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TC-512 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
The TC-512 has many features which increase the flexibility of the instrument and improve the ease of
use. The following features are described in more detail in this chapter:
• Gradient
• Adjustable heated lid
• Memory card
• Adjustable screen
• PC connections
This chapter also includes useful information relating to the type of consumables which can be used in
the thermal cycler.
GRADIENT
A gradient of temperatures across the block can be useful in optimising the annealing conditions for
primers; a gradient can be set around a temperature in any step of a program. The set temperature is
the temperature required in the middle columns of the block and the gradient is the variation at the
two extremes of the block; the left hand columns being the coolest and the right hand columns the
hottest.
The maximum temperature gradient which can be set is 30ºC; the lowest temperature is 20ºC and the
hottest temperature is 70ºC. Examples are given in the table below:
Lowest temperature (ºC) Set temperature (ºC) Highest temperature (ºC)
Gradient (ºC)
20
35
50
30
40
55
70
30
45
55
65
20
50
55
60
10
Schematic diagram
of the 96 well block
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12
set temperature
highest
temperature
lowest
temperature
gradient
TC512 Techne Manual 19/12/08 3:30 PM Page 24
