Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) thermal cyclers carry out PCR procedures in the laboratory. Samples are put on a block and exposed to a cycle of different temperatures.
Esco's conventional and real-time thermal cyclers are designed to meet critical requirements for various PCR applications. Its state-of-the-art Peltier temperature control technology achieves and maintains precise control and fast ramp rates with minimal over or under-shoot for process speed and accuracy. Esco thermal cyclers have different block configurations, adjustable hot lid and temperature, applicable for standalone operation, and have low footprint suitable for small laboratories.
Polymerase Chain Reaction amplifies nucleic acids in vitro, emulating the natural DNA replication process. PCR amplification is achieved using a thermal cycler by raising and lowering the temperature of samples in a thermal block in cycles of programmed steps.
Polymerase chain reaction refers to a test tube system for DNA replication that allows a “target” DNA sequence to be selectively amplified. Typically, PCR consists of a series of 20–40 repeated temperature changes, called cycles, with each cycle, commonly consisting of 2–3 discrete temperature steps.
Real-time PCR thermal cyclers provide a system for the efficient amplification of nucleic acids in vitro, while offering capability to monitoring the PCR reaction in real-time.
SWT-MIP-0.5
Swift™ MiniPro® Thermal Cycler
Specifications:
- Excellent temperature accuracy and uniformity
- High heating and cooling rate up to 5°C/sec
- Compact footprint
- Fast setup and run
- Password protection for secure system access
- Sample capacity: 18 x 0.5 ml
SWT-MIP-0.2
Swift™ MiniPro® Thermal Cycler
Specifications:
- Excellent temperature accuracy and uniformity
- High heating and cooling rate up to 5°C/sec
- Compact footprint
- Fast setup and run
- Password protection for secure system access
- Sample capacity: 24 x 0.2 ml
AERIS-MB + AERIS-BG096
Aeris™ Thermal Cycler
Specifications:
- Multi-block capability
- Adjustable hot lid temperature and ramp rate
- Excellent temperature accuracy and uniformity
- Can perform standalone operation
- Software allows variety of PCR conditions, can control up to 30 units via one PC
- Password protection for secure system access
- Sample capacity: 96 x 0.2 ml
AERIS-MB + AERIS-B4830
Aeris™ Thermal Cycler
Specifications:
- Multi-block capability
- Adjustable hot lid temperature and ramp rate
- Excellent temperature accuracy and uniformity
- Can perform standalone operation
- Software allows variety of PCR conditions, can control up to 30 units via one PC
- Password protection for secure system access
- Sample capacity: 48 x 0.2 ml + 30 x 0.5 ml
AERIS-MB + AERIS-BG384
Aeris™ Thermal Cycler
Specifications:
- Multi-block capability
- Adjustable hot lid temperature and ramp rate
- Excellent temperature accuracy and uniformity
- Can perform standalone operation
- Software allows variety of PCR conditions, can control up to 30 units via one PC
- Password protection for secure system access
- Sample capacity: 384 wells
AERIS-MB + AERIS-BD048
Aeris™ Thermal Cycler
Specifications:
- Multi-block capability
- Adjustable hot lid temperature and ramp rate
- Excellent temperature accuracy and uniformity
- Can perform standalone operation
- Software allows variety of PCR conditions, can control up to 30 units via one PC
- Password protection for secure system access
- Sample capacity: 48 x 0.2 ml ( two independent runs )
AERIS-MB + AERIS-B4076
Aeris™ Thermal Cycler
Specifications:
- Multi-block capability
- Adjustable hot lid temperature and ramp rate
- Excellent temperature accuracy and uniformity
- Can perform standalone operation
- Software allows variety of PCR conditions, can control up to 30 units via one PC
- Password protection for secure system access
- Sample capacity: 4 slides ( In-situ )
SWT-PG-96
Swift™ ProGene Real-Time PCR Thermal Cycler
Specifications:
- Offers 6-zone independent temperature control for accurate results
- Fast heating/cooling rate for faster run time
- Low energy consumption
- Built-in computer for stand-alone operation from PCR program input, monitoring, to analysis.
- Touchscreen display
- Multiple configurations (quantification, SNP, and HRM analysis)
- Standard 5 channels plus additional for user customization, allowing specific detection of particular wavelength
- Automatic insertion and ejection of PCR plates or tubes to the system.
Conventional and Real-time PCR differ in their detection. For conventional or traditional PCR, no signal detection mechanism is involved. Samples need to be subjected to gel electrophoresis for end-point analysis. Real-time PCR combines the amplification, detection, and analysis into one procedure.
Polymerase chain reaction mimics the natural replication of the genetic material in our cells. DNA replication is achieved in cells through the concerted activities of enzymes and proteins found inside the cell. PCR replicates this natural process by cycling temperature to repeatedly break up and anneal the nucleic acids instead of a multitude of enzymes and proteins. Thermal cycler simplifies this into an input program to cycle the temperature throughout the PCR process.
The thermocycling capability of Esco conventional thermal cyclers is achieved through Peltier modules to ensure that the samples are incubated at the specified temperature.
The primary PCR stages include denaturation, annealing, and extension. Some PCR kits have initial denaturation step to start the PCR process. Others also have annealing and extension in one step.
Aeris™ thermal cycler can perform gradient PCR for 12 different temperature points on the block. The temperature is the same for each column and increasing from left to right.
Aeris™ thermal cycler can accommodate a variety of consumables with its exchangeable blocks.
AERIS-BG096: 0.2 ml tubes, 96-well microplates, 12x0.8 strips, 8x12 strips
AERIS-B4830: 0.2 ml tubes, 0.5 ml tubes, 4x12 strips
AERIS-BG384: 384-well microplates
AERIS-BD048: 0.2 ml tubes, 6x8 strips
AERIS-B4076: 4 slides
Esco Swift™ MiniPro and Aeris™ thermal cyclers are applicable for use with different PCR kits and commercial mastermixes. User is advised to validate the reagent’s protocol before using it for multiple experiments or tests.
Swift™ MiniPro thermal cycler can store up to 100 protocols. Aeris™ thermal cycler can store up to 250 programs with unlimited data export to USB.
Esco conventional thermal cyclers can accommodate 10-100 µl volume of sample.
The typical protocol involves fixation of samples in slides to preserve the structure. PCR mastermix is added to the glass slide containing the fixed sample. To further prevent any instance of evaporation of reagents, a variety of options are available including: anchoring of coverslip with nail polish, overlaying coverslip with mineral oil, or commercial cover seals.