Improving qPCR accuracy with a two-component plate design

Azenta Life Sciences reports how the two-component design of its FrameStar® microplate range minimises thermal expansion and sample evaporation, significantly improving the consistency and reliability of qPCR results.

Standard PCR and qPCR plates are often made from polypropylene due to its chemical inertness and ability to create ultra-thin tube walls for fast temperature transfer. However, polypropylene’s thermal expansion and evaporation properties can hinder its suitability for precision-demanding applications like qPCR and Next Generation Sequencing.

The FrameStar PCR plates address these challenges with a unique two-component construction: polypropylene tubes embedded within a robust polycarbonate frame. This design minimises evaporation, which in turn improves the accuracy of qPCR experiments. It also facilitates miniaturisation, allowing for smaller reaction volumes, which reduces the consumption of costly PCR reagents.

Study data confirms that the rigid polycarbonate frame of FrameStar plates maintains its shape throughout the PCR process, preventing plate distortion and maintaining a secure seal attachment. This leads to more reliable and accurate data for quantification.

FrameStar PCR plates are available in 96- and 384-well formats, with various well-frame colour combinations. The 384-well version is ideal for low-volume PCR, while the 96-well plates come in low and standard profiles with a choice of non-skirted, semi-skirted, or fully skirted options.

Download a copy of the study.

More information online