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A programmable $25 thermal cycler for PCR
Author(s) -
Betsch David F.,
Blais Brian S.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
biochemistry and molecular biology education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1539-3429
pISSN - 1470-8175
DOI - 10.1002/bmb.2003.494031020190
Subject(s) - incandescent light bulb , ibm pc compatible , soldering , thermal , ibm , computer science , mechanical engineering , computer hardware , engineering , materials science , electrical engineering , operating system , physics , metallurgy , nanotechnology , thermodynamics , software
This article describes the construction of a safe, programmable, automatic thermal cycler for PCR that can be easily constructed by persons with basic soldering and mechanical skills for under $25 in parts and a modest computer such as IBM 486, all of which are readily available. The cycler relies on the heating provided by an incandescent light bulb and cooling by simple convection.