| With the breakneck pace of the technological | | | | levels for its block uniformity. |
| upgrades in our modern society, it is no wonder that | | | | 4. Interchangeable Blocks with multiple block formats |
| the science driving a pcr thermal cycler, also known as | | | | The needs of a laboratory can be very dynamic. Be |
| a thermocycler, is ever improving. When looking to | | | | careful to ensure that your thermocycler has the |
| purchase a thermocycler for the first time or looking to | | | | capability to change out the block. If your block fails or |
| upgrade your DNA testing capabilities in your | | | | your lab needs to change to a different block format, |
| laboratory, here are some features to look for in order | | | | you can simply purchase a new block rather than an |
| to obtain the most cutting edge technological | | | | entirely new instrument. This simple step could |
| advancements in the field. | | | | potentially save you thousands of dollars. |
| 1. Fast Temperature Changes | | | | 5. Gradient and Non-Gradient Capabilities |
| Increased speed in temperature alterations will save | | | | When you integrate gradient technology into your pcr |
| you untold amounts of time in the laboratory. | | | | thermal cycler will make it a much more robust |
| Performing DNA testing, you should be able to switch | | | | instrument. This feature will undoubtedly save your |
| temperatures at a quick pace to keep you running the | | | | laboratory tons of time by allowing you to test |
| tests you need done. | | | | samples at multiple temperatures on a single run. This |
| 2. Short Settling Time | | | | gradient thermal cycler feature is a must have. |
| Once your pcr thermal cycler gets to the appropriate | | | | 6. Small Instrument Footprint |
| temperature, the instrument will need additional time to | | | | Laboratory space is limited. Don't find yourself with a |
| settle and stabilize into a precise zone. Look for | | | | gigantic bulky machine. Advancements in thermocycler |
| models which provide short stabilization intervals to | | | | technology have made it possible to drastically reduce |
| increase your throughput. | | | | the instrument's footprint. |
| 3. Precise Block Temperature Uniformity | | | | 7. Adequate Memory for Programming |
| One of the largest factors in testing repeatability is | | | | Ensure that your pcr thermal cycler has an amble |
| thermocycler block uniformity. Regardless of the | | | | amount of memory allocated for user programming. It |
| location where temperature measurements are taken | | | | can be a pain programming the same protocol over |
| across the block, the reading should be the same. | | | | and over again. Save yourself the headache by |
| Ensure your pcr thermal cycler has tight tolerance | | | | getting the proper amount of memory. |