Performance evaluation of cost-optimized thermal cycler

Technol Health Care. 2015:24 Suppl 1:S179-85. doi: 10.3233/THC-151067.

Abstract

A polymerase chain reaction is a test method currently used in almost all process steps of a genetic manipulation experiment. It involves the amplification of the given genetic material targeted by the detection test. In consideration of the graphical user interface development environment or user accessibility, if a PC with the windows operating system or its embedded version can be employed as a host, it will contribute significantly to resource saving, including development-related human resources and time, along with enabling a broad use of the product. In this study, we focus on the low cost implementation of a PCR thermal cycler for the personal usage. It is aimed to drastically reduce the product development time and maintenance/repair costs. To achieve this, we implement the functions for biochemical process in a local embedded system, and the functions of data management, including the PCR protocol, and user-interface management are implemented on a PC.

Keywords: PCR protocol management; PCR thermal cycler; graphical user interface; local-host architecture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Hot Temperature*
  • Humans
  • Microcomputers*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / economics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / instrumentation*
  • Time Factors
  • User-Computer Interface