The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique is a staple in modern molecular biology laboratories. In fact, the technique’s ability to amplify DNA is so useful that there’s a high demand for PCR machines—even in less traditional laboratory formats. From fully functioning machines with a smaller laboratory footprint to tiny portable machines that can be packed in a backpack and taken to do fieldwork, there is a wide range of mini PCR machines available to suit any researcher’s needs.
Similar functionality, smaller footprint
Some laboratories are short on space, money, or both—or their need for PCR is too small to justify the space and money required for a standard machine. These laboratories may be low-throughput laboratories, teaching laboratories, or other types of laboratories, but whatever the case, they may have need for smaller, cheaper PCR machines that are still capable of producing high-quality results.
“The fact that you can have all the performance and programming features of a larger unit in a small package is pretty cool,” says Susan Johnson, a product manager from Benchmark Scientific. “It’s also a big deal that quality machines are now affordable for teaching labs—even those in high schools.”
According to Johnson, the full-sized (TC-9639) and mini (TC-32) thermocyclers for sale from Benchmark Scientific have nearly identical performance specifications. “Both have touchscreens, excellent uniformity, and fast cycling. Even the programming is similar,” Johnson says. “I think the biggest advantage of the smaller machine is that labs that don’t need the larger capacity of a full-sized machine can spend less money and purchase a smaller capacity unit that better suits their needs without sacrificing quality, performance, and features.”
However, Johnson warns that, though this may be true of Benchmark Scientific’s mini thermocycler, “it may not be the case for some of the other small cyclers on the market, especially the ones that hold just eight samples.”
JR Hernaez, a product manager from Bio-Rad, agrees that researchers ought to be careful about the tradeoffs that may come along with going too small with their thermocyclers. “Having a very small, mini-sized thermocycler may be convenient,” Hernaez says. “However, researchers should also consider other capabilities and features beyond the footprint, such as the value of a reliable and robust machine, built with a touchscreen, flexible thermal cycling parameter options, and enough memory space to save protocols.”
Bio-Rad’s smallest machine, the T100, is a fully functional machine with a smaller laboratory footprint. Hernaez notes that this machine is a “good balance between having a small footprint and still having a touchscreen, high performance, format flexibility, and a true gradient for PCR optimization.”
A third machine you could consider for your laboratory is Bio Molecular Systems’s Mic qPCR Cycler. Taking up less space than your laboratory notebook, this machine is supposed to be fast, accurate, and compact. The machine uses a patented magnetic induction technology to heat samples, which, according to their website, is the reason that this cycler can have such a small footprint.
Portability and convenience
For certain types of researchers, however, the size and portability of the machine has to be a determining factor. Many researchers need to be able to conduct PCRs while they’re out in the field, and a standard bench-top machine—even one with a smaller footprint—just won’t cut it. Fortunately, companies like Biomeme and miniPCR have designed thermocyclers for just this purpose.
The Franklin by Biomeme is a mobile thermocycler that is battery operated and weighs about two pounds. It can perform PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, and isothermal tests. According to their website, this machine is “compact, lightweight, and optimized to enable a full day’s work out in the field on a single charge of the internal battery.”
Another manufacturer of small PCR machines, miniPCR, also offers portable thermocyclers for fieldwork. In fact, their website boasts about several current research projects that are applying their machines—Ebola research in Sierra Leone, lemur conservation in Madagascar, forensic DNA analysis for the improvement of evidence, and DNA analysis on the International Space Station. miniPCR’s mini machine weighs less than one pound, can perform both PCR and electrophoresis, and can be used with miniPCR temperature-stable reagents.
Mini thermocyclers are not just beneficial for fieldwork, though. Small and simple can be ideal for educational purposes as well, which is why miniPCR has designed thermocyclers specifically for the classroom. Additionally, some researchers find that having a small, personal thermocycler on their own bench—one that they don’t have to share with their labmates—improves their research efficiency. Thus, miniPCR has also designed mini machines intended for use as secondary thermocyclers in the laboratory.
Make your decision
So, you’re looking for a smaller PCR machine? Before deciding how small you should go, evaluate your needs. Do you need full functionality in a smaller package? Go for one of the larger “mini” machines, and take care to compare its product specifications to those of standard, full-sized machines. Do you need something portable? Look for a battery-powered machine that fits in a backpack. Just remember the tradeoffs: Small machines may be convenient, but they aren’t always as robust as a standard, full-sized machine.