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A common cause of unexpectedly low fluorescence is leaving old reaction tubes in the rotor from a previous run. The Mic automatically sets its signal gain based on the tube with the highest fluorescence. If leftover tubes contain a stronger residual signal than your new samples, the instrument will scale the gain too low, making your current reactions appear weak.
This is not an assay or reagent issue but a setup artifact.
To avoid this, always remove tubes after each run. Alternatively, use consistent “water load” tubes or manually select a tube for gain adjustment to ensure accurate signal scaling.
Yes. While the Mic rotor does not require mechanical balancing like a centrifuge, maintaining a consistent thermal load across all positions is essential for accurate results. Empty tubes, missing tubes, or differing reaction volumes can create thermal gradients in the rotor, leading to increased variability between samples.
To ensure optimal performance, always fill every rotor position, use water-filled tubes for unused positions at the same volume as your reactions, and verify that all tubes are properly seated and secured.
Yes. The Mic is designed to operate reliably in field conditions using alternative power sources such as batteries, solar setups, or generators. When running from a battery or solar system, you will need a pure sine wave inverter with at least 360 W continuous output. Square wave inverters are incompatible.
For unstable power sources (e.g., generators), using a pure sine wave online UPS is recommended to provide clean, consistent power and prevent interruptions during a run. With the correct setup, the Mic can perform reliably outside of standard laboratory environments.
[Download Resource]The Mic is designed so that calibration is not required. Its induction-based heating system directly heats the aluminum rotor, eliminating the temperature drift commonly seen in block-based cyclers. As a result, temperature accuracy remains stable over time when the instrument is used as recommended.
In addition, the Mic has a fixed optical path with no moving parts, so there is no need for optical alignment, crosstalk compensation, or ongoing optical calibration.
Because of this stable design, the Mic does not require routine calibration and is supported by a 3-year factory warranty covering materials and workmanship.
[Download Resource]The Mic integrates with LIMS via simple file-based import and export using standard formats such as .csv, .tsv, .txt, and .xlsx.
You can import sample and assay information from your LIMS into Workbench to set up a run, then automatically export run data and results back to your LIMS for storage and reporting. Workbench also supports custom metadata fields, allowing you to include LIMS-specific identifiers and tracking information with each run.
For streamlined workflows, results can be automatically saved or exported to a designated folder linked to your LIMS, with options to control export behavior (e.g., only export if no errors are detected).
Yes. The Mic is great for protein thermal shift assays because it can control temperature very accurately and has a high-resolution melting feature.
The instrument’s small, low-mass rotating aluminum rotor allows for very quick thermal equilibration and very little temperature difference between samples. This results in highly uniform and reproducible temperature ramping, which is critical for accurately determining protein melting temperatures (Tm). The Mic’s high data acquisition density and low signal-to-noise ratio during melt also make it possible to see unfolding transitions in great detail, which is especially useful for finding subtle stability shifts.
For DSF experiments, you can use dyes that increase fluorescence when binding to hydrophobic regions exposed during protein unfolding, as long as they are compatible with the Mic’s fixed optical channels. Examples include the GloMelt Thermal Shift Protein Stability Kit (green channel, validated by users on Mic). The assay’s suitability will depend on how well the dye’s excitation and emission profile matches the Mic channels that are available, as well as the protein’s expected melting range and buffer conditions.
ROX is a passive reference dye used to normalize optical variability between wells in many block-based qPCR systems.
It primarily compensates for:
The Mic eliminates these sources of variability through its design:
As a result, fluorescence signals are inherently uniform, and ROX normalization is not required.
The Mic is designed to require no routine maintenance.
Unlike traditional qPCR systems, the Mic has no moving optical components, no need for calibration, and no consumable parts that require regular replacement. Its sealed optical path and solid-state temperature design minimize wear and eliminate the need for periodic servicing.
While no maintenance is required, basic care will help ensure optimal performance:
No scheduled servicing or calibration is required, just standard excellent lab practice.
This error indicates that the Mic is not receiving stable or sufficient power. It is typically related to the external power supply or mains input rather than the instrument itself.
Common causes include:
How to troubleshoot:
If no clear cause is identified, the power adapter may be faulty. Please contact your local distributor (if under warranty) or BMS support with details of your setup, including any UPS or inverter being used.
This warning is triggered when little or no fluorescence signal is detected in a channel during a run.
In most cases, the warning indicates that no measurable signal was generated in the reaction, rather than an instrument fault.
Common causes include:
What to check:
This warning usually means fluorescence was not produced, indicating the optics are functioning.
This message usually appears when user permissions were enabled during installation, but the required Windows user groups have not been configured on the computer.
If you have administrator access:
If you do not have administrator access:
For the safest transport, use the original packaging. Ensure the rotor is empty and all accessories are stored in their designated foam slots.
For fieldwork, a Pelican case with custom foam inserts designed to snugly fit the Mic, power adapter, cables, tubes, and accessories is recommended.
The most common cause of a drip occurring during a Myra run is incorrect plate height calibration.
Incorrect plate height calibration can result in the following:
Always use the correct consumable type indicated in the software and ensure calibration has been conducted correctly.
We recommend only transporting Myra in its original packaging.
To prepare the instrument, use the Lock Myra for Transport wizard in the Workbench software. You can find the lock by clicking the instrument icon, selecting Properties, and following the on-screen prompts to secure it safely.
The computer requirements are also listed at the start of the user manual.
From Workbench version 2.0.7 onwards, there is a checkbox available to turn multi-dispense on.
This can be found in the Information section under the Advanced Settings options.
For MyraScripts, a multi-dispense parameter will be coded in as a configurable option.
A comprehensive number of NGS library prep kits can be run on the Myra. Some of the more popular ones include:
You can find a list of NGS library preparation kits that have been validated for use on the Myra at the NGS library preparation applications page. More NGS library preparation kits are under development, so please contact us if you are interested in testing any library preparation kit that is not yet fully validated.
Surfaces of the instrument, including the deck, can be decontaminated using a solution of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).
Alternatively, reagents such as DNA Away or milder decontamination solutions can also be used.
Avoid applying these reagents to exposed electrical components such as the back of the pipette head or axis motors.
Common causes of pipetting issues during a Myra run include the following:
An incorrect consumable was used instead of the one selected in the software.
Use consumables in the software that exactly match what is placed on the deck for the Myra run. The software uses the profile of the selected tube to determine the tip position for aspirating and dispensing, so any difference can cause incorrect pipetting behavior.
Incorrect plate height calibration.
It is essential that plate heights are correctly calibrated to avoid the tip colliding with the bottom of the well. For low-volume samples, this issue will impact aspiration, as the tip can become blocked at the bottom.
Excessive bubbles are present in the reagent tubes at the start of a run.
Excessive bubbles will affect level sensing. Such conditions can cause the Myra to aspirate from the bubble rather than the liquid, resulting in reduced volume during a transfer. Remove bubbles prior to the start of a run by spinning down the tubes.
Standard microtubes ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 mL, including screw-cap or flip-cap tubes, can be accommodated. Bottles up to 10 mL in size can also be used.
Longer tubes, such as blood collection vials, can be housed in the Myra9 and Myra Plus due to deep SBS sockets. However, the volume inside these tubes must be high enough for the pipette head and tip to reach it.
The clearance height for the standard Myra head with tip means that tubes above certain height limits cannot be used. For all Myra types, tubes above maximum height limits are incompatible.
The latest version of Workbench software is 2.2.0
Submitting a Support Package ensures accurate and timely assistance. To generate this:
Upload the file. If the size exceeds the 256 MB upload limit, contact the support team, and an alternative method will be provided.
If you experience issues with assay compatibility, please provide:
This allows the team to review assay conditions and provide targeted recommendations.
If your instrument requires a warranty replacement or repair, contact BMS Support to discuss the issue and obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) form.
Instruments must be returned clean and decontaminated. BMS reserves the right to refuse service on any equipment deemed unsafe due to contamination risk.
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