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Product Introduction
Medium-throughput molecular diagnostics laboratories face a distinct operational challenge: they process enough samples daily to need automation, but not enough to justify the capital investment in 96-well high-throughput systems. Manual spin-column extraction becomes the bottleneck — labor-intensive, operator-dependent, and limited to 12–24 samples per hour. The HM-TQ16 from HM Instruments resolves this gap with 16-channel automated magnetic bead extraction at an accessible price point.
The HM-TQ16's 7-inch Android touchscreen provides an intuitive interface that laboratory technicians master within minutes. Its protocol storage of over 10,000 programs is unmatched in the 16-channel category, allowing laboratories to maintain optimized methods for blood, swab, tissue, FFPE, plant, and environmental samples — all accessible with a single tap. Switching between DNA and RNA extraction protocols requires no hardware reconfiguration; the open platform simply accepts the appropriate magnetic bead kit.
With CV below 5% and magnetic bead recovery exceeding 98%, the HM-TQ16 delivers the extraction consistency required for quantitative PCR, gene expression analysis, and routine clinical molecular diagnostics. For laboratories planning to scale throughput in the future, the extraction chemistry and workflow are directly transferable to the HM-TQ48 or HM-TQ96. Learn more about HM-TQ series cost-performance advantages.
Applications
- Hospital molecular diagnostics: Daily infectious disease PCR panels, viral load monitoring, and pharmacogenomic screening
- Academic research core facilities: Shared nucleic acid extraction service for multiple research groups and projects
- Food safety QC laboratories: Routine Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli screening in food processing facilities
- Veterinary diagnostic centers: Regional animal disease surveillance and zoonotic pathogen monitoring
- Environmental testing labs: Water quality pathogen detection and soil microbial community analysis
Key Features & Advantages
- 10,000+ protocol library: Store optimized methods for every sample type your laboratory encounters — no reprogramming needed when switching applications
- Android touchscreen interface: Color-coded workflow guidance reduces operator errors and training time for new staff
- Open platform cost savings: Third-party magnetic bead kits at $1–2 per extraction vs. $4–5 for proprietary reagents — annual savings of $10,000+ for a busy lab
- CV<5% precision: Meets the inter-well consistency requirements for quantitative PCR standard curves and clinical diagnostic workflows
- 16 dedicated magnetic rods: One rod per channel eliminates cross-talk between adjacent sample positions
- UV disinfection: Automated surface sterilization between runs prevents carryover contamination in multi-user shared facilities
- 30–1000 μl volume range: Process small-volume pediatric samples and larger environmental specimens on the same platform
- Ambient–100°C heating: Covers standard lysis temperatures for blood, swab, and cultured cell samples
- USB data export: Archive extraction logs for quality management system compliance and regulatory audits
- Upgrade pathway: Same extraction chemistry scales directly to HM-TQ48/TQ96 when throughput grows
Technical Specifications
| Specification | HM-TQ16 |
|---|---|
| Extraction Method | Magnetic Bead |
| Max Channels | 16 |
| Magnetic Rods | 16 |
| Processing Volume | 30–1000 μl |
| Magnetic Bead Recovery | >98% |
| CV (Inter-well) | <5% |
| Processing Time | 10–30 min |
| Temperature Range | Ambient–100°C |
| Reagent Platform | Open |
| Display | 7" Android LCD |
| Program Storage | >10,000 |
| Noise Level | ≤65 dB |
| UV Disinfection | Yes |
| USB Ports | 1 |
| Power Supply | AC 198–242V / 450W |
| Operating Conditions | 5–40°C, ≤80% RH |
| Dimensions (mm) | 304×280×356 |
| Weight | 12.85 kg |
FAQ
Q1: How does the HM-TQ16 compare to manual spin-column extraction in daily throughput?
A trained technician using spin columns typically processes 12–24 samples per hour including centrifugation, washing, and elution steps. The HM-TQ16 processes 16 samples simultaneously in 10–30 minutes with minimal hands-on time. For a laboratory running 40 samples daily, automation with the HM-TQ16 reduces extraction labor from approximately 3 hours to under 1 hour while eliminating operator-dependent variability between samples.
Q2: Can protocols from the HM-TQ16 be transferred to higher-throughput models?
Yes. All HM-TQ models use the same magnetic bead extraction chemistry and open reagent platform. Protocols developed on the HM-TQ16 can be directly adapted to the HM-TQ32, HM-TQ48, or HM-TQ96 with minimal adjustment for plate geometry differences. This makes the HM-TQ16 an excellent development platform for laboratories planning future throughput upgrades.
Q3: What is the recommended maintenance schedule for the HM-TQ16?
Standard maintenance includes running UV disinfection between batches (automatic), weekly surface cleaning with 70% ethanol, and replacing magnetic rod sleeves every 6 months or after 10,000 extraction cycles. The Android system should receive firmware updates annually via USB. No professional calibration or preventive maintenance visits are required under normal operating conditions.
Q4: Is the HM-TQ16 suitable for extracting RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue?
The HM-TQ16 temperature range extends to 100°C, which covers standard FFPE deparaffinization and lysis conditions when used with FFPE-optimized magnetic bead kits. The 10,000+ program storage allows you to save and recall FFPE-specific protocols separately from fresh tissue methods. For FFPE samples requiring temperatures above 100°C, the HM-TQ32 or HM-TQ48 with their 120°C range would be more suitable.
Q5: How does HM Instruments support HM-TQ16 users internationally?
HM Instruments provides English-language documentation, video-based training materials, and remote technical support via email and video conferencing for international customers. Equipment ships in standard export packaging. The Android interface supports bilingual Chinese/English operation. For specific regional availability and local service partnerships, contact the HM Instruments international sales team.
Expert Review
Article address:https://www.molecularbio.cn/pro12/clinical-nucleic-acid-extraction-platform.html
