FAQS

Q. How is the NanoDrop™ Lite similar to other NanoDrop spectrophotometers?
A. All NanoDrop instruments, including the new NanoDrop Lite, utilize the same patented sample-retention system which allows for direct measurement of microvolume samples without wasteful dilutions and expensive consumables. Both the NanoDrop Lite and the NanoDrop 2000/2000c provide concentrations for Nucleic Acid and Protein samples and purity ratio for Nucleic Acid samples.

Q. What are the primary differences between the NanoDrop 2000/2000c UV-Vis spectrophotometers and the NanoDrop Lite?
A. The NanoDrop 2000/2000c utilize a PC and provide full-spectral data. The NanoDrop Lite is a local control instrument and does not provide full-spectral data.

Q. What are some of the other differences between the NanoDrop 2000/2000c instruments and the NanoDrop Lite?
A. The NanoDrop 2000/2000c spectrophotometers display a complete spectrum of the sample, provide a broader concentration measurement range (up to 15,000 ng/ul) and utilize computer software to perform more sophisticated analyses. Further, the NanoDrop 2000c has a built-in cuvette capability which allows for all the same pedestal applications plus kinetics (time and time/temp) applications. The NanoDrop Lite is a more basic instrument that does not display a full spectrum. The NanoDrop Lite utilizes LEDs centered at 260 nm and 280 nm to measure the absorption of nucleic acid and protein samples with a reference wavelength at 365 nm.

Q. What are some of the unique features of the NanoDrop Lite?
A. The NanoDrop Lite is an ultra-small, local control instrument with an optional docking printer (sold separately) that prints two freezer (to -196 °C) compatible, adhesive labels.

Q. What sort of accuracy should I expect with the NanoDrop Lite?
A. The accuracy for the NanoDrop Lite is identical to that of the NanoDrop 2000/2000c instruments.

Q. What sort of reproducibility should I expect with the NanoDrop Lite?
A. Typically ± 2 ng/µl for dsDNA samples <= 100 ng/µl and ± 2% for samples > 100 ng/µl which is the same for the NanoDrop 2000/2000c instruments.

Q. What sample volume should I load?
A. The NanoDrop Lite accommodates a 1.0 – 2.0 µL sample size.

Q. Is simply wiping the pedestal surfaces enough to prevent carryover?
A. Yes. The highly polished quartz and stainless steel surfaces of the sample retention system are resistant to sample adherence, making the use of dry lab wipes very effective in removing the sample.

Q. Do nucleic acids require purification prior to measurement on the NanoDrop Lite?
A. Yes, absorbance measurements are not specific for a particular nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and will be affected by the presence of nucleotides and other molecules that also absorb at 260 nm.

Q. What purity ratio measurements are available on the NanoDrop Lite?
A. The NanoDrop Lite measures 260/280 ratios for Nucleic Acids. The NanoDrop Lite does not offer A260/A230 ratios for Nucleic Acids or A260/A280 ratios for proteins.

Q. Do proteins require purification prior to measurement on the NanoDrop Lite?
A. Yes, when using the Protein A280 module, since absorbance measurements will be affected by the presence of non-protein molecules which absorb at 280 nm. The NanoDrop Lite is not designed to measure non-purified proteins and it does not measure the A260/A280 purity ratio for proteins.

Q. What instrument should I use if I have non-purified proteins?
A. The NanoDrop 2000/2000c has several pre-configured modules (BCA, Bradford, Lowry, Pierce 660 nm) which is ideal for measuring non-purified protein samples such as cell lysates.

Q. What are some of the pre-configured methods for the NanoDrop Lite?
A. The NanoDrop Lite has pre-programmed methods for Nucleic Acids and Protein A280.

Q. Is there an ability to create and save custom methods?
A. No, only the NanoDrop 2000/2000c and NanoDrop 8000 spectrophotometers allow for methods to be built (with or without standard curves), and including customized analysis wavelengths, factors, extinction coefficients and more.

Q. Can I check whether my NanoDrop Lite is calibrated and running accurately?
A. Yes. As part of laboratory best practices, we recommend performing a Calibration Check using CF-1 calibration check fluid every 6 months. CF-1 is available from Thermo Scientifc or an authorized distributor.