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The MinION Mk1B
The MinION Mk1B instrument is an electronic device that provides the interface between the user’s PC and the nanopore sensor. It also provides power to the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), performs temperature control, shields the sensor from electronic noise, and transfers data to the PC. The device measures 105 mm x 33 mm x 23 mm.
The MinION Mk1B has a sensor and control program to maintain the temperature during a sequencing run and dissipate the heat generated from the ASIC. There is no active heating element in the device; heat from the ASIC and control of the fan speed are sufficient to allow the MinION Mk1B to maintain a steady temperature of 37° C in environments ranging from 18° C to 24° C.
The metal case of the MinION Mk1B is electrically grounded to the printed circuit board and protects the sensor from electric fields. Continuity between PCB, instrument enclosure and lid is provided by magnetic contacts and a conductive hinge assembly. A magnetic shield is also present to further reduce noise in the signal.
Power and data transfer is achieved through a single USB 3.0 port. This provides all power required by the instrument and ASIC (5 V @ 900 mA max). Data transfer rates on USB 3.0 are sufficient to handle all 512 recording channels outputting raw data at 33 kHz.
The MinION Mk1B is shipped together with a USB cable and a Configuration Test Cell.
The MinION Mk1B is adaptable for DNA, RNA sequencing, protein sensing and other nanopore sensing techniques. The MinION Mk1B is operated using the MinKNOW™ software, which also performs basecalling. Other basecalling and analysis options are available in Oxford Nanopore's range of software.
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The MinION Mk1C
The MinION Mk1C combines the real-time, rapid, portable sequencing of a MinION Mk1B with a Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) and a high-resolution screen. The device applies the technology of the MinION Mk1B with the basecalling power of the MinIT and the additional features of smartphone, such as a cellular modem and touch screen.
MinKNOW is the control software for Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing platforms and it comes installed on the MinION Mk1C, without the need of a laptop.