We acquired our Fragment Analyzer from AATI in March 2018. We primarily use it for NGS library QC (sizing) and to collect RIN values for RNA extracts. At first it was splendid, but within a few months, the data became somewhat unreliable. If a sample looked bad, we could run it again in the same well or a different well and get completely different results. We tried adjusting our maintenance schedule but it didn't seem to help. I replaced the array but it didn't help. Numerous calls and email to Agilent/AATI tech support didn't help.
Our field engineer was here a couple of months ago and went through the instrument, finding little to be concerned about. I asked him to watch us set up a run to make sure we were not doing anything incorrectly. He was satisfied with our procedure and helped us improve our maintenance procedures. However, the instrument continues to yield inconsistent results. This is maddening since we are doing everything according to protocol. I have operated 3730 and 3130 capillary electrophoresis instruments for years without such issues.
As it is, I find the cost of running a sample to be about 3x what it should be due to reruns and constant maintenance.
Has anyone else faced similar challenges with the Fragment Analyzer?
Our field engineer was here a couple of months ago and went through the instrument, finding little to be concerned about. I asked him to watch us set up a run to make sure we were not doing anything incorrectly. He was satisfied with our procedure and helped us improve our maintenance procedures. However, the instrument continues to yield inconsistent results. This is maddening since we are doing everything according to protocol. I have operated 3730 and 3130 capillary electrophoresis instruments for years without such issues.
As it is, I find the cost of running a sample to be about 3x what it should be due to reruns and constant maintenance.
Has anyone else faced similar challenges with the Fragment Analyzer?
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