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Advancing
versatility in DNA amplification...
Selective Thermal Cycler
The PCR Process
One of the most important discoveries in
modern molecular biology is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), which
allows laboratories to replicate (“amplify”) the DNA splitting and
growth processes found during cell division in nature. Discovered in
1985, the PCR process can take a miniscule amount of DNA (from a
person, animal or plant) and multiply it millions of times for further
chemical analysis. It is today becoming an essential tool in genetics
and molecular biology, and other areas such as forensics, genomics,
proteomics and clinical laboratory research.
 The
Polymerase Chain Reaction process starts by placing DNA samples (with
solutions of other chemicals and enzymes) into trays of small test
tubes ("wells") called microplates (pictured here). The temperature of
the solution or “compound”, in the microplate wells is then raised and
lowered very precisely, which causes the DNA molecule split and to
replicate itself. To again double the DNA molecules, the
temperature cycle is repeated - hence the name thermal cycler (for
more detail click here). Thus, if
one starts with one molecule of DNA, then theoretically after 35
cycles, this slicing, splicing and extension process (“amplification”)
results in 235 = 34 billion copies.
ACESystem
Technology
All current thermal cyclers on the
market cool and heat the wells of the entire microplate
in unison, without the ability to control individual wells.
ACESystems’ Selective Thermal Cycler breaks through this
restriction! Utilizing its new TCU
Technology, the Selective Thermal Cycler
individually controls the
temperature of each separate well. Specifically, the term
"selective" refers to the ability of the user to select different PCR
programs or protocols for different individual wells. The
technology allows for the heating and cooling process to function in
different
wells
at different PCR temperatures in the same microplate and
at the same time. This ability introduces immense added
flexibility to lab operations and greatly improves the efficiency of
DNA amplification.
 To
illustrate this technology, a demonstration model has been fabricated,
as shown in the photograph. It is seen that there are 96 metal TCUs
on 9mm centers to accommodate 96-well PCR microplates. In operation,
this module would be connected to a computer where the user would
select the desired individual wells and the corresponding PCR program.
ACESystems has now received general and
broad intellectual property protection for its innovative selective
concept (US patent # 6,106,784), as well as specific extension for
application to thermal cyclers (US patent # 6,558,947). Additionally,
these patents have been filed in Europe and Canada.
For more detailed PCR information
click here... |
