'real-time PCR': which machine to buy??

[Robert Hartley]

In article <s9u8aj7hhse172 at corp.supernews.com>, "The Lab Rat"
<thelabrat at thelabrat.com> wrote:


> If you are using it as a research machine with limited sample # demands then
> the light cycler is certainly more versitable IMHO.  The software allows you
> to do much, much more than the relatively closed interface on the 7700 (look
> at melting-temp profiles, etc).  The only "down-side" is the pain of loading
> the cappilaries.  I have heard that they are working on automation for this
> process (if anyone knows anything about this, then please post here).

The cappilaries are no hastle at all. I use a RapidCycler from Idaho
technologies and if the Roche machine uses the same mounting then you can
set up a reaction in a 96 well microtitre plate (elisa plate) and draw up
8 to 16 at a time and seal with the flame thrower.
Optoimising is easy. It hasn't got a gradient but cf. 15min PCRx5 with 2
hour PCR.

One thing to note about the gas sealer is:- Every Tech/Phd stud/ Postdoc
who is male like me will automatically degenerate into a 6 year old and
play with the flamer with a big grinon his face. :-)

cheers
bob
> 
> 
> JeffF
>

-- 
Robert Hartley,
Centre for Cell Engineering,University of Glasgow,UK.
mail: rh at mblab.gla.ac.uk, Tel: ++44 (0)141 330 4756
Web : http://www.gla.ac.uk/Inter/CellEngineering