Loading... Please wait...

Our Newsletter


Software

Every Eco™ system includes a Netbook computer pre-installed with flexible, easy-to-use software that integrates user control, real-time data collection, and advanced data analysis. The software conforms to MIQE (Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments) guidelines, making data analysis and submission for publication review more efficient.

MIQE guidelines  

MIQE guideline checklist 

Eco™  software uses a unique icon-driven user interface to simplify experimental design and setup. Pre-set defaults for plate setup and thermal profile are provided for the most commonly used experimental protocols. Temperature and time for each protocol step can easily be changed by click-and-drag action with the mouse. Experiment templates can be customized and saved for future use.  

The Eco™ software supports all qPCR chemistries and all standard real time PCR applications including:
  • Absolute quantification by standard curve

 
  • Relative quantification using the ΔΔCq method including support for multiple reference gene normalization

 
  • Allelic Discrimination by end-point fluorescence

 
  • Gene scanning and genotyping by High Resolution Melt curve analysis

Pre-set defaults for plate set-up and thermal profile are provided for the most commonly used experimental protocols to enable fast and efficient run set-up (Figure 1). Experiment templates can be customized and saved for future use. All qPCR chemistries and starting materials are supported. All standard Real-Time PCR applications can be selected, and Eco™ provides High Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis as a standard option. When running a Quantification experiment, you can select the Relative Quantification or Standard Curve analysis options.
 

FIGURE 1. Eco™ Software Home Screen

figure1_homescreen_small.jpg 

Quantification, Allelic Discrimination and High Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis are available at a click of one of the application icons.

Plate Set-up is easily completed by selecting icons corresponding to each sample type (Standard, Control, Unknown, Amplicon) (Figure 2). After set-up options are entered, the thermal profile tab is clicked at the top of the screen, or Start Run is selected to confirm the default thermal profile for the run.
 

FIGURE 2. Simplified Plate Layout Tab

 soft_fig2.gif

The Plate Set-up selections can be skipped by using the Quick Start option. The Quick Start icon is selected, the default thermal protocol confirmed and the run is started. All sample placement selections can be entered during the run or after the run is completed prior to data analysis.

 

The thermal profile screen is shown with smart default thermal protocol parameters based on the type of experiment selected on the home page. Temperature and time for each protocol step can easily be changed by using click and drag action with the mouse. (Figure 3).
 

FIGURE 3. Thermal Profile Tab

soft_fig3.gif 

Typical default thermal profile is shown for a quantification experiment using DNA binding dyes and melt curve analysis.

 

After the thermal profile for the selected experiment type is either confirmed or changed, the Start Run icon is clicked to start the thermal cycling. As the run progresses, the progress of the fluorescence generation can be monitored in real time by selecting the Monitor Run view.

At the completion of the PCR thermal cycling the data is available for analysis using the Analyse Data option. This data analysis interface allows viewing the raw data, amplification plot, melt curve analysis and the analysed results including PCR efficiency, R2, Y intercept and Cq values.

Data can be exported into Excel and custom reports can be generated directly into PDF. High resolution images suitable for presentations can be exported in multiple image formats.

 

 

 

© Illumina, Inc. All rights reserved.