PCR machine, did you really choose the right one?

Dr.

Rapid temperature change

Now, rapid PCR has become a trend

However, if you pay attention, you will usually find that there is a Max in front of the ramp rate, which means that the manufacturer announces the maximum temperature change rate

Of course, the temperature change rate of the sample is not as high as that of the module

Taking the Applied Biosystems ProFlex™ PCR system as an example, the maximum temperature change rate of the 96-well and the new 3x32-well module reaches 6.

Accurate temperature control

For PCR reactions, the most important thing is the accuracy of temperature control

The accuracy of the temperature control algorithm will undoubtedly affect the accuracy of the temperature control

For a 96-well plate PCR machine, another important parameter is temperature uniformity, which refers to the temperature difference between wells

For gradient PCR, the requirements for temperature accuracy seem to be higher

The heating module of a traditional gradient PCR instrument is composed of two Peltier elements that are individually temperature-controlled.

Applied Biosystems has a unique design in this regard.

Request detailed information about Applied Biosystems' new PCR instrument now

Another nightmare for researchers is that the PCR reaction will evaporate

Flexible replacement

Although the PCR machine has been gradually designed as a personal instrument, it is really not practical to have one in the laboratory

Many PCR machines allow replacement of sample modules, including 96-well, dual-48-well, and 384-well

Bio-Rad's C1000 Touch thermal cycler also provides 4 interchangeable modules, including 96-well, 96-deep-well, 48-well and 384-well

Good experience

The performance should be high-end and the operation can be simple, which is also an important consideration when purchasing a PCR instrument

Fortunately, today's manufacturers have taken this into consideration when designing, and have adopted huge touch screens
.
Some people may not be used to it yet, but most people enjoy the process of setting up a program with just a few clicks
.
As the first touch-screen PCR machine on the market, Veriti PCR was welcomed by many customers when it was launched
.
Hugo Hilton, a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, once said: "The touch screen display is very intuitive, allowing users to understand the reaction process at a glance
.
" Subsequently, Bio-Rad also launched the C1000 and T100 touch-type PCR instruments
.
With the rapid development of touch screen technology, more and more sensitive and fast-response PCR machines have been produced, such as Applied Biosystems' ProFlex and SimpliAmp, which feel the same as the iPad
.

Remote access also enhances the user experience.
It allows users to adjust operations and view preliminary results via smartphones or tablets
.
When using the ProFlex PCR system, you can use the free My ProFlex mobile client to connect remotely from your office, conference room, home, or even any other place, to check the operation of the PCR experiment, or to check which module is available
.

As the application of PCR becomes more and more widespread, people also hope to take the PCR machine out of the laboratory, to the clinic and the field
.
Some manufacturers have also introduced portable PCR machines, such as Ahram Biosystems
.
However, in most cases, the instrument is still placed on a crowded laboratory bench
.
Moreover, some necessary components are indispensable, such as heating elements, power supplies and so on
.
Therefore, a high-performance PCR instrument still occupies a certain volume
.
Now, however, even the sequencer related to U disk as big, and what it is not possible
.

Over the past thirty years, PCR has brought us many surprises
.
In the future, the performance of the instrument will be higher, the operation will be easier, and the functions will be more diverse, but the choice will be more difficult
.
Keep your eyes open, see what you really need, and then make a decision
.
(Biological Tong Yuliang)