IMPROVEMENT OF THERMAL CYCLER FOR PCR

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover and an internal computer.SOLUTION: An assembly comprises a sample block (36), a plurality of Peltier thermoelectric devices (39) and a heat sink (34), which are clamped together. The temperature of the sample block (36) is changed exclusively by the thermoelectric devices (39) controlled by a computer. The sample block (36) is of low thermal mass and is constructed of silver. The Peltier devices are designed to provide fast temperature excursions over a wide range. The heat sink (34) has a perimeter trench (44) to minimize edge losses and is adjacent to a continuously variable fan. A perimeter heater is used to improve the thermal uniformity across the sample block (36) to approximately +/-0.2°C.