Method for rapid thermal cycling of biological samples

A method of amplifying a nucleic acid, said method comprising:

• a) heating a sample holder containing a sample comprising a nucleic acid and amplification primer, thereby raising the temperature of the sample to a first temperature, and holding the sample at about said first temperature for a first predetermined period of time to denature said double-stranded nucleic acid;
• b) cooling the sample holder, thereby lowering the temperature of the nucleic acid sample to a second temperature, and holding the sample at about said second temperature for a second predetermined period of time to anneal said amplification primer;
• c) heating the sample holder, there raising the temperature of the nucleic acid sample to a third temperature, and holding the sample at about said third temperature for a third predetermined period of time to allow amplification of said nucleic acid;
• d) repeating steps a) through c), wherein steps a) through c) are completed within a time range of about 30 seconds to 60 seconds;
• wherein said sample holder has a thermal mass which provides for completing said cycle within said time range.

A method of subjecting a sample to rapid thermal cycling, said method comprising:

• a) heating a sample holder containing a sample with heated fluid, thereby raising the temperature of the sample to a first temperature, and holding the sample at about said first temperature for a first predetermined period of time;
• b) cooling the sample holder with non-heated fluid, thereby lowering the temperature of the sample to a second temperature, and holding the sample at about said second temperature for a second predetermined period of time;
• c) heating the sample holder with heated fluid, thereby raising the temperature of the sample to a third temperature, and holding the sample at about said third temperature for a third predetermined period of time;
• wherein steps a) through c) are completed within a time range of about 30 seconds to 60 seconds and repeated at least one time;
• and
• wherein said sample holder has thermal mass which provides for completing said cycle within said time range.