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The MinION Mk1B
This is a pocket-sized, portable device for biological analysis of DNA or RNA samples. It can be used with MinION Flow Cells, as well as the Flongle Adapter and flow cells. The device is plugged into a computer and is operated by MinKNOW that controls the device, experimental scripts, and performs basecalling.
Below is a quick start guide to set up a new device for sequencing library samples. For further details using this device, please see the MinION Mk1B User Manual.
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Download and install the MinKNOW software.
Download the MinKNOW Standalone Software for the MinION Mk1B from the Software Downloads page and extract the .zip files. Follow the installation prompts to install the software.
The MinKNOW App is also available to download for iOS and Android devices to enable you to monitor experiment progress remotely.
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Set up your MinION Mk1B with a host computer.
Connect your device to the host computer via the USB 3.0 cable. Lights will be visible inside the MinION Mk1B device and the fan may be audible.
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Log into MinKNOW.
Double-click on the MinKNOW icon on your desktop.
Click on Log in with your Nanopore account.
Enter your email address and Nanopore password.
The Connection Manager will open, and your device will be the card in the top left corner.
Click on My device card to access and control it.
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Tutorials
These are available to help you get started and run your experiments as easily as possible.
On opening the MinKNOW software for the first time, the tutorials will navigate you through the graphical user interface (GUI). Click Continue tutorial to follow or click the ⁞ to skip.
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Perform a hardware check.
A hardware check must be completed on your new device or after software has been updated.
Open the MinION Mk1B and slide your CTC under the clip. Gently press down onto the CTC until it clicks into place. To check a Flongle Adapter, insert an empty adapter instead of a CTC.
Close the device lid.
Navigate to the Start tab and click Hardware check.
Click Start and the hardware check will complete after approximately 1 minute.
After the hardware check has finished, remove the CTCs and store in dry conditions.
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Perform a flow cell check.
A flow cell check must be carried out before loading a DNA or RNA library to assess the number of pores available.
Open the device and slide your flow cell under the clip. Firmly press down on the flow cell. For Flongle, slide the Flongle Adapter under the clip and insert a Flongle Flow Cell.
Navigate to the Start page and click Flow Cell Check.
MinKNOW will recognise the MinION Flow Cell type and IDs.
Note: For Flongle, fill in the flow cell ID manually.Click Start and the flow cell check will begin.
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Set up a sequencing run.
Prime and load your flow cell with DNA or RNA library by following a library prep protocol and set up a sequencing run, as follows:
Navigate to the Start page and click Start Sequencing.
In the Positions tab, fill in the experiment name, sample ID, and select the flow cell type. Click Continue to kit selection.
Note: For Flongle, fill in the flow cell ID manually.Select the kit and any expansion(s) used to prepare the library. Click Continue to run options.
Specify the sequencing run length and minimum read length or keep the default settings. Click Continue to analysis.
Choose your basecaller model and select any available barcoding and alignment options or keep the default settings. Click Continue to output.
Specify your output data location, format and filtering options or keep the default settings. Click Continue to final review.
Click Start.
For further details, please see the Starting a sequencing run section for your device in the MinKNOW protocol.