1. Introduction
The NucleoLink and TopYield Strips are compatible with standard 0.2 ml V-shaped thermal blocks used in thermal cyclers. In order to prevent evaporation it is crucial to have a heated lid that can apply an even pressure on the inserted PCR vessels. If there is no heated lid, or the pressure is not evenly distributed, oil must be used.
2. Thermal cyclers with heated lid
The thermal cyclers listed in table 1 all fulfill the requirements mentioned above. However, if it is not indicated in the table, the individual thermal cycler has not been tested and is only assumed to be compatible with NucleoLink and TopYield. This assumption is based on the characteristics of the thermal cyclers, and initial testing should be carried. The thermal cyclers listed are all available with different blocks, and are therefore only compatible with NucleoLink and TopYield if a 0.2 ml block is used.
| Company | Thermal cycler | Description | Heated lid | Reference |
| Biometra | TRIO-Thermoblock 48 | 3 blocks with 6 x 8 x 0.2 ml | Yes | Not tested by Nunc |
| Biometra | Uno Thermoblock | 96 x 0.2 ml tubes | Yes, without pressure | Tested by Nunc. Performance OK Oil must be used |
| Biometra | UNO II 96 | 0.2/0.5 ml tubes, 96/384-well plates, slides | Yes | Tested by Nunc. Some evaporation Performance not optimal |
| Biometra | Personal Cycler 48 | 48 x 0.2 ml, 20 x 0.5 ml | Optional | Not tested by Nunc |
| Barnstead Thermolyne | Amplitron II | 48 x 0.5 ml, 96 x 0.2 ml | Yes | Currently being tested |
| Corbett Research | PC - 960 | 96-well x 0.2 ml, 60 x 0.5 ml | Yes | Tested externally Performance OK |
| EriComp | SingleBlock / TwinBlock | 0.2/0.5 ml tubes, 96-well plate, slides | ?? | Not tested by Nunc |
| EriComp | Deltacycler I / II | 0.2 /0.5 ml tubes, 96-well plates, slides | Yes | Tested by NNI, Naperville, Performance OK |
| Hybaid | TouchDown | 96-well plate, 48 x 0.5, 96 x 0.2/0.3, slides | Yes | Tested externally Performance OK |
| Hybaid | Omnigene | 96 x 0.2 ml | Yes | Tested by Nunc. Performance OK |
| Hybaid | Omn-E | 96 x 0.2 ml, 48 x 0.5 ml, 1 x 96-well plate | Yes | Not tested by Nunc |
| Lab-line Instruments | PTB-212 | 0.2 ml tubes, 96-well plate, 8-well tube strip | Yes | Not tested by Nunc |
| Lab-line Instruments | PTB-214 | 0.5 / 0.2 ml tubes | Yes | Not tested by Nunc |
| MJ Research | PTC-100-96 | 96-well plate (U-bottom) | Yes | Not tested by Nunc |
| MJ Research | PTC-200 | 60 x 0.5 ml, 96 x 0.2 ml, 96/192-well plate | Yes | Used by Nunc. Performance OK |
| MJ Research | PTC-225 Tetrad | 48/96 x 0.2, 96/192/384-well plate, slides | Yes | Not tested by Nunc |
| Oncor | Crocodile III | 0.2/0.5 ml tubes, 96-well plate, slides | Yes | Not tested by Nunc |
| Perkin Elmer | GeneAmp PCR System 9600 | 96 x 0.2 ml | Yes | Used by Nunc. Performance OK |
| Perkin Elmer | GeneAmp PCR System 2400 | 24 x 0.2 ml tubes | Yes | Tested externally Performance OK |
| Perkin Elmer | GeneAmp PCR System 9700 | 96 x 0.2 ml tubes | Yes | Not tested |
| Stratagene | RoboCycler 96 | 96 x 0.2 ml tubes, 96-well plate (V-bottom) | No | Tested by Nunc. Does not work with NucleoLink |
| Techne | Cyclogene | 40 x 0.5/0.25 ml, 96 x 0.25/0.2 ml tubes | Yes | Tested by Techne Performance OK |
| Techne | GeneE | 40 x 0.5/0.25, 96 x 0.25/0.2 tubes, slides | Optional | Tested by Nunc. Performance OK |
| Techne | Genius | 96 x 0.25/0.2 tubes, 192/384 plate | Yes | Tested by Nunc. Performance OK |
| Techne | ProGene | 5 5 (0.2 ml tubes). Strips must be parted | Yes | Tested externally Performance OK |
| UniEquib | Unitek TC2042 | 96-well plates, 96/48 x 0.2, 15 x 0.5, slides | Yes | Not tested by Nunc |
Table 1:. A list of thermal cyclers with a heated lid and thermal blocks to which NucleoLink and TopYield Strips are compatible. Not all thermal cyclers can provide a pressure as well as heat, and not all thermal cyclers that can produce a pressure can distribute it evenly.
3. Thermal cycler without heated lid
The following thermal cyclers all have a 0.2 ml block but no heated lid, which means that
OIL MUST BE USED
| Company | Thermal cycler | Description | Heated lid | Reference |
| Hybaid | TR1, TR2 | Old thermal cyclers | No | Not tested by Nunc |
| Idaho Technology | Rapid Cycler | 48 capillary/microcentrifuge tubes | No | Not tested by Nunc |
| LEP Scientific | PREM | Old, 40 x 0.5 ml, 22 x 1.5 ml, 96-well plate | No | Not tested by Nunc |
| Techne | MW-1A | 96-well plates | No | Not tested by Nunc |
| Techne | MW-2 | 96-well plates | No | Not tested by Nunc |
Table 2: A list of thermal cyclers with a thermal block to which NucleoLink and TopYield Strips are compatible, but have no heated lid.
4. Conclusion
A thermal cycler must have a 0.2 ml thermal block to fit NucleoLink Strips. If the thermal cycler does not have a heated lid with pressure, oil can be used to prevent evaporation.