On-unit screen or PC…which is better? - (Mar/09/2010 )
lab rat on Mar 10 2010, 10:00 PM said:
Well, Applied Biosystems Veriti, Finnzymes Piko, BioRad...also looked at the Roche real-time Lightcyclers (not sure about the glass capillary tubes...thoughts?).
What features are important to be considering?
It depends on your workflow. Are you doing a high volume of samples (like diagnostics) or research?
For research, my first lab had 2 Thermo Electron Hybaids with gradient blocks that served their purpose and an old MJ that was fantastic. The features included memory to save (100?) programs, password-protection, and a gradient block with a heated lid. (If you can swing for a gradient, I would recommend getting one.) I think I remember hearing that BioRad acquired the MJ line, so you would need to talk to your BioRad rep.
The diagnostic lab that I worked in had several different models/brands. The light Cycler was the section head's preferred thermalcycler, but the volume of samples per week made these less efficient than the Applied Biosystems plate models that I didn't use. I think she still uses them for research purposes, though.
My last lab had an Applied Biosystems touch-screen. It was there when I was hired on, and I didn't use it much. It was cost-efficient, I guess. It had a large footprint, which was a pain in a crowded lab with little bench space, and required a plastic plate or tube holder for running samples. If you didn't have this holder, and placed your tubes directly in the block, they would melt. The reactions didn't leak out, but I also didn't trust the results.
My current lab has an Eppendorf with a tube block (no 96 well plates). I don't care as much for this model because I don't find it intuitive to use, and I have to re-enter the volume of my reaction every time I run the program or the alarm sounds.
I hope this helps.
regards, lab rat
lab rat on Mar 11 2010, 10:46 AM said:
For research, my first lab had 2 Thermo Electron Hybaids with gradient blocks that served their purpose and an old MJ that was fantastic. The features included memory to save (100?) programs, password-protection, and a gradient block with a heated lid. (If you can swing for a gradient, I would recommend getting one.) I think I remember hearing that BioRad acquired the MJ line, so you would need to talk to your BioRad rep.
The diagnostic lab that I worked in had several different models/brands. The light Cycler was the section head's preferred thermalcycler, but the volume of samples per week made these less efficient than the Applied Biosystems plate models that I didn't use. I think she still uses them for research purposes, though.
My last lab had an Applied Biosystems touch-screen. It was there when I was hired on, and I didn't use it much. It was cost-efficient, I guess. It had a large footprint, which was a pain in a crowded lab with little bench space, and required a plastic plate or tube holder for running samples. If you didn't have this holder, and placed your tubes directly in the block, they would melt. The reactions didn't leak out, but I also didn't trust the results.
My current lab has an Eppendorf with a tube block (no 96 well plates). I don't care as much for this model because I don't find it intuitive to use, and I have to re-enter the volume of my reaction every time I run the program or the alarm sounds.
I hope this helps.
regards, lab rat
Thanks for all the information lab rat! This forum is great...