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Team:Paris Saclay/PS-PCR/detailed description
From 2013.igem.org
PSPCR
The Paris-Saclay open source PCR thermal cycler project.
Motivation
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a very useful procedure in the field of synthetic biology. However, this technique requires a device called a thermal cycler, which is designed to cycle the samples through different temperature steps. Commercial PCR thermal cyclers are traditionally very expensive, with prices starting at $2000, which makes them hard to afford for small labs and DIY projects.
This project aims at creating a thermal cycler for under 30€ with easily accessible parts.
Comparison with other open source projects
Some open source PCR thermal cycler projects already exist, but the aim of the PSPCR project is to provide a better and more affordable system, thus filling a gap in the list of existing projects.
| Project | Price | Discussion |
|---|---|---|
| OpenPCR | $649 | Heated lid, good performance but still expensive. |
| Arduino PCR | $85 | No heated lid, room for only 2 tubes, fan-only cooling. |
| LavaAmp | "pennies" | No data available, probably slow with no heated lid. |
| PSPCR | Under 30€ | Fast heating/cooling, 16 slots, heated lid. |
