New Range of Thermal Cyclers Offer Excellent Efficiency

Two new thermal cyclers are available that proffer excellent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) efficiency and well-to-well consistency within an extremely compact footprint.

The Piko Thermal Cycler has fast ramping rates and quick settling times, and utilizes ultra-thin walled (UTW) vessels for better temperature transfer, which enables protocols to be completed more quickly.


The Arktik Thermal Cycler provides the flexibility of three interchangeable blocks for standard 96-, 384- and 2 × 48-well PCR plates, with a broad and accurate temperature gradient option offering a cross-block differential of up to 30 °C. Both the Piko and Arktik Thermal Cyclers feature highly intuitive user interfaces, with clear display of protocols for highly efficient programming and operation.

The Thermal Cyclers are manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., (Waltham, MA, USA). These two new PCR instruments meet the needs of a broad range of scientists, for applications covering individual PCRs through to high throughput projects. The Piko Thermal Cycler can use standard low profile PCR tubes, eight-tube strips, as well as the specialized 24- and 96-well Piko PCR plates. The 24-well plate has a well volume of 0.225 mL, and a sample volume whose maximum capacity is 50 µL. The 96-well plate has a well volume of 0.05 mL, and a sample volume maximum of 20 µL. The 24- and 96-well UTW Piko plates are a quarter the size of conventional plates, which in combination with the unique heating block design, considerably reduces energy, plastic and reagent consumption. Furthermore, instrument's small size, weighing only 4 kg, and reduced power consumption make it portable and ideal for use away from the laboratory and its automated heated lid provides consistent and tight sealing for every run.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.