Bio-Rad Laboratories, a manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, has launched its CFX384 real-time PCR detection system and the security edition of its CFX Manager software, which can be used to ensure compliance with the US Food and Drug Administration for secure handling of electronic records (as outlined in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR Part 11).
With the CFX384 system, researchers have access to high-throughput real-time PCR in a 384-well format. The system can be run as a stand-alone system without a computer, or with up to four instruments from one computer.
Using the Bio-Rad C1000 thermal cycler chassis as the base thermal cycler instrument, the CFX384 PCR detection system incorporates innovative optical technologies and software to deliver sensitive, reliable detection for real-time PCR applications, including absolute quantitation, genetic variation analysis, and gene expression. The system reads each well individually with high sensitivity and no cross talk to deliver optimal quantitative results. Multiple data acquisition modes allow runs to be tailored to suit any application and the compact design fits any laboratory setting.
Runs can be tailored to different detection chemistries. SYBR Green I and single-colour FAM protocols are completed in less time using the SYBR/FAM only scan mode, which collects data from channel one for all 384 wells in just eight seconds. In multichannel scan mode, the system detects fluorescence from channels one to four for all 384 wells in less than 20 seconds, enabling four-target discrimination in a single well. The system’s optics shuttle includes a channel dedicated for single-colour FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) experiments, further expanding experimental options.
