RAPID HEAT BLOCK THERMOCYCLER

摘要

A heat block thermocycler to perform rapid PCR in multiple small-volume samples (1-20 .mu.l) employing, low-profile, low thermal mass sample block, the temperature of which can be rapidly and accurately modulated by a single thermoelectric pump (thermoelectric module). An array of spaced-apart sample wells is formed in the top surface of the block. The samples are placed into the wells of ultrathin-walled (20-40 .mu.m) multiwell plate and located into the sample block. The heated lid tightly seals the individual wells by pressing the sealing film to the top surface of the multiwell plate supporte d by the top surface of the sample block. Air pressure arising inside the tightly sealed wells at elevated temperatures deforms the elastic walls of t he wells of the ultrathin-walled plate and brings them into close thermal conta ct with the sample block. A gasket thermally isolates the sample block from the heated lid. The PCR reactions (30 cycles) can be performed in 10-30 minutes.