Choosing your thermocycler PCR amplification
Essential in research laboratories, medical diagnostics, food industry, and quality control, PCR amplification is the premier technique in molecular biology. The thermocycler is the essential tool for performing PCR amplification. A wide range of thermocyclers exists with various features: well count, temperature gradient, sample volume, data transfer, control software, and more.
To help you make the right choice and find THE thermocycler suited to your needs, here we present a few key features.
What is the purpose of a thermocycler?
A thermocycler functions to heat and cool a reaction mixture (DNA, enzymes, and reagents) held in a sealed microtube over durations of a few seconds to several minutes. The thermocycler manages successive cycles of DNA denaturation, hybridization, and polymerization, exponentially increasing the initial amount of DNA. PCR amplification typically requires repeating the same cycle 35 to 40 times.
For optimal laboratory use, a thermocycler should be programmable, easy to operate, compliant with CE standards for safety, and have enough wells to accommodate the workload (whether for educational or professional purposes).
Peltier module: a fast and reliable thermal device
A thermocycler is a device that heats to over 100°C, often operated by users with varying experience levels and with liquid reaction media. Safety is therefore paramount. CE compliance is a minimum legal requirement for any equipment sold in Europe, indicating that the device meets the standards set by relevant directives and regulations. All materials, electrical wiring—everything is rigorously inspected to mitigate risks of burns, cuts, or electric shocks.
Safety
Today, thermocyclers are mainly equipped with a Peltier thermoelectric module, enabling active heating and cooling. This allows for rapid transitions between 4°C and 100°C, regardless of lab temperature conditions. This technology also makes it possible to preserve samples by maintaining them at 4°C after amplification. The precision of thermoelectric regulation ensures optimal operation with all types of PCR reagents and long-term reliability.
Since we are design products intended for student use, our standards go beyond CE requirements, ensuring user safety even in cases of mishandling.
Robustness
This equipment represents a long-term investment, making robustness and reliability essential for any institution or laboratory.
An extended manufacturer’s warranty is therefore a sign of design and manufacturing quality.
By manufacturing our products in France and controlling the production, we ensure the longevity of your device and guarantee our ability to intervene and repair throughout the product’s lifecycle.
Programming & control
The programs manage the repetition of temperature cycles as well as the preservation of samples in the absence of the user. The control screen of the thermocycler allows you to select pre-recorded programs and quickly start the amplification process. Some models lack a control screen and must be connected to another device, such as a PC or smartphone.
Free control software
This software supports the user during amplification.
Monitoring is done on a PC screen, providing real-time supplementary information: DNA animations and a theoretical copy count.
The process becomes more tangible and understandable, and the thermal cycler is no longer just a "black box."
Educational and professional device
The large-capacity thermocyclers (more than 48 wells) with volumes of 0.2 ml or 0.5 ml are ideal for professional or higher education classes as they closely resemble the working conditions found in research laboratories or the industry.
For less frequent use or to help understand the principles of PCR amplification, smaller-capacity thermocyclers (less than 24 wells) are recommended.
Thermocycler 16 wells of Jeulin is designed for use by non-specialist users. It is well-suited for introducing the principle of PCR due to its ease of use and robustness. In a classroom setting, having several small thermocyclers allows for greater flexibility during sessions. It is also useful in laboratories or fieldwork for experiments with fewer samples or for those with smaller budgets (for example, testing for pathogen presence in a culture).
Thermal cycler 16 wells – Jeulin |
Thermocycler T100 96-well - Bio-Rad |
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| Reference | 951110 | 707609 |
| Number of blocks | 1 | 1 |
| Number of wells | 16 | 96 |
| Temperature range | 1 à 99 °C | 4 à 100 °C |
| Maximum heating rate | 3 °C per second | 4 °C per second |
| Temperature accuracy | +/- 0,2 °C | +/- 0,5 °C |
| Maximum number of stored/customizable programs | 8 / unlimited | 500 / unlimited if stored on USB drive |
| Screen | 128 x 64 mm | 145 mm color VGA touchscreen |
| Data transfer | USB cable or Bluetooth | 1 USB port |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 225 x 140 x 100 mm | 260 x 470 x 230 mm |
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Product Thermal cycler 16 wells – Jeulin |
Product Thermocycleur T100 96 puits - Bio-Rad |
Tested & approved
Thermocycler taught for PCR
Carrying out genotyping by PCR
Guide to using a micropipette
Un grand merci à Mr Tartière pour son retour et témoignage concernant le thermocycleur PCR.
Mr Marc Tartière
Chargé de mission MCNL, Interlocuteur Académique pour le Numérique - SVT
Enseignant en charge de la responsabilité pédagogique du SAMS (Service Académique de Matériel Scientifique) Lycée Joffre – Montpellier
"J'ai pu utiliser le thermocycleur didactique Jeulin pour la réalisation d'une PCR (kit de l’amélogénine) effectuée par des élèves de classe de 1re. L'utilisation de ce thermocycleur didactique permet de visualiser les cycles réalisés, lorsqu'il est branché en USB au PC. C'est réellement un plus pédagogique. C'est un outil didactique mais il n'en reste pas moins un "vrai" thermocycleur permettant des variations de températures rapides.
Les résultats obtenus lors de cette PCR sont en total accord avec les résultats attendus en travaillant sur les séquences du gène étudié, récupérées sur NCBI. Ceci montre que les élèves réalisent avec ce kit et ce matériel une véritable PCR (et non une modélisation)."