During a sequencing run, you might observe an increase in inactive channels on your duty time plot. If the mux scan shows an increase in saturated pores then this indicates additional membrane stress.

Membrane stress can be caused by changes in salt concentration or pH and the presence of surfactants.

The mux scan plot below shows an example of a run with increasing saturated pores.

Contaminants can cause osmotic imbalance and membrane stress. The effects of certain contaminants are described on the Contaminants Know-how page.

Please consider an alternative extraction method that does not result in contaminant carryover, and always make sure you QC your input DNA/RNA according to our guidelines.