BJS Biotechnologies has launched its new rapid next-generation thermal cycler, UF1. UF1 increases the speed of DNA amplification by up to ten-fold, opening up opportunities for the use of PCR in Point-of-Care diagnosis. Thermal cyclers raise and lower the temperature in PCR, breaking the DNA strands apart and promoting DNA replication. These traditionally use a heat exchange block to warm and cool DNA samples in plastic tubes or microtitre plates, but this can result in slow and uneven temperature changes, and exact temperature control is vital for fast and efficient DNA amplification and accurate and consistent results. The UF1 thermal cycler uses a low-cost single-use, recyclable consumable that combines the microtitre plate, heat exchange block, and attached heaters. This puts the DNA samples in direct contact with the heating element, resulting in rapid and controlled temperature changes, at up to seven cycles per minute. The disposable plate is simple to use, decreasing user error, eliminates the time and cost involved in cleaning, as well as reduces the risk of cross-sample contamination. UF1 provides reliable and reproducible results within five to six minutes, compared with one to two hours for thermal cyclers that rely on heat exchange. This means that one machine could do the work of ten, freeing up bench space and increasing laboratory productivity.
BJS Biotechnologies has launched its new rapid next-generation thermal cycler, UF1. UF1 increases the speed of DNA amplification by up to ten-fold, opening up opportunities for the use of PCR in Point-of-Care diagnosis. Thermal cyclers raise and lower the temperature in PCR, breaking the DNA strands apart and promoting DNA replication. These traditionally use a heat exchange block to warm and cool DNA samples in plastic tubes or microtitre plates, but this can result in slow and uneven temperature changes, and exact temperature control is vital for fast and efficient DNA amplification and accurate and consistent results. The UF1 thermal cycler uses a low-cost single-use, recyclable consumable that combines the microtitre plate, heat exchange block, and attached heaters. This puts the DNA samples in direct contact with the heating element, resulting in rapid and controlled temperature changes, at up to seven cycles per minute. The disposable plate is simple to use, decreasing user error, eliminates the time and cost involved in cleaning, as well as reduces the risk of cross-sample contamination. UF1 provides reliable and reproducible results within five to six minutes, compared with one to two hours for thermal cyclers that rely on heat exchange. This means that one machine could do the work of ten, freeing up bench space and increasing laboratory productivity.