The Eco Real-Time PCR System from Illumina

A stable temperature control is essential for the amplification process, especially during denaturation and annealing steps. The Eco Real-Time PCR System provides complete uniform control and quickly cycles form one temperature step to the next.

The heating system consists of a hollow silver block that is heated and cooled by a single Peltier device. This hermetically sealed hollow block contains a conductive fluid and two opposing agitators driven by electromagnetic motors. During thermocycling, these agitators rapidly circulate the fluid throughout the block, transferring heat from the Peltier device evenly across the block. This new method eliminates thermal variation at block edges, providing a thermal performance of ± 0.1°C well-to-well uniformity across the whole sample plate. Typical run time for a 40-cycle PCR protocol average is less than 40 minutes.

The optical system for fluorescence detection facilitates four-color multiplex applications. It’s calibrated for use with SYBR, FAM, HEX, VIC, ROX, and Cy5, but can be used with other real-time PCR chemistry.

For excitation, two panels of 48 fixed LEDs provide fluorescent dye excitation over a broad spectrum. Each of the samples is individually illuminated to minimize cross-talk between wells. On the detection side, the optical system enables real-time detection of up to four targets in a single reaction. Standard melt curve and HRM analysis protocols support continuous data acquisition in a single dye channel during the melt for increased data collection and reduced run times.