Micro Volume Quantitation Measurement of Nucleic Acid using Nano Stick with UV-1280

Importance of the topic

Quantitation of nucleic acids in microvolumes is essential for modern life science research, clinical diagnostics and quality control. Reducing sample consumption while ensuring accurate measurement helps preserve precious samples and accelerates workflows in genomics, molecular biology and bioanalytical laboratories.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study demonstrates the performance of the SINCO Nano Stick microliter cuvette used with the Shimadzu UV-1280 spectrophotometer for DNA quantitation in volumes as low as 2–3 µl. Key goals were to assess linearity across a broad concentration range and evaluate repeatability of measurements.

Used Instrumentation

• Shimadzu UV-1280 UV–VIS Spectrophotometer
• SINCO Nano Stick microvolume cuvette (0.5 mm pathlength)

Methodology

Calf thymus DNA stock (1 mg/ml) was serially diluted in TE buffer (pH 8.0) to yield concentrations from 25 to 1000 ng/µl. Three microliters of each sample were loaded into the Nano Stick, with care to avoid bubbles using the built-in checker. Absorbance spectra from 220 to 350 nm were recorded in Spectrum mode (5 nm slit, 1 nm pitch). For precision assessment, a 500 ng/µl sample was measured ten times at 260 nm in DNA Quantitation mode.

Main Results and Discussion

Absorbance spectra showed a clear peak at 260 nm and minimal baseline drift at 320 nm across all standards. The calibration curve displayed excellent linearity over 25–1000 ng/µl with a slope of 0.00093 and a correlation coefficient r² = 0.99953. Ten replicates at 500 ng/µl yielded an average absorbance of 0.451, a standard deviation of 0.006 and an RSD of 1.32 %, demonstrating high repeatability.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The combination of the Nano Stick and UV-1280 offers:

• Low sample volume requirements (2–3 µl), preserving precious material
• High linearity across a wide concentration range
• Excellent repeatability and minimal carryover risk
• Rapid, user-friendly operation in routine and high-throughput settings

Future Trends and Applications

Advances in microvolume cuvette design and UV–VIS detector sensitivity will further reduce sample volumes and enhance throughput. Integration with automated pipetting systems and data analysis software will streamline workflows in genomics, proteomics and diagnostics. Nanophotonic enhancements may enable direct measurement of even smaller volumes and complex matrices.

Conclusion

The SINCO Nano Stick used with the Shimadzu UV-1280 spectrophotometer provides a robust solution for microvolume nucleic acid quantitation. It delivers accurate, reproducible results while minimizing sample consumption and operational complexity.