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Overview
Well Color Effect on Signal Strength
White well:
- Increases fluorescent signal for maximizing detection sensitivity
- Prevents fluorescent interference from adjacent wells or a contaminated cycler
Clear well:
- Transparent wells for easy sample handling
- Low signal variability for consistent results
Black well:
- Lower signal strength for FP (fluorescence polarization) and other assays where reflected light must be minimized
Sealer Effect on Signal Strength
Optical flat cap strips:
- Vapor-tight sealing for tube strips or 96-well plates
- Suitable for PCR volumes >5 µl
Microseal® 'B' adhesive seals, optically clear:
- A convenient sealing film for 96- or 384-well plates
- Higher optical transmission than optical caps
- Suitable for PCR volumes >10 µl
Clear Chill-out™ liquid wax:
- No heated lid or lid pressure is required for PCR
- Higher optical transmission than optical caps
- Solidified below 10°C to prevent spilling and aerosol formation
There are two common well heights for PCR tubes and plates:
- High-profile (full-height; around 20.7 mm) wells are “standard” and fit in most classical thermal cyclers and real-time PCR detection systems, such as Bio-Rad's iCycler®, iQ™ series real-time PCR detection systems, and Applied Biosystems' regular PCR systems and DNA sequencers.
- Low-profile (around 15.5 mm) wells are the newer design that reduces the potential for condensate formation and offers advantages for light capture in fluorescence assays, low-volume reactions, and fast PCR. They have been recommended for newer instruments such as Bio-Rad's C1000 Touch™ and S1000™ thermal cyclers, CFX series real-time PCR detection systems, and Applied Biosystems' fast PCR systems.
Instruments with adjustable lids can usually use both high-profile and low-profile wells. These instruments include Bio-Rad's 1000-series and DNA Engine® series thermal cyclers.
Our foils and optically clear seals have a strong adhesive that minimizes sample evaporation and peels off easily for simple sample retrieval.
Optically Clear Adhesive Seals
Microseal 'B' PCR Plate Seals
Optical seal – same seal can also be used for qPCR, including qPCR-based library quantification assays
Widely adopted for research – Bio-Rad’s most popular seal
Foil Adhesive Seals
Microseal 'F' PCR Plate Seals
Ideal for sample storage – highly solvent resistant and suitable for storage down to –80°C
Pierceable aluminum – easily retrieve sample by piercing with pipette tip
