Life Technologies offers you gold-standard Applied Biosystems real-time PCR instrumentation at a price that’s more affordable than ever, with systems starting at just $9,995. You can perform experiments using 48 wells, 96 wells, 384 wells, or higher, knowing your system is supported by world-class service and support.

Designed for compatibility with TaqMan Assays as well as the flexibility of extensive real-time PCR chemistry choices, we make it easy for you to get started and get the results you need. We have a solution that meets every lab's needs.

Which real-time PCR system is right for you?

  Easy to use for all levels of experience High flexibility & intuitive design Maximum throughput,
flexibility and scalability
 
StepOne™ Real-Time
PCR Systems:
Easy to use for all levels
of experience
ViiA™ 7 Real-Time
PCR System:
Powerful features &
intuitive design
QuantStudio™ 12K Flex
Real-Time PCR System:
Maximum throughput,
flexibility & scalability
Reactions per Run Up to 48/96 Up to 384 Up to 12000+
Block Format(s) 48/96 96, 96 Fast, 384, TaqMan Array (interchangeable) 96, 96 Fast, 384, TaqMan Array, OpenArray
(interchangeable)
Color Combinations (Multiplexing) 3 and 4 21 21
Run Time As fast as 40 min. As fast as 30 min. As fast as 30 min.
Programmable Volumes 1-40ul 1-200uL*1-200uL*
Validated Volumes 10-40ul 1-100uL*33nl-100uL*
Automation Compatible No Twister Robot Available Twister Robot Available
Remote Monitoring Yes Yes Yes
On-Board Memory Yes — 1 Run Yes — 100+ Runs Yes — 100+ Runs
Email Notification No Yes Yes
Calendar Scheduling No Yes Yes
Assist with 21 CFR p 11 compliance Not available Security, Auditing, eSignature packages available
Sensitivity Down to 1 copy
Dynamic Range Up to 9 logs
Chemistry All real-time PCR based chemistries.  Flexible to chemistries with or without passive reference dye.
Applications Available Gene Expression, Genotyping, Copy Number Variation, HRM, Protein Thermal Shift, Protein Detection, microRNA Gene Expression, Genotyping, Copy Number Variation, HRM, Protein Thermal Shift, Protein Detection, microRNA Gene Expression, Genotyping, Copy Number Variation, HRM, Protein Thermal Shift, Protein Detection, microRNA, digital PCR
Validated Applications N/A N/A N/A
IVD Platform No Available in certain countries No
Instruments
Temperature uniformity ± 0.5°C within 30 seconds of clock start ±0.5°C, within 30 sec of reaching temperature set point ±0.5°C

Optics

Excitation source Blue LED OptiFlex™ System with Halogen lamp OptiFlex™ System with White LED light
Filters/Colors 4 filters factory calibrated for FAM™ / SYBR Green, VIC / JOE™, NED™ / TAMRA™ and ROX™ / dyes 6 excitation filters (450—670 nm)
6 emission filters (500—720 nm) 		6 excitation filters (450—670 nm)
6 emission filters (500—720 nm)
Detector Photodiodes CCD CCD
Instrument specs
Size W 23.6 cm
D 51.2 cm
H 42.7 cm 		W 53.3 cm
D 63.5 cm
H 64.5 cm 		W 50.5 cm
D 67.2 cm
H 73.8 cm
Real Time PCR Fundamentals:

Gives the foundation for learning real-time PCR technology.
 

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Reagent choices:

Describes real-time PCR reagents and which applications they are best used for.

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Assay Design:

Focuses on how to choose the best assays for real-time quantitative PCR experiments, particularly for gene expression and miRNA's.

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