Bio-Rad S1000™ Dual 48-Well Gradient PCR Thermal Cycler
| Brand | Bio-Rad |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | S1000™ Dual 48 Well |
| Instrument Type | Gradient PCR Thermal Cycler |
| Sample Throughput | 2 × 48 wells (0.2 mL tubes or plates) |
| Max Heating Rate | 4 °C/s |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.2 °C at 90 °C |
| Well-to-Well Temperature Uniformity | ±0.4 °C within 10 s at 90 °C |
| Gradient Range | 30–100 °C, Span 1–24 °C |
| Temperature Range | 0–100 °C |
| Input Power | 400 W max |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 33 × 45.7 × 20.3 cm |
| Weight | 10.4 kg |
Overview
The Bio-Rad S1000™ Dual 48-Well Gradient PCR Thermal Cycler is a modular, high-precision thermal cycling platform engineered for laboratories requiring flexible throughput, rigorous temperature control, and seamless integration into scalable PCR workflows. Based on Peltier-driven thermoelectric heating and cooling, the instrument employs Bio-Rad’s proprietary honeycomb-block architecture to deliver rapid, uniform heat transfer across both 48-well reaction zones—enabling independent or synchronized cycling of two sample sets under identical or gradient conditions. Its design supports standalone operation or daisy-chain expansion with the C1000 Touch Thermal Cycler (up to three S1000 units per C1000 Touch), forming a coordinated 4-unit system capable of parallel processing up to 384 reactions per run. This architecture is particularly suited for assay development, optimization of annealing temperatures, and validation of multiplex or low-template amplifications where thermal fidelity directly impacts specificity and reproducibility.
Key Features
- Honeycomb aluminum reaction block with dual 48-well configuration—optimized for 0.2 mL tubes or 48-well plates, ensuring mechanical stability and minimal thermal lag.
- Gradient functionality with programmable span (1–24 °C) across 12 columns, enabling empirical determination of optimal annealing temperatures in a single run.
- High-speed thermal ramping: up to 4 °C/s heating and comparable cooling rates, reducing cycle times without compromising denaturation or extension efficiency.
- Temperature accuracy of ±0.2 °C at 90 °C and well-to-well uniformity of ±0.4 °C within 10 seconds at 90 °C—validated per ISO/IEC 17025-compliant calibration protocols.
- Adjustable heated lid (up to 110 °C) with pressure-sensitive contact mechanism, compatible with standard thin-wall PCR tubes, low-profile plates, and capless formats.
- Onboard LCD interface with dual programming modes: text-based step editing and semi-graphical time-temperature profile visualization for intuitive protocol construction.
- Local storage capacity exceeding 1,000 protocols; expandable via USB flash drive with FAT32 formatting support.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The S1000™ Dual 48-Well module accommodates standard 0.2 mL PCR tubes, skirted and unskirted 48-well plates, and strip tubes—compatible with all major master mix chemistries including hot-start DNA polymerases, reverse transcriptases, and probe-based detection systems. The instrument is certified for use in environments adhering to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and meets essential requirements of IEC 61010-1 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant as a standalone unit, audit-trail-capable data export (via USB) and password-protected protocol folders support traceability in regulated QC/QA settings when integrated with validated LIMS or ELN platforms.
Software & Data Management
Protocols are created, edited, and archived directly on the instrument or transferred from external hosts using USB-A ports (4×) and USB-B host connection. The system supports direct firmware updates and file synchronization with Bio-Rad’s CFX Maestro™ software suite when linked to a C1000 Touch controller. Exported run logs include timestamped thermal profiles, cycle-by-cycle temperature deviation metrics, and user authentication metadata—facilitating retrospective analysis and method verification per ISO 13485 or CLIA guidelines. No cloud connectivity or proprietary drivers are required; Windows XP through Windows 11 compatibility is maintained via standard HID-class USB communication.
Applications
- Primer annealing temperature optimization via linear or stepped gradients.
- High-fidelity amplification of GC-rich or secondary-structure-prone templates.
- Dual-channel reaction setup—for internal controls, replicate testing, or comparative gene expression assays.
- Preparative PCR for NGS library amplification where inter-run consistency is critical.
- Teaching laboratories requiring robust, entry-level thermal cyclers with industrial-grade specifications.
- Supporting ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing where documented thermal performance validation is mandatory.
FAQ
Can the S1000™ operate independently without connection to a C1000 Touch?
Yes—the S1000™ is fully functional as a standalone thermal cycler with complete onboard programming, display, and execution capabilities.
Is the gradient function available across both 48-well blocks simultaneously?
No—the gradient applies across a single 48-well block (12 columns × 4 rows); the second block operates at a fixed temperature or mirrors the gradient profile.
What calibration documentation is provided with the instrument?
Each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate traceable to NIST standards, covering accuracy and uniformity at 4°C, 55°C, 72°C, and 90°C.
Does the S1000™ support fast-cycling protocols?
Yes—its 4 °C/s ramp rate and optimized block thermal mass enable sub-30-second denaturation/annealing steps when used with fast polymerases and low-volume reactions.
Are third-party 48-well plates supported?
All ANSI/SLAS-compliant 48-well plates with standard footprint and height (≤17 mm) are mechanically and thermally compatible.
