Trouble ordering ProClin 300

[kmcarr]

Have people upgraded their HiSeq 2500's to the latest software which is required for Rapid Run v2? This new software comes along with changes to the maintenance wash procedure, replacing NaOH with a 0.5% Tween 20, 0.03% ProClin 300 solution.

Our problem is that Sigma doesn't seem to want to sell us ProClin 300; there are a bunch of questions which come along with trying to order this chemical and our order has been "under review" for weeks. Has anybody else experienced this? Has anybody been able to easily purchase ProClin?

[pmiguel]

Yes, we had the same thing happen to us. I think the order just sat around until we called them up and asked what was going on. They then gave us the form you seem to be referring to and we filled it in and I think our business office faxed it or emailed it to them.
But then we got the stuff fairly soon afterwards.

--
Phillip

[GenoMax]

Looking at the info on sigma site this compound looks pretty nasty.

[pmiguel]

Looking at the info on sigma site this compound looks pretty nasty.

Well, Sigma is a chemical company. They sell plenty of "nasty" compounds.

The wording from the form we had to fill out made me think that Sigma only had the right to sell this substance for certain uses.

Very odd, though.

--
Phillip

[HeinKey]

we had no problems at all with the delivery of ProClin300 by Sigma.....Is the request for this chemical too high since the introduction of V4 chemistry??

[kmcarr]

we had no problems at all with the delivery of ProClin300 by Sigma.....Is the request for this chemical too high since the introduction of V4 chemistry??

It's actually the software upgrade (HCS 2.2.58) which enables Rapid Run v2 that incorporates the change to the Maintenance Wash solution, not v4 chemistry. But that's neither here nor there.

Phillip is correct that there are only a set of approved uses for this product and from what Sigma has told us the range of those approved uses is under review so these orders are now held up by their legal department. Illumina is aware of the issue and their legal department is consulting with Sigma's legal department. I just know that it does not bode well for a speedy (or satisfactory) resolution once lawyers are involved.

In the meantime Illumina has recommended that we simply use 0.5% Tween-20 as the Maintenance Wash solution, omitting the 0.03% ProClin 300 called for in the documentation. Without the ProClin microcide present I would think it best to prepare the MW solution fresh as opposed to keeping a batch around for 30 days like they say you can with the ProClin present.

[Woo-hoo, my 1,000th post. Do I win a free puppy?]

[GenoMax]

[Woo-hoo, my 1,000th post. Do I win a free puppy?]

Yes you do. Can you hear it barking outside your office now

[captainentropy]

Yeah, I just encountered the same problem. Here's what I was told:

Dear Customer,

We regret to inform you that your order has been canceled. Proclin is a known pesticide recognized by the EPA, commonly used for killing microbes or as a preservative deterrent against microbial growth. Millipore Sigma does not currently hold an EPA license that allows the sale of preservatives/microbicides. Our only exemption for sale is under an EPA-FDA exemption that the chemical be used for IVD use. The FDA defines IVD's as “in vitro diagnostics are tests that can detect diseases, conditions, or infections.”

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. For alternatives to this product, please contact Technical Service

I'm confused because I know of research and core labs that do not do IVD that have been able to order ProClin.

[Genetic Librarian]

There meanwhile is an alternative "SeqClin", which simply is already pre-diluted ProClin. A 1:5 dilution of SeqClin results in MW-Solution for the HiSeqs.

[ianakiev]

ProClin 300 is another name for DowChemical product called KATHON
Or at least that is what I understand. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[captainentropy]

I called Sigma. If you can't order any of the ProClin products they won't approve an order for SeqClin since it contains ProClin.

Can't find any alternatives for ProClin other than azide. Anyone know of an alternative that can be easily acquired?

[GenoMax]

@captainentropy: Why don't you contact Illumina tech support to see what your options are? You don't want to use something else and have them say that your sequencer is no longer under warranty. You can't be the only person in this quandary.

[captainentropy]

I had contacted Illumina - and Sigma - about alternatives. Sigma says there are none. They were completely unhelpful. They literally told me to just search online for alternatives. (Yeah, no s&!t, thanks Captain Obvious. I know how to Google, why do you think I'm calling you?)

Illumina said there are lots of people with this problem and are aware that Sigma no longer will sell it to non-IVD users. Below is from their reply:

We do suggest an alternative wash protocol on the HiSeq for customers that can't get ProClin. You can use Tween-20 wash solution WITHOUT ProClin, but if the system will not be washed or used again within 7 days, you should follow up the wash with a "100% Molecular biology grade" water "Water" wash to clear out the Tween solution before the system goes idle for 7 days. On actively used systems, this is not necessary. Just wash with the Tween-20 wash solution and you should be good...

Goal is to keep "idle' Tween-20 wash solutions out of the fluidics. Systems used / wash in < 7 days, you can use the Tween wash solution with no ProClin. On systems idle >7 days, follow the wash with a water wash with "water" only.

If they say that is all that is needed, I guess I have little choice but to defer to their expertise unless someone else knows of a better idea.

[ianakiev]

Illumina tech support may have to refresh their training. If you don't use system (HiSeq 2500) for more than 10 days you are supposed to do maintenance wash aka. tween + ProClin 300 and then shut down the instrument. Tween alone will support bacterial growth. If you have no ProClin better do pure water. JMHO