qPCR signal/noise ratios can be significantly increased by using frosted qPCR tubes, strips
and plates. Frosted products will generate higher signal/noise ratios (up to 40%) compared
to transparent ones.
By using frosted products both content viewability and high signal to noise ratio are achieved. White products are superior for enhancing signal/noise ratios. White products greatly enhance signal/noise ratios (up to 90%) compared to transparent ones and up to 50% compared to frosted products. Possible block pollution of dyes, differences in coatings, and inconsistent coatings can influence qPCR signals. White products will eliminate these influences while
frosted products will reduce the inconsistencies when compared to natural transparent products.
Micro-particles, by nature, increase signal to noise ratios in Real-Time PCR applications. BIOplastics BPLPM technology incorporates micro-particles that increase signal to noise ratios in Real-Time PCR applications.
| Natural Transparent | 100 | 100 |
| Light Frosted | 125 | 70 |
| Light Frosted + BPLPM | 140 | 50 |
| Frosted | 140 | 50 |
| Frosted + BPLPM | 150 | 30 |
| White | 180 | < 2 |
| white + BPLPM | 185 | < 1 |
Although low profile tubes were introduced in the marketplace back in 2000, some companies have renamed the original low profile 0.2 ml
vessels description to 0.1 ml “vessel”.
Low profile (0.1 ml) products are used in “fast cyclers” from ABI, Roche LightCycler ® 480 systems as well in (q)PCR cyclers with height adjustable lids.
The difference between low profile 0.1 ml vessels and regular products is the height of the product and consequently the volume it can hold.
More than half of a regular-profile strip remains above the thermal block level. In low profile tubes there is a smaller “air” volume above the
reaction mix than in regular and high profile tubes. This allows less reaction mix to go into gas phase, leading to less concentration of the
samples, less change in reaction conditions and therefore to more reproducible results. Most fast cyclers accept low profile tubes, strips and
plates. Most regular PCR cyclers accept regular profile and high profile file products. (tubes, tube-strips and plates).
Thermal cyclers without height-adjustable heated lids accept only one type, mainly regular height products. BIOplastics products are available in
all profile versions. The differences between low profile (0.1ml), regular profile and high profile products are illustrated in the drawing and
photographs below.
Extreme Uniform wall thickness leads to lower evaporation rates and therefore more consistent (q)PCR results. Extreme uniform wall thickness also leads to even heating of the sample and more homogenous reaction conditions, leading to more reproducible results.
Polypropylene is not completely gas tight and evaporation through the walls is inevitable. BIOplastics BV designs its tubes with thin walls at the bottom, to allow maximum heat transfer
by the thermocycler, and thicker walls at the top to minimize evaporation through the
polypropylene, leading to more reproducible results.
Thin Wall Thickness of BIOplastics products is defined as, and measured, 3 mm from the bottom, where as:
Single tubes and strips: 0.30 mm +/- 0.05 mm
Plates: 0.35 mm +/- 0.05 mm
Different thermocycler brands and models have slightly different block well angles.
BIOplastics uses its sister company’s (CYCLERtest) competence and knowledge of (q)PCR
cyclers during the (q)PCR vessel design. BIOplastics (q)PCR vessels features a tube angle optimized to fit all main brands and models of (q)PCR thermocyclers thus allowing maximum heat transfer and optimum results.
In low profile tubes there is a smaller “air” volume above the reaction mix than in regular and high profile tubes. This allows less reaction mix to go into gas phase, leading to less
concentration of the samples, less change in reaction conditions and therefore to more reproducible results. Most fast cyclers accept low profile tubes, strips and plates. Most regular (q)PCR cyclers accept regular profile and high profile products (tubes, strip-tubes and plates)
Clever design and sealing rims around the tube closure points provide a leak-free seal, reducing evaporation and leading to more reproducible results. The superior sealing properties allows running (q)PCR reactions with volumes as low as 5 µl. The cap design allows minimum pressure for closure and opening which is highly appreciated by users and minimizes RSI risks.
The caps of EU tubes and strips are designed to enable fluorescent signals to pass through to the optical detection unit of a Real-Time thermal cycler. For the closure of EU strips and plates BIOplastics offers a range of EU wide optical area cap strips along with the “Optiseal” adhesive seals. The EU optical caps strips have maximum optical areas (12.6 mm2) and the thickness of the “optical window” is reduced to 0.30 mm, which minimize light absorption of the plastics. BIOplastics’ designers have positioned the “optical area” indented to the cap surface which prevents “touching” the optical area during the whole (q)PCR process. EU wide optical cap strips can be used on any of the (q)PCR tubes, strips and plates. The robust design prevents any deformation, and applying and removing these cap-strips is easy.
Although polypropylenes are chemically inert, they still exhibit charged groups, static properties and hydrophobic areas. Different types and blends of polypropylene therefore show differences in binding of ions like magnesium, proteins, DNA and other charged groups which may influence your results. BIOplastics offers 3 different blends of polypropylene, these being O-type, A-type and M-type material. The O-type material is optimal material used in (q)PCR grade reaction vessels. A-type material resembles the classic polypropylene mix, has better chemical resistance properties when compared to O-type and is available for most of the (q)PCR reaction vessels. M-type material is a more robust material which is mainly used for 0.5 ml, 1.5 ml and 2 ml tubes and pipette tips. For (q)PCR applications we recommend O-type material for optimal results, as it is non-binding and shows the highest thermal conductivity. O-type and M-type material blends are specifically selected for non-binding characteristics to
DNA, RNA and proteins.
One of BIOplastics’ latest innovations is the incorporation of micro particles in its (q)PCR and related product range. The BPLPM technology (BIOplastics particle mix) products are offered
in addition to the regular range of (q)PCR products. While not interfering in the (q)PCR process, these particles, by nature, increase signal to noise ratio’s in Real Time PCR applications.
BPLPM enables indelible IN PRODUCT labeling and identification. While others use ink, stamps, or dyes containing organic solutions or stickers, BIOplastics’ BPLPM technique results in a non-removable, uniquely marked and coded product. No writing with markers, no mistakes, no removal of marks, no double identification numbers; just use the unique ID# at the beginning of your process. Link the unique ID to your Lab LIMS system and samples.
BPLPM technology is used in a selected range of products which will be increased in the future. BPLPM technology is particularly useful for accredited labs in Pre-diagnostics and Diagnostic settings to improve procedures and reduce the risks of label failures. Depending on purchase volumes, custom layouts and customized codes are available, and may prove useful for kit manufacturers to effectively trace products and applications.
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BIOplastics focus provides maximum mould and manufacturing accuracy, while precise product specifications result in superior and reproducible products. BIOplastics’ (q)PCR vessels have an average wall thickness of 0.30 mm and a maximum tolerance of 0.05 mm. These extremely tight tolerances lead to extraordinary uniform and reproducible products.
Consequently, reproducible melting and high resolution melting curves, typically used in the post qPCR process, are generated using BIOplastics extremely uniform products. HRM curves can be normalized, i.e. “cycler fingerprint” adjusted, by using CYCLERtest®‘cycler calibration services and calibration tools. (www.cyclertest.com)
