White Plastics for Enhanced qPCR Detection
As with any fluorescence based assay, quantitative PCR (qPCR) requires specialized plastics to achieve optimal results. Thermo Scientific white qPCR plastics are designed to enable sensitive and accurate fluorescence detection.
When used together with Thermo Scientific Ultra-Clear caps or optical seals, these products will increase sensitivity and reduce variability within the qPCR assay. Our white plates reflect significantly more signal back to the instrument's detector than traditional clear plates. The improved signal reflection ensures that even the lowest levels of fluorescence are detected. White well walls also prevent signal from passing through to the cycler block where it can be inconsistently reflected or absorbed. This keeps variations in the cycler block from affecting your qPCR data. (Figure 1)
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Figure 2: Reduced well-to-well variability produces more consistent qPCR data
Increased signal reflection leads to lower Cq values
qPCR amplification of GAPDH using 100 ng, 10 ng, 1 ng and 100 pg of human genomic DNA. Red amplification plots representing the white plates show earlier Cq values and higher end-point fluorescence compared to the blue plots for the natural plates.
Reduced well-to-well variability produces more consistent qPCR data
Melting profiles of GAPDH amplicons in white plates (red) and clear plates (blue) across four 10-fold dilutions of human genomic DNA. Signal refraction has introduced increased variability in clear plates.