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Temperature
100
Block temperature
curves
(all 6 zones)
90
Average
ramp rate
temperature
range
80
70
Sample
temperature
curves
(all 6 zones)
60
Time
Figure 1. Real block and sample temperature curves from all six zones during up ramp on
the ProFlex 96-well PCR System. The dotted lines indicate the temperature range sampled
for the maximum ramp rate and the average ramp rate.
Temperature (C)
Figure 2. Block overshoot thermal energy. The reaction block (blue) and sample (red) temperature curves and associated block overshoot thermal
energy (green) during a heating phase that is ideally controlled. The dotted line indicates the set temperature for this phase.
Table 1. Measured and published data from the ProFlex PCR System.
ProFlex PCR System
True measured data
Max block (C/sec)
Block type
Up ramp
Down ramp
Up ramp
Down ramp
1 x 96-well
6.4
5.9
4.6
4.3
3 x 32-well
6.2
5.6
4.4
4.2
6.0
4.4
Table 2. Comparison of average maximum block ramp rates of several thermal cycler manufacturers.
Block type
Published
Measured
Published
Published
Measured
Measured
Up
Down
Up
Down
Up
Down
Up
Down
Up
Down
Up
Down
1 x 96-well
6.0
6.0
6.4
5.9
6.0
4.5
5.4
3.9
5.0
5.0
2.4
3 x 32-well
6.0
6.0
6.2
5.6
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Summary
Precision temperature control by a thermal cycler
is crucial for the accuracy and efficiency of PCR
experiments. Multiple instrument-specific factors,
including the actual instrument ramp rates, sample
temperature, and how the thermal cycler ensures
accurate overshoot calculation, contribute to the integrity
and performance of PCR assays.
Our patented algorithm uniquely enables our thermal
cyclers to control the temperature of the sample, not
just the block. This provides a more accurate way of
achieving set temperatures, displaying ramp rates,
ensuring adherence to the programmed protocol, and
evaluating an instruments true performance.
References
1. ProFlex PCR System User Guide. P/N MAN0007697, Rev 2.0.
2. Kim YH, Yang I, Bae YS, Park SR (2008) Performance evaluation of
thermal cyclers for PCR in a rapid cycling condition. BioTechniques
44:495505.