What to Consider when Choosing a Thermal Cycler for Clinical Diagnostics

摘要

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one of the most powerful and sensitive gene analysis techniques available, and within molecular biology, the technique is widely applicable. The continual refinement of PCR has had an enormous impact on cancer research in particular. The technique provides rapid and early diagnosis of diseases such as leukemia and lymphomas, which consequently allows prompt treatment options to be applied, and ultimately improves patient prognosis. As PCR assays can be performed directly on genomic DNA samples, the technique can detect translocation-specific malignant cells at a sensitivity that is at least 10,000 fold higher than that of other methods. The success and popularity of PCR, has meant that the technique has become the method of choice for an abundance of diagnostic applications, not limited to cancer diagnostics. The popularity of the technique is coupled with an array of thermal cyclers, which can make choosing the most efficient and suitable instrument more challenging. Before making a purchase, it is important to consider the applications that the thermal cycler will be used for, and laboratory expectations and requirements.