QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit

For automated purification of DNA from 1–96 samples on the QIAsymphony SP Instrument

S_1084_5_GEN_V2

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QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit (192)

Cat. No. / ID:   931436

For 192 preps of 200 µl each from casework and reference samples: includes 2 reagent cartridges, 2 enzyme racks and accessories
The QIAsymphony Investigator Kit is intended for molecular biology applications in forensic, human identity, and paternity testing. This product is not intended for diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.

✓ 24/7 automatic processing of online orders

✓ Knowledgeable and professional Product & Technical Support

✓ Fast and reliable (re)-ordering

Features

  • Purification from forensic and human identity samples
  • More efficient yields from trace casework samples
  • Higher signal-to-noise ratios
  • Novel, prefilled reagent cartridges for ease of use
  • High reproducibility through standardized processing

Product Details

The QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit enables automated purification of genomic DNA from 1-96 samples, such as swabs, filters, casework or crime-scene samples, and blood on the QIAsymphony SP. Purification is efficient, and purified DNA performs well in downstream analyses, such as quantitative PCR and STR analysis, with high signal-to-noise ratios. The QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit meets ISO 18385 requirements.

Performance

The QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit enables highly efficient purification of DNA, even from very small amounts of sample material. The combination of sample input volumes of up to 1000 µl with elution volumes as low as 30 µl enables highly sensitive detection of DNA from a wide range of sample types, including diffuse stains.

Principle

The QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit combines the speed and efficiency of silica-based purification of genomic and mitochondrial DNA with the convenient handling of magnetic particles (see figure " Efficient processing of magnetic particles"). Innovative, ready-to-run reagent cartridges are prefilled with magnetic particles and all reagents required for the purification procedure and are automatically opened by the QIAsymphony SP, which helps to minimize the risk of environmental contamination (see figure " Prefilled, sealed reagent cartridges"). Worktable setup is rapid, which saves your valuable time. Simply place up to 2 reagent cartridges in the "Reagents and Consumables" drawer. The reagent cartridges can be either from the same kit or from different kits, enabling different purification procedures to be performed within the same run of 96 samples. Reagent volumes only for the selected number of samples are used, giving you complete cost control. For increased flexibility, DNA can be eluted in volumes of between 30 and 400 µl of water or Buffer ATE (modified TE buffer).
See figures

Procedure

The purification procedure is designed to ensure safe and reproducible handling of precious or potentially infectious samples, and comprises 4 steps: lyse, bind, wash and elute. The user can choose different elution volumes between 30 µl to 400 µl of water or modified TE Buffer (Buffer ATE), depending on the protocol.

Since the type of samples that can be processed using the QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit can vary greatly, there is also a variety of different pretreatments, optimized for specific sample types. Samples are lysed under denaturing conditions in the presence of proteinase K and Buffer ATL in total volumes of either 200 µl, 500 µl or 1000 µl.

To meet the specific challenges of forensic samples, we have developed sample preparation protocols that ensure the highest possible first-pass success rates. Advanced protocols (ADV) use a heated binding step and increased binding time to maximize yields of pure DNA from the most difficult samples. High-Efficiency (HE) protocols address the challenge of recovering sufficient DNA from touch samples and other low-template samples. TopElute Fluid maximizes sensitivity for these difficult samples. The full range of high-efficiency forensic protocols available for different reference and casework samples is described in the table below.

 

QIAsymphony DNA Investigator protocols
Protocol Lysis volume options Enhanced binding Eluate volume TopElute Fluid
Reference 200, 500 µl No 100–400 µl No
Casework 200, 500, 1000 µl No 100–200 µl No
Casework ADV 200, 500, 1000 µl Yes 100–200 µl No
Casework HE 200, 500, 1000 µl No 30–80 µl Yes
Casework HE ADV 200, 500, 1000 µl Yes 30–80 µl Yes

 

Applications

The high-quality DNA obtained using the QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit is suitable for direct use in forensic, biodefense, biosecurity, and other human identity applications, such as:

  • Genotyping, including fingerprinting and paternity analysis
  • DNA purification from trace samples (e.g., crime-scene)
  • Routine analysis of reference samples

Supporting data and figures

Specifications

FeaturesSpecifications
ApplicationsSTR analysis, (real-time) PCR
Yield< 3 µg
Purification of total RNA, miRNA, poly A+ mRNA, DNA or proteinGenomic DNA, mitochondrial DNA
Elution volumeReference samples: 100-400 µl; Casework samples: 30-200 µl
Sample typeWide range of forensic and human-identity sample materials
Input volumeReference samples: 200 or 500 µl lysate; Casework samples: 200, 500 or 1000 µl lysate
TechnologyMagnetic particle technology

Resources

Protocol Files (2)
For use with the QIAsymphony SP/AS instruments (software version 4.0 or higher)
For use with the QIAsymphony SP/AS instruments (software version 5.0 or higher)
Application/Protocol Documents (14)
For use with software version 5.0
For use with software version 5.0
For use with software version 5.0
For use with software version 5.0 or higher
For use with software version 5.0 or higher
For use with software version 5.0 or higher
For use with software version 5.0
For use with software version 5.0
For use with software version 5.0 or higher
For use with software version 5.0
For use with software version 5.0 or higher
For use with software version 5.0
For use with software version 5.0
For use with software version 5.0 or higher
Brochures & Guides (3)
Advanced sample collection, automation and STR solutions for kinship testing
Safety Data Sheets (2)
Download Safety Data Sheets for QIAGEN product components.
Application Notes (2)

High-throughput DNA sample prep using the QIAsymphony SP instrument: An overview of workflow optimization at Bode Cellmark Forensics.

Instrument Technical Documents (4)
QIAsymphony SP recovery procedures for DNA Investigator applications for software version 4.0 and HID 1.0
QIAsymphony SP recovery procedures for DNA Investigator applications for software version 4.0 and HID 1.0
QIAsymphony SP recovery procedures for DNA Investigator applications for software version 4.0 and HID 1.0
QIAsymphony SP recovery procedures for DNA Investigator applications for software version 4.0 and HID 1.0
Technical Information (1)
Quality initiatives for human identity testing and forensics 
Labware Documents (1)
For use with software version 4.0
Kit Handbooks (1)
User-Developed Protocols (1)

This protocol has been adapted from the pretreatment of sexual assault samples and is for the lysis and extraction of DNA from a sperm pellet after differential separation.

Certificates of Analysis (1)

FAQ

Can DNA yields be increased by prolonging incubation with proteinase K in Buffer ATL?

For most sample types, incubating longer than specified in the pretreatment protocol for the QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit does not increase yields. However, lysates can be incubated overnight without negatively affecting the quality of the extracted DNA.

 

FAQ ID -2032
Can solid samples be processed with the QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit on the instrument?

No. All solid materials (e.g., swabs, blood card punches, chewing gum) must be removed completely from the lysate before performing automated extraction on the QIAsymphony SP. QIAshredder columns can be used to increase sample recovery from some solid materials. For more information, see the corresponding pretreatment protocol.

 

FAQ ID -2027
What is the composition of elution buffers used in QIAsymphony DNA Investigator kits?

User can choose elution with either buffer AVE or modified TE buffer known as buffer ATE.

* Buffer AVE contains RNase-free water with 0.04% NaN3 (Sodium azide).

* Buffer ATE contains 10 mM Tris-Cl pH 8.3, 0.1 mM EDTA and 0.04% NaN3 (Sodium-azide).

FAQ ID - 3387
Should sample lysate volumes be exactly 200 µl, 500 µl, or 1000 µl when loaded on the QIAsymphony SP?

No. The specified lysate volumes are optimal for QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit protocols. Lower volumes (150 µl, 400 µl, 900 µl, respectively) can be used.

However, to maximize yields, we recommend transferring as much of the lysate as possible. QIAshredder columns can be used to increase recovery from some sample types. For more information, see the corresponding pretreatment protocol.

 

FAQ ID -2031
What kind of samples should be processed using the large-volume protocol with the QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit?

The large-volume protocol of the QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit is intended for samples that can not be submerged completely during lysis in volumes less than 1 ml, as well as samples that are very absorbent.

 

FAQ ID -2034
What is the maximum DNA yield from forensic samples processed with the QIAsymphony SP?

QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit protocols are optimized for maximum sensitivity in extraction of typical forensic-casework and reference sample types, which usually have low DNA content. Due to optimized bead capacity, maximum DNA yields are approximately 3 µg.

 

FAQ ID -2028
Do all QIAsymphony DNA Investigator protocols use carrier RNA?

No. Carrier RNA is only used in casework protocols for the QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit to enable efficient extraction of minute quantities of DNA. Carrier RNA is not used in reference protocols.

 

FAQ ID -2033
Why do casework-sample protocols for the QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit start with different lysate volumes (200 µl, 500 µl, or 1000 µl)?

To ensure performance with the QIAsymphony DNA Investigator Kit, lysis volumes have been optimized according to sample type. In general, large or absorbent samples require larger buffer volumes than small and non-absorbent samples.

 

FAQ ID -2035