Murphy’s Law states: Whatever CAN go wrong, WILL go wrong. As hard as we all try to make sure we are careful to avoid problems, problems are an inevitable fact of life. The sooner we accept this, the sooner we’ll be able to get our machines back up and running! So whatever problem comes your way, when it comes to DNA sequencers, SeqGen is here to help.
Everyone knows to stop at a red light, slow down for a speed bump, or to walk carefully when there is a “caution, wet floor” sign. Signs are there to give us a hint about what we should do next, and luckily for you, DNA Sequencing machines give you signs to help you out.
Judging from the number of “Out of Office” replies we are receiving these days, it seems that many of you are enjoying some well-deserved time off. You will get the same response from me if you email in the next two weeks! Luckily, the amazing SeqGen team is awaiting your call and can help you with any service issue you may be facing. If you are planning an extended absence, don’t forget to also give your sequencer, PCR, or qPCR machine the proper vacation it needs.
Springtime may have come and gone, but it’s never too late to start your spring-cleaning! As a matter of fact, with a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of patience, you can restore your silver block 9700 thermal cycler to pristine condition. This is routine procedure when SeqGen performs preventative maintenance on the thermal cycler, but we are more than happy to share our trade secret!
No matter how big your lab is, you’ve probably asked yourself this question. It’s difficult to decide whether to continue on with the sequencer or qPCR you know and love, or go with the powerful new technology. When you start to consider things like service plans and the hassle of changing equipment, it can feel like an overwhelming decision. To make the right decision, there are a few things you should consider.
The most important thing from a servicer is support. Not just any support, but quick support and results. At SeqGen, our engineers are not only experts in their field with Masters Degrees in biology or engineering, but they’ve also been immersed in our culture of superior customer service.
Too often, mergers and acquisitions leave customers high and dry, without any kind of support for their machines and resources. It’s our job and number-one priority to care about you, and make sure you know that when you work with us, you are never just another client number.
A recurring problem that we have seen of late is an error message stating: “Capillary Leak Detected”, but the capillary array is not necessarily due for replacement. If you’re like most people, you want to try everything you can before you order a new one (which could cost you thousands).
Your sequencer is a lot like a car. It requires regular routine maintenance to ensure that all of the moving parts are working like they should be. And just like a car, if you take care of your machine and perform regular maintenance, you can expect it to run properly for many years to come.
A coverage plan from SeqGen comes with one preventative maintenance visit per year; however, you can perform some of these functions yourself. To assist you, we’ve listed a few of the common problems and errors that can be avoided with preventative
Protecting your sequencer or qPCR is no laughing matter. For many labs, the smallest problem can cause days of downtime. Although it is impossible to avoid all of these issues, a coverage plan with SeqGen will minimize downtime so you can get back to your samples.
