TapeStation

TapeStation is a benchtop analytical instrument developed by Agilent Technologies for rapid quality control and sizing of nucleic acids and proteins using a microfluidic tape-based platform. It automates electrophoretic separation on disposable screenTape chips, enabling quick assessment of fragment size distribution and concentration.

The instrument uses pre-packaged screenTape consumables, which contain microfluidic channels and reagents. Samples are loaded in small volumes, and the system performs separation, detection via fluorescence, and software-based analysis. The output includes electropherograms and virtual gel images, along with quantitative metrics such as fragment size distribution, concentration, and integrity indicators for DNA and RNA. Common assay types include DNA ScreenTape, RNA ScreenTape, and other protein-related screens, enabling users to evaluate library quality, amplicon products, and degraded samples.

Applications: TapeStation is widely used in sequencing facilities and molecular biology workflows for QC of NGS libraries, genomic DNA quality, RNA integrity (RINe-like measures), and fragment analysis prior to downstream steps. It is valued for speed, reduced sample consumption, and ease of use compared with traditional gel electrophoresis or capillary systems, though it relies on predefined assay ranges and consumables.

Limitations: While providing rapid, standardized metrics, TapeStation measurements are relative and assay-dependent; absolute quantification may require complementary methods. The system requires regular maintenance, calibration, and purchase of screenTape consumables.

See also: DNA fragment analysis; sequencing library QC; electrophoresis; nucleic acid integrity.