Thermal cycler including a temperature gradient block
AssigneeStrategene
InventorsJohn Lewis Danssaert, Robert James Shopes, Daniel Davis Shoemaker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method in which a temperature gradient is generated across a “gradient” block, and an apparatus comprising a block across which a temperature gradient can be generated. By setting up such a gradient, multiple reaction mixtures held in wells on the gradient block can be simultaneously run at temperatures which differ only slightly, thereby permitting an optimum temperature for the reaction to be quickly identified. In a preferred embodiment the gradient block is integrated into a thermal cycler used for nucleic acid amplification reactions.
Claims23
A method for simultaneously reacting a plurality of reaction mixtures in an apparatus including a temperature gradient block comprising the steps of:
- placing reaction mixtures in a plurality of reaction wells in said gradient block, said gradient block having a top portion, first and second oppposing portions, and a bottom portion, said plurality of reaction mixture wells being formed in said block between said opposing portions, and
- generating a temperature gradient across said gradient block and between said opposing portions.
A method for automated temperature cycling of a reaction mixture using a thermal cycling apparatus comprising at least one heat conducting block, said block having a plurality of sample wells spaced between first and second opposing portions and in an upper surface thereof, the method comprising
- placing reaction mixtures in said wells, and
- generating a temperature gradient across said block and between said opposing portions by heating said first opposing portion and cooling said second opposing portion.
An apparatus for generating a temperature gradient across a heat conducting block comprising:
- a reaction mixture holder, said reaction mixture holder comprising a heat conducting block having a top portion, first and second opposing portions, and a bottom portion, a plurality of reaction mixture wells formed in said top portion, and between said first and second opposing portions,
- a block heater positioned adjacent to said first opposing portion, and
- a block cooler positioned adjacent to said second opposing portion.
An apparatus for generating a temperature gradient across a heat conducting block comprising holding means for holding a reaction mixture, said holding means comprising:
- (i) a heat conducting block having a top portion, first and second opposing portions, and a bottom portion, and a plurality of reaction mixture wells formed in said top portion and between said first and second opposing portions;
- and
- (ii) means for generating a temperature gradient across said heat conducting block and between said first and second opposing portions.
An automated apparatus for performing molecular biological reactions comprising at least one temperature controlled block, said block having a plurality of reaction mixture wells spaced between first and second opposing portions and in an upper portion thereof, and a block heater positioned adjacent to said first opposing portion and capable of generating a temperature gradient between said first and second opposing portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.