Things That You Need to Know
Before Getting Started  

1. You will need to gel quantify your DNA before getting started.  
2. Beckman sequencing requires more DNA that ABI sequencing. Check the protocol for details.
3. Beckman cycle sequencing takes more time than ABI or Amersham cycle sequencing.
4. The Beckman dyes are more sensitive to light and heat than the ABI dyes.
5. Beckman sequencing products are most stable in solution and should not be stored dry as with ABI or Amersham sequencing products.
6. It takes ~2 hours to run eight samples on the Beckman sequencer (96 samples = 24 h)
7. The DNA to be sequenced must be dissolved in water or 10mM Tris-HCl pH 8.5. EDTA can inhibit reactions and therefore should not be present.
8. Only Beckman chemistry will work with this machine. You cannot use ABI or Amersham reagents.
9. The Beckman sequencer averages 500 – 600 base pairs of usable data per sequence.
10. Beckman electropherograms are slightly different in appearance to ABI electropherograms.
11. Read directions carefully before getting started. There are some variations in protocol for different types of DNA and different kits.