Several of the platforms employ a standard 96-well block format or interchangeable 384-well block and offer a medium to high throughput. An advantage of employing a block format is that standard PCR plates and tubes can be used and these tend to be cheaper than instrument-specific plastics (SmartCycler, Rotor-Gene) or glass capillaries (LightCyclers 1.5 & 2.0). Also, the LightCyclers 1.5 & 2.0 and SmartCycler require centrifugation to move sample into the reaction vessel and these alternative designs may not be suitable for all applications. For the highest throughput, the ABI 7900HT combines a 384-well plate format with an automation accessory, which allows for up to 84 plates to be loaded and unloaded, providing a throughput of >5000 wells per 8-hour day or 30,000 wells for end-point analysis only. The LightCycler 480 also offers a similar level of automation and high-throughput workflow capability. These high throughput instruments are ideal for dedicated laboratories where large batches of samples are run, with few different cycling parameters. An additional specification of a few platforms is the ability to perform gradient thermocycling, which can be very useful at the assay optimisation stage.

from Logan and Edwards (2009) in Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and Applications

Bibliography:

1. Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and Applications
2. Real-Time PCR in Microbiology: From Diagnosis to Characterization
3. PCR Troubleshooting: The Essential Guide
4. PCR Books

Labels: ABI 7900HT, LightCycler, Rotor-Gene, SmartCycler