Summary:
Achieving reliable PCR and qPCR results requires not only high-quality reagents but also optimized consumables like Azenta Life Sciences’ 4titude PCR plates.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Optimized Design: Ultra-thin-walled plates made from virgin polypropylene ensure efficient heat transfer and consistent amplification.
  2. Well Color Matters: White wells enhance fluorescence sensitivity, while frosted wells offer a balance between signal strength and instrument compatibility.
  3. Workflow Flexibility: Options like divisible plates, varied skirt designs, and color-coded frames support efficient, organized, and cost-effective workflows.

Achieving reliable PCR and qPCR results is not just about the reagents—consumables play a crucial role too. 4titude PCR plates from Azenta Life Sciences are optimized to meet the varied and often overlooked needs of modern PCR workflows.

Manufactured from Virgin Polypropylene

Manufactured from virgin polypropylene in a Class 7 ISO-certified cleanroom, these 96- and 384-well plates are available in both low- and high-profile formats, with options for non-skirted, semi-skirted, and fully skirted designs. The ultra-thin-walled construction ensures efficient heat transfer, a critical factor in achieving consistent amplification, while raised rims support reliable sealing—helping to avoid sample loss or contamination.

It is widely acknowledged that well colour influences performance in real-time applications. While clear wells provide excellent visibility for pipetting and sample inspection, they can fall short when it comes to fluorescence sensitivity. White wells, on the other hand, enhance signal reflection, boosting the signal-to-noise ratio and improving both sensitivity and reproducibility—particularly useful for low-abundance targets or assays where every cycle counts.

PCR Plates Avoid Instrument Software Issues

However, not all instruments are compatible with white wells. In response, Azenta developed frosted-well PCR plates—avoiding instrument software issues associated with white wells, while still offering stronger signal retention than clear options.Azenta Life Sciences also offers divisible PCR plates that provide all the flexibility of tube strips, in a plate format. These divisible PCR plates can be easily split into smaller plate sections, avoiding wasted materials and money.

To support organization and reduce cross-contamination risk, 4titude PCR plates are available with a variety of frame colours and well finishes—clear, frosted, and white—allowing for quick visual differentiation between samples or workflows, whether labs are running high-throughput assays or sensitive qPCR reactions.

Featured Image: Achieving reliable PCR and qPCR results requires not only high-quality reagents but also optimized consumables like Azenta Life Sciences’ 4titude PCR plates. Image: Azenta Life Sciences