TW-ZW108 African Swine Fever Real-Time Fluorescent Quantitative PCR Analyzer by Tianwei Environmental

Overview

The TW-ZW108 African Swine Fever Real-Time Fluorescent Quantitative PCR Analyzer is a compact, field-deployable nucleic acid amplification platform engineered for rapid, on-site detection of African swine fever virus (ASFV) DNA. Based on the principle of real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), the instrument enables precise target DNA quantification through sequence-specific amplification coupled with fluorescence signal monitoring during each thermal cycle. Its design adheres to core molecular diagnostics requirements for veterinary pathogen surveillance—emphasizing speed, reproducibility, and operational robustness under variable environmental conditions. Unlike conventional laboratory-based qPCR systems, the TW-ZW108 integrates thermocycling, optical detection, and embedded data analysis into a single portable unit, supporting both fixed-lab and mobile deployment in farms, slaughterhouses, border inspection posts, and regional veterinary diagnostic centers.

Key Features

• Compact architecture (355 × 200 × 124 mm; 2.5 kg) optimized for transportability and space-constrained environments—including mobile veterinary labs and field testing vans.
• Integrated 7-inch HD capacitive touchscreen with intuitive graphical user interface, eliminating dependency on external computers for assay setup and result interpretation.
• High-performance thermal control system featuring Marlow Peltier modules, PT1000 precision temperature sensors, and resistive edge-heating compensation—achieving ≤±0.1 °C temperature accuracy and ≤±0.2 °C well-to-well uniformity across the 8-well block.
• Fast thermal ramping: up to 7 °C/s heating and 5 °C/s cooling, significantly reducing total assay time without compromising amplification fidelity.
• Optimized optical detection subsystem with maintenance-free LED excitation (400–700 nm) and imported photodetectors, calibrated for FAM and SYBR Green I chemistries—enabling reliable endpoint and kinetic fluorescence readout.
• Automatic pressure-adjusting thermal lid ensures consistent seal integrity across varying ambient humidity and altitude conditions, critical for field use in diverse geographic regions.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TW-ZW108 supports standard transparent 0.2 mL PCR tubes and 8-tube strips, accommodating reaction volumes from 5 to 120 µL. It is validated for use with MARA-approved ASFV fluorescent qPCR diagnostic kits—including both nucleic acid extraction reagents and ready-to-use master mixes—ensuring regulatory alignment with China’s national veterinary diagnostic standards (NY/T 3387–2018, GB/T 38924–2020). While primarily deployed in PRC-regulated contexts, the platform’s performance parameters meet baseline technical expectations for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited veterinary laboratories conducting pathogen detection under GLP-like documentation practices. The instrument does not carry CE, FDA 510(k), or IVDR certification; users intending deployment outside China must verify local regulatory acceptance pathways and validate assay performance per jurisdictional requirements.

Software & Data Management

The embedded firmware includes a dedicated qPCR analysis suite supporting real-time amplification curve visualization, Ct value calculation, automatic positive/negative classification based on user-defined thresholds, and comparative ΔΔCt analysis for relative quantification. All raw fluorescence data and metadata (including operator ID, sample ID, date/time stamp, thermal profile logs) are stored locally in encrypted binary format and exportable via USB to CSV or PDF reports. Audit trail functionality records all parameter modifications and result exports, supporting traceability requirements aligned with internal quality management systems. Software updates are delivered via secure USB firmware packages—no internet connectivity required during operation, enhancing biosafety and data security in high-containment or offline settings.

Applications

• Veterinary diagnostics: Rapid screening and confirmation of ASFV in blood, tissue homogenates, oral fluids, and environmental swabs from pig farms and transport vehicles.
• Surveillance and outbreak response: Deployment at provincial veterinary stations and cross-border checkpoints for early detection and containment decision support.
• Food safety verification: Detection of ASFV DNA in pork-derived products to prevent adulterated or contaminated meat from entering processing lines.
• Differential diagnosis: Compatible with multiplex-ready chemistries for parallel detection of co-circulating porcine pathogens—including classical swine fever virus (CSFV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), pseudorabies virus (PRV), and avian influenza virus (AIV) when paired with validated assay kits.
• Research applications: Gene expression profiling in porcine immune cells, viral load kinetics studies, and evaluation of antiviral compound efficacy in controlled experimental settings.

FAQ

Is the TW-ZW108 certified for clinical diagnostic use outside China?
No. It holds MARA registration for ASFV detection within China but lacks FDA 510(k), CE-IVD, or other international regulatory clearances. Export use requires local validation and regulatory approval.
Can the instrument run multiplex assays?
The standard configuration supports only single-channel detection (FAM/SYBR Green I). Multiplex capability requires hardware modification and is not supported out-of-the-box.
What is the minimum detectable viral load?
Detection sensitivity depends on the companion extraction kit and assay chemistry—not the instrument alone. When used with MARA-approved kits, typical LOD ranges from 10 to 100 copies/reaction.
Does the system support remote data transmission?
No. Data transfer is limited to USB export; no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cloud connectivity is implemented for biosafety and data sovereignty reasons.
Is routine calibration required?
Yes. Users must perform annual temperature and optical calibration using traceable reference standards per manufacturer guidelines to maintain measurement integrity.