Common Problems and Solutions for PCR Tubes and PCR Plates

PCR tubes and PCR plates are necessary for the PCR experiment, which have excellent PCR or qPCR performance for efficient and successful PCR experiments.Here are some common problems and solutions for PCR tubes and PCR plates.

pcr plate pcr tube

Common Problems and Solutions for PCR Tubes and PCR Plates:

1. Why are PCR consumables generally made of PP?

  •  PCR/qPCR consumables are generally polypropylene (PP)
  • And it is a biologically inert material, the surface is not easy to adhere to biomolecules and has good chemical resistance and temperature resistance
  • Bacteria can also withstand temperature changes during thermal cycling.
  • These materials are often in direct contact with reagents or samples, thus requiring high-quality materials and good processing techniques during production and preparation

2. How to choose different volumes of PCR tubes/plates?

  • The volume of the PCR tube and PCR plate volume can basically meet the requirements of the PCR reaction.
  • However, on the basis of meeting the experimental requirements, always preferred small-capacity tubes.
  • And improved thermal conductivity and reduced evaporation due to less headspace for small-volume reactor tubes/plates.
  • And when adding samples, avoid adding too much or too little. Too much can lead to reduced thermal conductivity, spillage
  • And cross-contamination, while adding too little can lead to evaporative sample loss. You can choose a more suitable product according to your specific experimental requirements.
  • Common reaction tube specifications and volumes:
  • Single tube/tube: 0.5mL, 0.2mL, 0.15mL
  • 96-well plate: 0.2mL, 0.15mL
  • 384-well plate: 0.04mL

3. How to choose different color PCR tubes/plates?

  • For common PCR reactions, often used clear or colored PCR tubes. Colored and transparent PCR tubes are more conducive to sample classification management.
  • However, high-quality white PCR consumables are more recommended for qPCR.
  • Since qPCR requires quantitative detection of fluorescence signal intensity in real-time, required sensitive and accurate fluorescence signal transmission.
  • And compared with traditional transparent PCR products, white PCR products can maximize the reflection of fluorescent signals, reduce cross-contamination of signals between wells, and optimize real-time quantitative PCR results.

4. The thickness of the PCR plate/tube material is different. Is the stability of the coarse point better?

  • Generally divided into no skirt, half skirt, and full skirt
  • And compatible with most PCR machines or qPCR machines, but not suitable for automated applications. The stability is not high when pipetting, and should use with a plate holder.
  • Skirtless Plates: Compatible with most PCR machines or qPCR machines, but not suitable for automation, applications.
  • Half-skirt plate: adapted to labels or barcodes, as well as automated applications, and has good pipetting stability.
  • Full Skirt Plate: Ideal for automated laboratory applications, but also for labels and application barcodes. Good mechanical strength, suitable for PCR instruments with protruding modules, and high stability during pipetting.

Common Problems and Solutions for PCR Tubes:

1. Why do some PCR tubes have flat caps and some have convex caps?

  • When the sample volume is small,  should prefer a single PCR tube or a connecting tube.
  • However, when the reaction volume is large, a single tube can reach 0.5mL.
  • And  PCR tube flat cap and convex cover have their own advantages, please refer to the following information.

Common Problems and Solutions for PCR plates:

1. What is the difference between the corner labels of a 96-well plate and a 384-well plate?

  •  A Cut angle: The choice of the cut angle position of the PCR plate depends on the requirements of the adapted instrument, which is convenient for positioning.
  • B Identification: Alphanumeric markings on PCR plates help identify individual wells and sample locations.
  • Usually a raised shaded number or an embossed logo. For some automated application experiments, the sealing of the board will be better.

2. Why are the wells of some PCR plates raised?

  • There are two common PCR plates: flat edge and convex edge.
  • Flat-well edge reaction plates are suitable for most PCR machines.
  • Plates at the edges of the wells with membranes, reduce the risk of cross-contamination between samples.

There are more introduces about PCR tubes/plates: the use of PCR plates and PCR tubes, what are PCR tubes about the advantages, etc.