buttons to adjust the standard value. Holding the button down will
activate faster scrolling.
3. When finished, press the ENTER button to accept the value and return to the HOME screen.
3.5 Calibration
1. Press the CAL button.
2. Press the ENTER button to start the calibration.
3. Insert your blank and press the ENTER button. The TBS-380 will average the blank fluorescence for
5 seconds.
NOTE: Be sure to insert the Minicell adaptor in the correct orientation when the Minicell is used (see
1.3.5).
4. Insert the calibration standard and press the ENTER button. The TBS-380 will average the standard
fluorescence for 5 seconds.
5. To accept the calibration, press the ENTER button when the calibration is complete to accept the
calibration. If ENTER is not pressed within 10 seconds, a dialog will appear asking the user if
aborting the calibration is desired. Press the UP or DOWN ARROW button to abort or accept the
calibration, respectively.
If desired, press the ESC button at any time during steps 1-4 to stop the calibration. The TBS-380 will
return to the HOME screen and default back to the previous calibration.
NOTE: In the event that the Blank concentration is greater than the Standard concentration, the
following error message will appear. We recommend increasing the concentration of the standard by
10X or examine the blank for high fluorescence background.
Standard<Blank
Recalibrate