Cancer research and liquid biopsy

KingFisher systems and kits are ready to support today's cancer research and are constantly evolving alongside the oncology field. Through versatile functionality, these tools provide a solution that enables workflows across a variety of downstream translational cancer research applications.

Sample preparation for cancer research

cancer edu page

Kits, reagents, and protocols

KingFisher systems are optimized for MagMAX kits, SMART Digest kits, and Dynabeads purification kits and reagents for extraction of nucleic acids, proteins, and cells. They are also designed to adapt to your changing research needs. That’s why we include free software with all KingFisher instruments so that you can create, modify, and store your own protocols or download tested protocols from our website.

 

To select the best kit for your application, and to view compatible protocols for download, see the Kits, Reagents, and Protocols tab or go directly to our selection guide.

Customer Stories

6:30

Identifying circulating tumor cells (CTCs)

Dr. Rui P. L. Neves, University of Düsseldorf, explains why an automated, sensitive, precise, and accurate solution is needed to detect and isolate CTCs. (6:30)
3:49

Automated capture of exosomes

Ketil Winter Pedersen, Thermo Fisher Scientific, describes how easy it was to transfer manual exosome isolation protocols to automated KingFisher systems. (3:49)
3:26

Investigating liquid microbiome samples

Hannah E. Saunders, Thermo Fisher Scientific, discusses how automated sample prep for liquid biopsies increases both reproducibility and throughput. (3:26)
21:24

Automated sample preparation symposium

Birgit Osterhoff, Thermo Fisher Scientific, moderates a panel on sample prep automation at the 2019 European Society of Human Genetics conference. Topics include effects of automation on downstream applications such as NGS and digital PCR, the need for different chemistries to extract DNA from different samples, tips and tricks for getting optimal results, and the future of automated sample prep. (21:24)

Documentation and literature

Demos and how-to videos

KingFisher Apex

2:15

KingFisher Apex Purification System video

KingFisher Field Application Specialists Christian Kis and Dave Eckert explain the new advanced features of the KingFisher Apex Purification System. (2:15)
1:31

How to remove transportation locks

Explains how to remove the transportation locks after receiving and unpacking your KingFisher Apex. (1:31)
1:33

How to power on and shut down the instrument

Explains how to connect cables, power on, and shut down the KingFisher Apex instrument. (1:33)
2:55

How to secure transport locks

Shows you how to remove the magnetic heads and heating blocks and resecure the transport locks before moving the KingFisher Apex instrument. (2:55)
1:20

How to install UV lamp and run UV decontamination protocol

Explains how to install the UV lamp and run the protocol to decontaminate your KingFisher Apex instrument. (1:20)
1:43

How to change or remove heat blocks

Demonstrates how to insert, change, and unload the heat blocks on the KingFisher Apex instrument. (1:43)
2:43

Installation and deinstallation of magnet head and alignment tip check

Explains how to install and deinstall one or both magnet heads and check the alignment of the tip combs. (2:43)
1:00

How to unload tip comb

Shows how to release and unload the tip comb from the KingFisher Apex instrument. (1:00)
1:37

How to transfer, export and search protocols on instrument

Explains how to import and export protocols from or to a flash drive and search for protocols by kit. (1:37)
2:21

How to run a protocol

Shows how to select a protocol to run, add plates, and execute the protocol. (2:21)
1:07

How to view and export an individual run report

Demonstrates how to view a report of a KingFisher Apex run or save it on a flash drive or to cloud storage. (1:07)
1:01

How to connect to internet with WiFi dongle

Explains how to use a dongle to connect to a WiFi network from your KingFisher Apex instrument. (1:01)

KingFisher Flex

4:41

KingFisher Flex immunoprecipitation demo

This short video demonstrates KingFisher plate setup and automated processing of Dynabeads for immunoprecipitation. (4:41)
27:28

KingFisher Flex live demo

KingFisher Field Application Specialist Christian Kis explains how KingFisher automated sample prep works and demonstrates the KingFisher Flex in action. (27:28)
1:23

How to unbox the KingFisher Flex

Guides you through the process of safely unboxing your KingFisher Flex instrument. (1:23)
1:15

How to remove transportation locks

Explains how to remove the transportation locks after unboxing your KingFisher Flex. (1:25)
1:45

How to install the tip shield

Demonstrates how to install the tip shield on the KingFisher Flex. (1:45)
1:15

How to power on

Explains which cables to connect and how to power on the KingFisher Flex instrument. (1:15)
1:06

How to change the heat block

Guides you through the process of changing the heat block on the KingFisher Flex instrument. (1:06)
2:36

How to install the magnet head and check the tip comb

Explains how to install the KingFisher Flex magnet head and check the tip comb before loading the instrument. (2:36)
0:49

How to connect the computer and use BindIt software

Demonstrates how to connect the KingFisher Flex to a laptop and install the BindIt software. (0:49)
1:17

How to transfer BindIt software protocols

Explains how to upload a BindIt protocol from your laptop to your KingFisher Flex instrument. (1:17)
1:07

How to remove the magnet head

Steps to safely remove the magnet head from the KingFisher Flex instrument. (1:17)

KingFisher Presto

3:01

KingFisher Presto demo video

This short video demonstrates how the KingFisher Presto integrates with a robotic liquid handler for hands-free automated sample purification. (3:02)

KingFisher Duo Prime

2:49

KingFisher Duo Prime demo video

This short video demonstrates how the KingFisher Duo Prime can help you achieve high-quality, high-yield sample preparation with fewer manual steps. (2:49)
2:31

How to unpack and ready the KingFisher Duo Prime

Guides you through the process of safely unpacking, connecting, and powering on your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (2:31)
3:31

Running a demo protocol

Shows how to start the demo protocol that demonstrates the capabilities and operation of your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (3:31)
1:06

How to transfer files from USB

Explains how to import a protocol script from a USB drive to your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (1:06)
1:02

UV decontamination process

Explains how to use the UV lamp to decontaminate your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (1:02)
1:29

How to do a tip comb check

Demonstrates how to run the maintenance protocol to check tip comb calibration on your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (1:29)
2:05

How to install magnet head

Explains how to install the magnetic head into your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (2:05)
1:41

How to remove magnet head

Demonstrates how to remove or change the magnetic head in your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (1:41)
0:45

How to install heat blocks

Demonstrates how to install the two heat blocks into your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (0:45)
0:38

How to remove heat blocks

Shows how to remove the two heat blocks from your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (0:38)
3:36

How to pack instrument for transport

Shows how to remove the magnets and heat blocks and set the transport locks prior to moving your KingFisher Duo Prime instrument. (3:36)

Webinars

21:08

Automated sample preparation solutions for DNA, RNA, proteins, and cells

In this recording, Christian Kis, field application scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, discusses automated purification solutions that increase consistency and save you time for your research. He gave an outstanding presentation on some of our Sample Preparation solutions—KingFisher, MagMAX, ChargeSwitch No-Spin, and DynaGreen beads—during a product spotlight session at the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) 2023 opening night reception.
1:01:36

Innovations in Vaccine Research and Development

In this webinar Thermo Fisher scientists give an overview of vaccine platforms and attributes, and discuss new vaccine research and development workflows in relation to SARS-CoV-2. Emphasis will be placed on the tools and workflows enabling rapid progress in vaccine development: innovative plasmid purification kits, RNA and DNA purification kits and reagents, and next-gen protein expression systems.
48:49

Webinar: Learn how to maximize KingFisher instruments

In this webinar, Thermo Fisher scientists provide information on transitioning to other applications including 1) detection of cell-free DNA, 2) genetic testing, 3) detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples, 4) detection of vaginal and urinary tract infections, as well as 5) detection of proteins for use in downstream applications.
32:52

Webinar: Accelerated high-throughput workflows advanced with automation

In this webinar, Thermo Fisher scientists demonstrate why saliva is an effective tool for infectious disease research, they help you identify how sample transfer automation can enable your lab to do more, and how you can better serve your nucleic acid purification workflows.

Software updates

If you already own a KingFisher Flex, Duo Prime, or Presto system, check for and download BindIt Software updates here.

If you already own a KingFisher Apex system, use one of these methods to download the latest BindIx software.

Method Instructions
Web link Double-click the downloaded package to start the installation process
Microsoft Store Click Get, then Install
USB drive from manufacturer Double-click the .msix bundle file, then click Install

System requirements: Windows 10 version 1809 (17763.0) or higher

Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center

In the Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center, part of our Nucleic Acid Purification and Analysis Support Center, you can find tips and troubleshooting suggestions for KingFisher instruments and related Thermo Fisher Scientific products. Among the resources are:

  • Getting started FAQs
  • Troubleshooting FAQs
  • Documents (application notes, brochures, posters, technical notes)
  • Online resources (overviews, citations, selection guides, protocols, TechNotes)
  • Training, events, and webinars (gateways to Thermo Fisher Scientific courses, webinars, and trade shows)
  • Tools, software and calculators (downloadable protocols and scripts, DNA and RNA molecular weights and conversions)
  • Mobile and desktop apps (smart phone app for everyday lab calculations)
  • Services (instrument management, custom RNA, and mRNA services)

Citations

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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