Which Real-time PCR is Right for You?

Every laboratory is different and must tackle its own unique set of challenges. This is just one of the many reasons why it’s so important to find a real-time PCR (RT-PCR, or qPCR)  that works for you.

 

 

Real-time polymerase chain reaction is a useful method to measure the amount of the PCR product that can be determined, in real-time, and is very useful for investigating gene expression. According to Science Direct, the key feature of qPCR is that amplification of DNA is detected in real time as PCR is in progress by the use of fluorescent reporter. However, just as with most of pieces of laboratory equipment, not all PCR applications are created equally.

 

Some PCR’s, such as the QuantStudio 3 Real-Time PCR System, is great for those seeking simplicity. An intuitive software design, coupled with precise temperature control and access to cloud storage that will enable you to backup and share files so that you can collaborate with colleagues worldwide.

 

Other types of PCR systems allow for more control. Built-in security and auditing can ensure that any highly confidential results don’t find their way into the wrong hands. Individual user accounts and protocol templates allows for some serious peace of mind.

 

Looking for a little more flexibility for your growing lab? Certain PCRs can interchange between 96-well, 96-well Fast, and 384-well formats. Easy system upgrades also allow you to increase automation, throughput, and multiplexing capabilities as your company’s needs grow and change.

 

If you find your switching from application to application quite often, finding a PCR with a high level of versatility will ensure your results remain accurate and reliable. Some of the protocols units such as the QuantStudio 7 Flex offer include gene expression, long non-coding RNA analysis, Pri-miRNA analysis, mutation detection and more.

 

If maximizing your productivity is your priority, a machine with a high level of throughput and versatile application offering is the machine for you. PCR’s are used for a variety of applications, including drug discovery, pharmaceutical target confirmation, MicroRNA profiling, and agricultural molecular testing, to name a few. Finding one capable of doing it all will ensure your lab can handle whatever both current and potential clients may throw your way.