Thermo Scientific PikoReal real-time PCR instruments

Thermo Scientific PikoReal Real-Time PCR Systems are available in 24- and 96-well formats and offer high performance in a small benchtop footprint.

The heating block design of PikoReal systems maintains good temperature uniformity and fast heating and cooling for optimal amplification. The ultrathin wall (UTW) Piko PCR plates minimise running costs, plastics waste and energy consumption. Although these plates are a quarter the size of standard plates, their well volumes and spacing ensures compatibility with multichannel pipettes and liquid handling instrumentation. Finally, PikoReal systems are claimed to use half the power of typical real-time PCR instruments and consume less reagent, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for personal benchtop or field use.

The combination of the heating block and UTW Piko consumables ensures data uniformity for more reliable and repeatable results. The built-in optical system of the PikoReal contains five channels, precalibrated for the most common dyes, so users can perform multiplexing with four dyes while dedicating the fifth channel to SYBR Green and HRM experiments.

The instruments are controlled by PikoReal software, which enables absolute and relative quantification, melting curve analysis and genotyping. Systems can also be used as stand-alone by transferring an amplification protocol from PikoReal Software to the instrument using a USB stick. The software also uses a Virtual Pipetting Tool that guides users through plate set-up.