Benefits of the LightCycler® Capillaries (20 μl):
- Produce the most sensitive fluorescent signal detection possible in real-time PCR on all LightCycler® Carousel-Based Instruments.
- Obtain a very high surface-to-volume ratio, guaranteeing rapid equilibration between the PCR reaction mix and air.
- Maximize PCR performance and obtain the ultimate in fluorescent signal transmission using high-quality specially shaped capillaries for reaction volumes from 10 to 20 μl.
How the LightCycler® Capillaries (20 μl):
In the LightCycler® Carousel-Based System, temperature cycling is achieved using air. As air has virtually no mass, this process is significantly faster (ten times) than cycling with conventional thermal blocks. A heating coil controlled by thermocouples in the thermal chamber of the LightCycler® Carousel-Based System warms the air. PCR occurs in the specially designed borosilicate glass LightCycler® Capillaries. The capillaries have a high surface-to-volume ratio, to ensure rapid equilibration between the air and the reaction components. The combination of using air for rapid thermal cycling and the high surface-to-volume ratio of the capillaries, enables a single PCR cycle to be completed in less than 50 seconds using the LightCycler® Capillaries (20 μl). Depending on the experimental protocol, a complete PCR run of 30 to 40 cycles can thus be performed in 25 to 35 minutes on the LightCycler® Carousel-Based System.
