Piko™ Thermal Cycler, 24-well Piko Thermal Cycler - FAQs

查看更多产品信息 Piko™ Thermal Cycler, 24-well Piko Thermal Cycler - FAQs (TCP0024)

11 个常见问题解答

Can I use lower volumes in my 96-well Piko PCR Plate than I could in a conventional 96-well microplate?

Yes. Typically, you should be able to use less than half the volume that you currently use on your conventional cycler and achieve equivalent or better results.

How do I know whether I need to purchase the frames for my Piko PCR Plates?

The frames for the Piko PCR Plates allow for easier handling and storage, particularly if you wish to use these plates in conjunction with laboratory equipment designed for microplates (such as centrifuges, plate readers or liquid handlers). Also, the frames allow the ability to stack the plates in a stable and compact fashion for archiving or storage.

Why does the 96-well Piko PCR Plate have a 6x16 format instead of the typical 8x12 format of microplates?

By using a 6x16 format, the standard multi-channel pipettors and liquid handling instruments can be used without modification.

What is a Piko PCR Plate?

A Piko PCR Plate is a plate for PCR that is equivalent to one-fourth of a standard microplate and is equal to a microscope slide in footprint. These plates conserve all of the standard well-spacing and well-geometry of conventional microplates, e.g., a 96-well Piko PCR Plate has the same 4.5 mm pitch as most conventional 384-well microplates. Up to four Piko PCR Plates can be reversibly snapped into a frame to give the equivalent footprint of a conventional 96-well or 384-well microplate. Piko PCR Plates provide many advantages over traditional microplates: they are available at a lower cost, they accept lower reaction volumes, and require less storage space. In addition, many of the same types of advantages were incorporated in the instrumentation designed to use these plates: the thermal cycler has a smaller footprint, is less expensive, has higher thermal performance specifications, and consumes less power.

What are the recommended volumes for PCR reactions in the Piko thermal cycler?

For the 24-well Piko cycler we recommend volumes between 10 and 50 µL. For the 96-well Piko cycler we recommend volumes between 5 and 20µl.

Is it possible to perform a manual hot start on the Piko thermal cycler?

Yes. In fact, the Piko was designed to handle just this issue. Simply press the OPEN button, and the system will pause the program, raise the heated lid, and release the drawer (the system will confirm first that this is what you actually intend). After manipulating the sample, simply close the drawer and the program will reinitiate automatically.

Does the Piko thermal cycler have interchangeable blocks?

No. The compact design of the Piko does not allow for interchangeable blocks.

Should I reduce the ramp rate of the Piko thermal cycler if I wish to run protocols optimized on conventional cyclers?

No, not usually. Though most conventional protocols can be run directly on the Piko, those protocols that need re-optimization usually only require changes in hold times (and possibly temperature) to achieve equivalent or better results. Some very sensitive protocols may require slowing the ramp rate.

Can I run conventional PCR on the Piko?

Yes. Piko thermal cyclers can be used for both conventional and high performance PCR. Though conventional PCR utilizes traditional polymerases (such as Taq) with lower processivity and requires longer protocols, significant time savings can still be achieved by using the Piko and ultra thin wall (UTW) plastics.

Can I use full-height as well as low-profile PCR vessels in the Piko 24?

The 24-well Piko will only accept low-profile 0.2 mL tubes or plates with flat-caps or sealers. The taller design of vessels simply will not fit in the instrument. The taller design of full-height tubes was originally designed for centrifugation, not for PCR. Low-profile tubes and plates are optimal for PCR because the portion protruding above the cycler block has been shortened, minimizing the potential for condensation and reducing mass to allow faster thermal transfer.

Does the Piko thermal cycler have a thermal gradient?

No, the Piko thermal cycler does not include a temperature gradient.