Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer System G2939A

Overview

The Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer System (G2939A) is a benchtop microfluidic electrophoresis platform engineered for high-reproducibility qualitative and quantitative analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. Unlike conventional slab-gel electrophoresis or capillary systems, the Bioanalyzer employs disposable Lab-on-a-Chip cartridges—integrated microchannels with embedded sieving matrices and fluorescent dyes—to perform automated, miniaturized electrophoretic separations under precisely controlled electric fields. Each run delivers digital electropherograms and virtual gel images with calibrated molecular weight and concentration data, enabling standardized assessment of sample integrity, purity, and yield. Launched in 2006, this system established the industry benchmark for RNA Integrity Number (RIN) calculation—a proprietary, algorithm-driven metric now adopted globally in transcriptomics, NGS library QC, and biopharmaceutical development workflows.

Key Features

• Integrated microfluidic chip technology with pre-packaged reagents and detection dyes
• Simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of DNA, total RNA, small RNA (6–150 nt), and proteins in a single run
• Automated sample loading, separation, detection, and data processing—no staining, destaining, or imaging required
• RIN calculation engine compliant with ISO/IEC 17025-aligned validation protocols for RNA quality control
• Standardized assay kits including DNA 1000, RNA 6000 Nano, Small RNA, and High Sensitivity Protein 250
• Throughput of up to 12 nucleic acid samples or 10 protein samples per 30-minute run
• Sample consumption as low as 1 µL (nucleic acids) or 4 µL (proteins)
• Detection sensitivity: 1 ng/µL for double-stranded DNA; 10 ng/µL for total RNA; 1 pg/µL for proteins using HS Protein 250 Kit
• Linear dynamic range: 5–500 ng/µL for RNA 6000 Nano Kit

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer supports a broad spectrum of biological samples—including purified genomic DNA, cDNA, total RNA, enriched small RNA fractions, and denatured proteins—across academic, clinical research, and GMP-adjacent environments. All assay kits are manufactured under Agilent’s ISO 13485-certified quality system. While the instrument itself is designated “For Research Use Only” (RUO) per FDA 21 CFR §809.10, its data output meets traceability and audit-readiness requirements for GLP-compliant laboratories when paired with secure user access controls and electronic lab notebook (ELN) integration. The system complies with IEC 61000-4 electromagnetic compatibility standards and operates within standard laboratory ambient conditions (15–30°C, 20–80% RH non-condensing).

Software & Data Management

The Bioanalyzer operates exclusively via Agilent 2100 Expert Software (vB.02.x or later), which provides full instrument control, real-time electropherogram visualization, automated band calling, RIN computation, and export of normalized peak area, migration time, and concentration values. Raw data files (.xdr) are structured in XML-based format, supporting long-term archival and third-party analysis pipelines (e.g., Bioconductor, Python pandas). Audit trail functionality logs all user actions, parameter changes, and calibration events—fully compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed on validated Windows OS environments with role-based authentication and electronic signatures.

Applications

• RNA quality control prior to qRT-PCR, microarray hybridization, or next-generation sequencing library preparation
• Verification of ribosomal RNA ratios (28S:18S) and degradation profiling in FFPE-derived or low-input samples
• Small RNA profiling for miRNA discovery, exosome characterization, and regulatory RNA studies
• dsDNA fragment analysis for ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and CRISPR editing efficiency assessment
• Protein purity and aggregation screening in recombinant expression workflows
• QC release testing of therapeutic oligonucleotides and mRNA vaccine intermediates

FAQ

Is this unit fully refurbished and performance-verified?
Yes. This G2939A system underwent comprehensive functional testing at SpectraLab Scientific, including chip priming, voltage calibration, photomultiplier gain verification, and multi-kit validation using Agilent-certified standards.
What documentation accompanies the instrument?
Shipping includes original Agilent operation manual (English), software installation media, calibration certificates, test reports, and a 6-month limited warranty covering parts and labor.
Are consumables included or available separately?
No chips or reagent kits are included, but SpectraLab maintains inventory of all legacy and current-generation Bioanalyzer consumables—including RNA 6000 Pico, DNA 7500, and Small RNA kits—with bulk pricing available upon request.
Can the system be integrated into LIMS or enterprise data systems?
Yes. The 2100 Expert Software supports ODBC-compliant database exports and CSV/XML data dumps, enabling direct ingestion into LIMS platforms such as LabVantage, Thermo Fisher SampleManager, or custom SQL-based repositories.
Does the instrument support remote diagnostics or service contracts?
While Agilent no longer offers official support for the 2100 platform, SpectraLab provides optional extended service agreements with on-site technician dispatch and remote troubleshooting via TeamViewer-assisted screen sharing.