[Quick Answer]

Is your Tecan system dripping? Follow these four priority steps:

• Clear Air Bubbles: Run a Flush command (15mL Waste / 20mL Cleaner) via Direct Commands to eliminate bubbles from the liquid system.
• Check Hardware: If droplets occur after flushing, or are seen before power-on/during stand-by, check for air accumulation in the Source tank, FAWA pump, 3-way valve fittings, and syringes. Check the tightness of all fittings on the 3-way valves and syringes.
• Check for Clogs: If a water drop stays on the tip specifically after flushing, inspect for a clogged probe or clogged fixed tip.
• Adjust Software: If droplets only occur after dispensing (at the plate or waste), lower the Z-dispense height or adjust Liquid Class airgaps.

[Quick Summary]

How do you fix short read lengths on a 3730 analyzer? If read lengths drop (e.g., from 1000 bp to 750 bp), it is likely a polymer issue. To resolve this, perform a 60 °C warm water wash and install a fresh bottle of polymer. If this does not restore data quality, you likely have a faulty polymer from a defective production lot. Order a different lot number immediately, perform a second wash, and install the new lot.

When your ABI 3500 Genetic Analyzer displays an “Electrophoresis current unstable” or "Electrophoresis current target above limit" error, it’s more than just a notification—it's a run-stopper. These errors indicate that the Electrophoresis (EP) current is no longer within the safe operating threshold required to move DNA through the capillaries.

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to take a little break from the lab than with a fun puzzle? Our December 2025 crossword is filled with festive cheer, seasonal traditions, and holiday-inspired clues — all designed to give your brain a little workout while keeping the mood light.

Traditional science courses often focus on memorizing facts, formulas, and classifications. While foundational knowledge is important, this approach doesn’t always build the reasoning and problem-solving muscles students need for real scientific work. That’s why educator-scientist Giorgio Lagna — who teaches Genetics, Human Physiology, and Anatomy & Physiology — has redesigned his classes to harness AI tools in a way that builds deeper understanding.

Thanksgiving is around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and enjoy some fun before the holiday rush begins. Between experiments, instrument checks, and project deadlines, take a well-deserved break with our November crossword puzzle — a Thanksgiving edition!

Are you an Applied Biosystems (ABI) 3500 Series user running into a frustrating error when trying to set up your sequencing run? You're not alone. We've seen an issue pop up where the software throws a "Could not create the view: An unexpected exception was thrown, java.lang.NullPointerException" error specifically when generating the 'Load Plates for Run' page. The rest of the Data Collection software seems fine—you can define plates, assign content, and navigate other menus. But that crucial step of linking the plate to the run is blocked. If restarting the instrument and computer hasn't helped, the cause is likely a surprisingly simple one: your Plate Record folder is full!

We’re excited to announce that SeqGen will be exhibiting at the 36th International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI)! This year’s event will bring together leaders and innovators in forensic science — and we can’t wait to connect with everyone attending.

As the days get shorter and you settle in for a busy fall analysis schedule, the last thing you need is a disruption. If your Applied Biosystems (ABI) 3730 DNA Analyzer is stuck in initialization with that persistent yellow indicator light, don't panic. The fix might be as simple as replacing a cheap, little component: a fuse!

Fall is here — bringing cooler days, cozy layers, and a much-needed pause between the busy months ahead. This month’s Lab Fun Break celebrates the best parts of the season: vibrant colors, crisp mornings, and time spent outdoors.