Part of the Techne range of personal thermal cyclers from Bibby Scientific, the TC-3000G gradient model offers two interchangeable block options, a gradient of up to 15ºC, an exceptionally wide choice of consumables, fast-track programming and networking capability. All these features and more are contained within a 17x33 cm footprint, making it the world’s smallest gradient thermal cycler.
The TC-3000G gradient thermal cycler’s 48-well thermal block is arranged to provide eight columns for testing eight different temperatures simultaneously, and six rows for optimising reagents such as MgCl2 and primer concentrations. The alternative thermal block option holds 30 x 0.5 mL tubes – significantly more than the usual 12 or 20 tubes of this size.
Operation of the TC-3000G is intuitive, with speed dial functionality allowing fast program location. The gradient calculator function displays the temperature for each of the eight columns, ensuring easy replication of thermal conditions. Annealing temperature can be optimised over a 15°C gradient between 20°C and 80°C, and the heating rate of 3.3°C per second is the fastest of all 48-well cyclers in the market, including gradient units.
Utilising the USB connection, one standalone unit or up to 32 cyclers networked together can be controlled by Techne’s free Gensoft PC software.