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K&A Pre-Installation Requirements

A Sierra Biosystems or K&A Labs representative will contact you before scheduling installation to verify that all pre-installation steps have been completed. 

Important: Installation cannot be scheduled until all checklist items have been confirmed.

Selecting a Location:

  • The system must be located near ventilation sources to comply with all air quality regulations.
  • Ensure the synthesizer is accessible from all four sides.

Instrument Footprint

Instrument

Width

Depth

Height

Weight

K&A S-4-LC

9.8 in (25 cm)

9.8 in (25 cm)

11.8 in (30 cm)

<20 lbs. (9.1 kg)

K&A H-2

9.8 in (25 cm)

15.7 in (40 cm)

15.7 in (40 cm)

<30 lbs. (12.6 kg)

K&A H-8

9.8 in (25 cm)

15.7 in (40 cm)

15.7 in (40 cm)

<30 lbs. (12.6 kg)

K&A H-8-SE

9.8 in (25 cm)

23.6 in (60 cm)

15.7 in (40 cm)

<40 lbs. (18.1 kg)

K&A H-8-VLS

13.8 in (35 cm)

23.6 in (60 cm)

15.7 in (40 cm)

<40 lbs. (18.1 kg)

K&A H-16

13.8 in (35 cm)

23.6 in (60 cm)

17.7 in (45 cm)

<60 lbs. (27.2 kg)

K&A H-32

13.8 in (35 cm)

25.6 in (65 cm)

17.7 in (45 cm)

<60 lbs. (27.2 kg)

Peripheral Devices

Width

Depth

Height

Weight

Computer

15.8 in (40 cm)

17.5 in (44 cm)

4.0 in (10 cm)

17 lbs. (7.7 kg)

Keyboard

18.0 in (46 cm)

7.5 in (19 cm)

1.5 in (4 cm)

1 lbs. (0.5 kg)

Monitor

21.0 in (53 cm)

9.0 in (23 cm)

14.0 in (36 cm)

7 lbs. (3.2 kg)

Compressor

11.0 in (28 cm)

5.5 in (14 cm)

6.7 in (17 cm)

20 lbs. (9.1 kg)

 

Laboratory Requirements

End-user is responsible for ensuring the laboratory has the following before the installation:

Requirement

Details

Delivery Pathway

Clear path (≥35.2 in) from Deliver site/dock to install site.

Work Bench

Must support instrument and computer.

Computer Setup

Located within 5 ft of instrument. A computer will be supplied with the instrument unless client is supplying their own.

Ergonomics

Computer positioned for comfortable use.

Ventilation

Vent or fume hood within 8 ft. Exhaust draw: –2 in H₂O or 100 ft/min.

Waste Disposal

Safe, regulation-compliant method in place.

Electrical

Dedicated 1.5 kVA line. Separate outlets for synthesizer, PC, monitor and compressor. UPS recommended.

 

 

 

Required Equipment (User Supplied)

Required Items

Notes

Argon gas cylinder or Nitrogen gas cylinder ≥99.999% (grade 5 Purity)

The cylinder should hold 7.2 m3 (257 ft3) of gas when full.

Two cylinders recommended: One in use, one spare.

 

House supply or Dewars acceptable if pressure and purity specifications are met. Please notify Sierra Biosystems/K&A if this is the case.

CGA-580 regulator for gas

0-60psi operating range. If using a house gas supply a one-stage regulator is permitted.

Input port size for instrument gas supply

 6 mm (.236 in) tube connection 

Waste Collection Method or Device

A HDPE carboy, or centralized in-house waste infrastructure. An HDPE carboy is supplied if requested with instrument purchase.

PPE

Glasses, coats, gloves.

Safety

Spill kit, first-aid, eyewash, emergency shower, fire extinguisher.

Additional Laboratory Equipment

Top loading balance (± 0.01g accuracy.), pipettes, graduated cylinders, beakers, funnels, collection or microcentrifuge tubes, well collection plates (96 or 384 well format instruments)

 

Optional Equipment (User Supplied)

Recommended Items

Notes

Heating block or Oven

If heating during deprotection is desired

Evaporator

To dry down samples

Analytical Equipment

e.g. UV/Nanodrop, Analytical HPLC, Mass Spectrometry

 

Raw Materials (User Supplied)

*Items

Details/Examples

Columns

Solid Support. CPG Recommended

Phosphoramidites

DNA AMIDITES REQUIRED FOR INITIAL SYNTHESIS

Anhydrous, high-purity acetonitrile

Synthesis Grade, 10 ppm H20 recommended 30ppm max

Deblocking reagent

3% DCA in toluene or DCM

Activator reagent

5-ethylthio-1H-tetrazole, ETT

Capping reagents A

**Acetic Anhydride/Tetrahydrofuran

Capping Reagent B

Acetonitrile/ N-Methylimidazole/ Pyridine

Oxidizer

Iodine in Pyridine/Water

Cleavage and Deprotection solution

28-40% Ammonium Hydroxide or AMA (1:1, NH4OH: 40% **Methylamine)

Purification materials (if desired)

e.g. GlenPak, HPLC cartridges

*Verify that any reagents ordered match the bottle type and bottle size configuration given to Sierra Biosystems/K&A when the instrument was ordered. Purchased reagents and amidites from a reputable vendor are highly recommended for initial synthesis.

**Acetic anhydride and methylamine are classified as drug precursor chemicals. Depending on your country or region, you may need to obtain a permit from the appropriate regulatory authority before purchasing or using these substances.

Personnel Requirements:

An installation will typically take 2-3 days.

  • Day 1: Physical Placement and Setup
  • Day 2: Calibrations and Training/Trial Synthesis
  • Day 3: Processing Samples and any Final Training.
  • Set aside one full uninterrupted day for training.
  • Assign a safety representative who knows lab protocols.
  • Assign someone to assist in lifting and positioning (only Day 1).

 

What Sierra Biosystems/K&A Labs Will Provide:

  • DNA Synthesizer
  • Preconfigured computer with software
  • Keyboard, monitor, and mouse
  • Compressor
  • Regional power cables
  • Reagent and amidite caps (customized)
  • 10L or 20L Waste Carboy (If requested with instrument)
  • Reagent containment bin
  • Tubing for gas supply
  • Spare parts kit.
  • Empty columns for setup

 

Key Safety Notes:

  • Follow all chemical, biological, and radiation safety policies.
  • Secure pressurized gas cylinders and cap them when not in use.
  • Use needle-or ball valve type shutoff valves on gas regulators.
  • All reagent handling and disposal should be performed under a certified fume hood.
  • Flammable solvents must be stored in approved fireproof cabinets.
  • Ensure all personnel have received chemical handling and lab safety training.

 

Computer Setup and Use Summary:

  • The computer supplied includes only one Ethernet (LAN) port. If network access is required, customers may need to provide a USB-to-Ethernet adapter or USB Wi-Fi dongle.
  • If a customer supplies their own computer, it must allow for a static IP address assignment or provide access for Sierra Biosystems or K&A personnel to configure one.
  • If a Windows Update occurs during synthesis, it may interrupt a synthesis run. Customers are responsible for managing their system's update settings according to their IT policies.