( One temperature...)New Temperature Cycler Features Interchangeable Blocks

One temperature cycler can meet the needs of an entire laboratory

Michelle Cayouette Jane Moores Jason Capodanno Michael Steege Michael Rahilly
Stratagene

Stratagene is introducing the RoboCycler Infinity temperature cycler,^# a new temperature cycler with interchangeable blocks for PCR. Block sets can be readily interchanged without the use of tools and are currently available in a 40-well, 600-l tube format and a 96-well, 200-l tube format. A 384-well block set will be available in 1998. Each block set is available with an optional Hot Top Assembly, which reduces condensation and allows oil-free PCR amplifications. PCR experiments showed similar yield and specificity of amplified products regardless of the block format or paddle type used. As with all members of Stratagenes line of RoboCycler temperature cyclers, the blocks of the RoboCycler Infinity model showed a high degree of well-to-well uniformity.

In 1992, Stratagene introduced the RoboCycler temperature cycler, a unique four-block instrument that achieves unparalleled temperature uniformity.¹ Using a robotic arm, the RoboCycler unit moves tubes from one preset hot block to another, avoiding the longer reaction times associated with ramping the block temperature of single-block thermal cyclers. Another feature of the RoboCycler temperature cyclers is the built-in cold storage block that allows experiments to be run conveniently overnight.

With the introduction of the Hot Top Assembly in 1996, the RoboCycler temperature cycler became even more versatile. The Hot Top Assembly heats the top and sides of reaction tubes, significantly reducing condensation and eliminating the need for oil overlays on samples.^2,3

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