The Techne TC-Plus thermal cycler, with one of the fastest aluminium blocks on the market, can contribute to significant reductions in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) processing times by using faster ramp rates, modified programs and modified reaction mixes.
Time savings are an advantage in most laboratories and the Techne TC-Plus is the ideal tool for use when optimising conditions for fast PCR protocols. This thermal cycler offers flexible programming and rapid block ramp rates of up to 5ºC per second. Comparing identical PCR programmes on the TC-Plus and on the slower TC-512 gave a time saving of around 30 minutes, simply by using faster ramping. There were no appreciable differences in yield or sensitivity between the two thermal cyclers.
Reagents specifically formulated for fast PCR contain specialised enzymes and stabilisers to facilitate rapid ramping and short hold times. Use of a fast PCR mix gave improved yield and sensitivity compared with the standard mix when running a fast protocol on the TC-PLUS.
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