Play your cards right: How to choose a QIAGEN instrument for your lab

When it comes to choosing an instrument, it’s not about the cards you’re dealt with, but how you play them. It's about choosing the right instrument that will elevate your efficiency, accuracy and overall productivity.

This month, let us show you why you should automate your lab, and which instrument “card” should you play, depending on needs of your lab.

Why Automate?

Imagine conveniently breezing through your lab work with precision and accuracy. Automation is no longer a luxury but is a necessity for modern laboratories. Here’s why:

1. Supercharge productivity: Automation enables efficient and scalable processing of samples, depending on your needs.
2. Standardization and reproducibility: Achieve reproducible results by processing samples in the same manner with less hands-on time to reduce human errors.
3. Humanize your lab: Automate repetitive mechanical tasks and focus on what humans do best: dissecting problems and creating more innovations.

Choosing the Right Instrument: Know Which Card to Play

Different laboratories have varying needs, and choosing the right instrument is akin to knowing which card to play in a strategic card game. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best automation solution for your lab:

? Low Throughput: QIAcube Connect

For labs handling low sample volumes, the QIAcube Connect is the ideal choice. It automates nucleic acid purification of up to 12 samples at the same time with minimal manual intervention.

Key features:

• Incorporated centrifuge: Automates familiar spin column protocols without changing established manual methods.
• Pre-programmed protocols and customized protocols: Offers convenience with over 80 ready-to-use protocols with the flexible option to customize protocols for customers having special requirements.
• Customization options: Flexible protocols.

? Medium Throughput: EZ2 Connect

The EZ2 Connect is a benchtop instrument designed for labs needing medium throughput with high simplicity, convenience and speed.

Key features:

• Prefilled reagent cartridges: Minimizes environmental contamination risks.
• High degree of automation: Features 24 pipetting channels for fast processing.
• Remote monitoring and connectivity: keep an eye on your sample runs, even when you’re outside the lab with QIAsphere.

? High Throughput: QIAcube HT and QIAsymphony SP

For labs with high throughput needs, QIAcube HT and QIAsymphony SP are the top contenders.

QIAcube HT: Ideal for nucleic acid isolation of up to 96 samples at the same time. It combines a compact benchtop design with high throughput, suitable for centralized laboratories to optimize space usage.

Key Features:

• Efficient sample processing: Delivers consistent, high-quality results in a streamlined process, ensuring reliable outcomes for your lab.
• QIAGEN-validated protocols: Easy transition from manual to automated processes.
• Customizable protocols: Optimized based on individual demands of a lab.

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QIAsymphony SP: A workhorse providing the highest level of process control and flexibility, capable of handling up to 96 samples per run with primary tube loading.

Key Features:

• Prefilled reagent cartridges: Minimizes the risk of environmental contamination.
• Advanced traceability: Comprehensive sample and reagent tracking.
• Large volume processing: Processes up to 10 mL sample volumes.

Tailoring Automation to Your Needs

At the end of the day, lab automation is not just about enhancing convenience and productivity, it's about making smart strategic choices that align with your lab’s unique needs for years to come. By knowing which card to play, you can select the right automated solution that will surely drive your lab’s success.

Let us help you play the right cards and find the right automated instrument for your lab. Visit our website to learn more ? or download the automated solutions brochure here.