PikoReal™ 24 Real-Time PCR System - FAQs

View additional product information for PikoReal™ Real-Time PCR System - FAQs (TCR0024)

12 product FAQs found

What is the temperature range of the PikoReal instrument? How accurate and uniform is the block temperature?

The PikoReal thermal cycler can operate in the temperature range of 4-99.9 degrees C. Its temperature accuracy is ±0.2 degrees C and temperature uniformity is ±0.3 degrees C at 95 degrees C, ±0.15 degrees C at 60 degrees C and ±0.2 degrees C at 72 degrees C.

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What are the cooling and heating rates of the PikoReal instrument?

The PikoReal instrument has the maximum cooling rate of 4.5 degrees C/sec and the maximum heating rate of > 5 degrees C/sec.

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What is the temperature range of the PikoReal heated lid?

The heated lid has a temperature range of 30-110 degrees C.

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Do I need a license for PikoReal Software? What types of analysis can I perform with the software?

PikoReal Software includes an unlimited license, allowing multiple installations as required. The available software modules include absolute quantification, melting curve analysis, allelic discrimination, relative quantification and high resolution melting (HRM).

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Does the PikoReal instrument need a computer to operate?

No, the PikoReal instrument can be controlled without a computer, using a USB flash rive for protocol loading and storing run data.

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What computer operating systems support the PikoReal instrument?

The PikoReal instrument can operate on Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 or later.

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What is the light source of the PikoReal thermal cycler? What are the excitation and detection ranges?

Five long-lasting LEDs are used as the light source in PikoReal. The LEDs emit constant and stable light over a broad spectrum (475-640 nm) for excitation. The PikoReal instrument has the detection wavelength range of 520-740 nm.

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Can I perform multiplexing with the PikoReal instrument? How many channels does PikoReal include?

The optical system of the PikoReal instrument contains five channels, precalibrated for many commonly used dyes (FAM, HEX, Yakima Yellow, Texas Red, ROX, Cy5). Multiplexing can be performed with up to four dyes; the fifth channel is dedicated to SYBR Green and HRM experiments. New dyes can be calibrated by using the Color Calibration Utility of the software.

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What are the recommended sample volumes for the PikoReal instrument?

We recommend 10- 50 µL sample volumes for PikoReal 24 and 5-20 µL sample volumes for PikoReal 96.

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What type of PCR plates do I need for the PikoReal Real-Time PCR system?

The PikoReal instrument utilizes Ultra Thin Wall (UTW) 24-well (Cat. Nos.SPL0240, SPL0241) or 96-well (Cat. Nos. SPL0960, SPL0961) Piko PCR Plates. These plates are quarter the size of standard PCR plates but still maintain industry standards for well volumes and well spacing, thus having compatibility with standard multi-channel pipettes (both 8 and 16-channel) and liquid handling robots.

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What block formats are available for the PikoReal Real-Time PCR System?

The PikoReal instrument is available with a 24-well or a 96-well block . The blocks are not interchangeable, and do not include a temperature gradient.

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Is ROX passive reference dye required for fluorescent signal normalization with the PikoReal instrument?

No, neither ROX nor any other passive reference dye is required when using PikoReal. There is no disadvantage if it is present in the reaction mix, but the software will not use their fluorescence data for normalization of the fluorescence signal of the reporter dyes.

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