Thermal cycler

Thermal cycler or PCR machine is a laboratory apparatus most commonly used to amplify segments of DNA via the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The device has a thermal block with holes where tubes holding the PCR reaction mixtures can be inserted. The cycler then raises and lowers the temperature of the block in discrete, pre-programmed steps.

History

The thermal cycler was invented by Kary Mullis, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993 for his work on PCR. The first thermal cycler, called "The DNA Thermal Cycler", was developed and marketed in 1987 by the Cetus Corporation.

Design and Function

A thermal cycler consists of a thermal block with holes to hold PCR tubes and a heated lid to prevent condensation at the top of the reaction tube. The thermal cycler raises and lowers the temperature of the block in discrete, pre-programmed steps, allowing for precise control of the PCR process.

Applications

Thermal cyclers are essential tools in molecular biology research. They are used in a variety of applications, including DNA cloning, gene expression analysis, genotyping, and sequencing. In addition, thermal cyclers are used in forensic labs for DNA fingerprinting and in diagnostic labs for detecting diseases.

See Also

• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• DNA sequencing
• Molecular biology
• Kary Mullis