Temperature control for multi-vessel reaction apparatus

Abstract

Temperature control in a rectangular array of reaction vessels such as a thermal cycler such as is used for PCR procedures is achieved by use of a temperature block that is in contact with a combination of Peltier effect thermoelectric modules and wire heating elements embedded along the edges of the block. The elements can be energized in such a manner as to achieve a constant temperature throughout the array or a temperature gradient. Further control over the temperature and prevention of condensation in the individual reaction vessels is achieved by the use of a glass (or other transparent material) plate positioned above the vessels, with an electrically conductive coating on the upper surface of the glass plate to provide resistance heating.

Claims aren’t available for this document.