Applied Biosystems ProFlex 2×Flat PCR System
| Brand | Applied Biosystems |
|---|---|
| Origin | Singapore |
| Model | ProFlex 2×Flat PCR System |
| Instrument Type | Standard Thermal Cycler |
| Sample Throughput | 2 × 96-well flat plates (0.2 mL) |
| Heating Rate | 1.6°C/s |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.25°C (35–99.9°C) |
| Inter-well Temperature Uniformity | <0.5°C (20 sec after reaching 95°C) |
| Module Configuration | Dual independent flat-block thermal modules |
Overview
The Applied Biosystems ProFlex 2×Flat PCR System is a high-precision, dual-module thermal cycler engineered for reproducible nucleic acid amplification across diverse molecular biology workflows. Utilizing Peltier-based thermoelectric heating and cooling technology, the system delivers rapid thermal ramping (1.6°C/s) and exceptional temperature fidelity—critical for stringent applications such as endpoint PCR, genotyping, cloning, and pre-sequencing library amplification. Its dual-flat-block architecture enables two independent 96-well (0.2 mL) reaction zones, each operating under fully separate thermal profiles, timing sequences, and user-defined protocols. This physical and operational isolation eliminates cross-run interference and supports concurrent optimization of assay conditions—such as annealing temperature gradients or cycling parameter sweeps—without hardware reconfiguration.
Key Features
- Dual independent flat-block modules: Two identical 96-well (0.2 mL) heated blocks with individual PID-controlled thermal regulation, allowing simultaneous execution of unrelated PCR protocols.
- High-fidelity thermal performance: ±0.25°C accuracy across the full operational range (35–99.9°C) and <0.5°C inter-well uniformity at 95°C (measured 20 seconds post-equilibration), ensuring consistent amplification efficiency across all wells.
- Modular flexibility: Compatible with the broader ProFlex platform ecosystem—including 3×32-well, 96-well, 384-well, and OpenArray® modules—enabling lab-wide standardization without sacrificing application-specific optimization.
- Intuitive touchscreen interface: 7-inch capacitive LCD display with gesture-enabled navigation, real-time run monitoring, and on-device protocol editing; supports multi-user login with role-based access control.
- Remote instrument management: Free Instrument Connect mobile application (iOS and Android) enables secure Wi-Fi or Ethernet-based remote start/stop, status alerts, protocol upload/download, and completion notifications—fully compliant with local network security policies.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ProFlex 2×Flat system accommodates standard 0.2 mL skirted or semi-skirted 96-well PCR plates and tube strips, with optimized pressure distribution to ensure uniform lid contact and evaporation control. It supports common plate formats used in qPCR preparation, Sanger sequencing template amplification, and NGS library enrichment. The instrument complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and meets electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements per EN 61326-1:2013. While not a regulated medical device, its thermal traceability, audit-ready event logging, and password-protected method storage align with GLP and GMP-aligned laboratory practices. Data integrity is reinforced through timestamped protocol execution logs and user activity records—supporting internal QA documentation and external inspection readiness.
Software & Data Management
Instrument operation is managed via Thermo Fisher Connect cloud services and locally installed Design & Analysis Software (v3.0+). All protocols, run logs, and thermal profiles are stored with ISO/IEC 17025-compatible metadata—including user ID, timestamp, module assignment, and calibration verification status. Export options include CSV, PDF, and XML formats compatible with LIMS integration. For laboratories subject to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, optional software add-ons provide electronic signature capability, audit trail configuration, and secure user authentication—ensuring compliance during regulatory submissions or internal audits.
Applications
- High-throughput endpoint PCR for gene expression screening and SNP detection
- Parallel assay development—e.g., optimizing primer annealing temperatures or Mg²⁺ concentrations across two independent reaction sets
- Preparation of amplicons for downstream next-generation sequencing (NGS) library construction
- Amplification of low-abundance targets requiring stringent thermal consistency, such as methylation-specific PCR or multiplexed amplicon panels
- Integration into automated liquid handling workflows via RS-232 or USB command-line interface (CLI) support
FAQ
Can the two flat blocks run different ramp rates within the same program?
No—the ramp rate is defined per protocol, but each block executes its assigned protocol independently; therefore, two distinct protocols with different ramp rates may run concurrently.
Is the system compatible with third-party 96-well plates?
Yes, provided plates meet ANSI/SBS dimensional standards and feature appropriate thermal mass and lid compatibility; validated plate types are listed in the Operator’s Manual Appendix A.
Does the ProFlex 2×Flat support gradient PCR?
No—gradient functionality is available only on single-module ProFlex configurations (e.g., 96-well Gradient or 3×32-well modules); the 2×Flat system prioritizes parallelism over intra-block thermal variation.
How often does the system require calibration verification?
Thermo Fisher recommends annual verification using an NIST-traceable dry-block thermometer; built-in self-test diagnostics assess thermal sensor drift prior to each run.
Can run data be exported directly to Excel or LIMS?
Yes—CSV exports include cycle-by-cycle temperature, fluorescence (if connected to compatible detection modules), and user-defined annotations; API access is available for enterprise LIMS integration via Thermo Fisher Connect.
