thermal cycler preferences

[Dr. Hiranya S. Roychowdhury]

We have the DNA Engine, and I am totally sold on it!

Quoting "Michael L. Sullivan" <mlsulliv at facstaff.wisc.edu>:

> I'm planning on buying an additional thermal cycler for my lab and 
> was hoping for some additional input from members of this forum.
> 
> Currently we use an ABI GeneAmp 9700. Replacing that is an option, or 
> opting for their lower end model, the 2720 . The 2720 costs less, so 
> I could think about getting two to address capacity issues). Since we 
> mostly just use 0.2 ml tubes/striptubes, the lower end model seems 
> like it would suffice.
> 
> Another option would be an MJ DNA engine (now part of Bio-Rad). I 
> have had good luck with these units when I was a post doc, and the 
> flexibility of the unit seems really nice. The 96-well block can have 
> a temp gradient across the block (sounds useful for optimization). 
> They also have a dual 48-well block that essentially makes it into 
> two independent instruments. This seems attractive as we may have 
> more people wanting to use the instrumentation in the coming years.
> 
> I'd be interested to hear opinions about these or other comparable 
> instruments, especially with respect to reliability, quality, ease of 
> use, and value.
> 
> Thanks all.
> 
> Mike
> -- 
> ******************************************************
> Please note new phone and fax numbers below
> ******************************************************
> 
> Michael L. Sullivan, Ph.D
> Research Plant Molecular Geneticist
> U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center
> 1925 Linden Drive West
> Madison WI, 53706
> 
> (608) 890-0046 Phone
> (608) 890-0076 Fax
> ---
> 


-- 
Hiranya S. Roychowdhury, Ph.D.
Coll. Asst. Professor,
Molecular Biology,
Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Rm# 336, Chemistry Bldg.; MSC 3MLS
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
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