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Question: What role does ambient temperature play in affecting test
results. Is it possible for cooler temperatures to result in lower RLU
counts between tests on the same equipment and location?
Answer:
Yes, ambient temperatures can affect results but only if reagents are at a low temperature. The SystemSURE Instrument will self-adjust to external temperature but the luciferase reagents needs to be at 20 – 22 degrees °C ( approx 70 degrees °F) to function at their best.
If reagents are cold, then the reaction will be slower and the RLU result for a given amount of ATP will be lower.
Temperature does not affect light measurement of the SystemSURE instrument provided that the instrument has equilibrated to the environmental conditions. The SystemSURE instrument will sense an environmental temperature change of 5 degrees °C and it will automatically initiate a 15 second recalibration sequence.
The user can also initiate a manual recalibration at any time by depressing and holding the OK button down for 3 seconds.
The system can be used in cold environments (e.g. 5 degrees °C) if the instrument is equilibrated for 10 – 15 minutes before use and that the reagent swab devices are kept warm e.g. by storage in an internal pocket close to body heat.
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