BioTrove researchers perform Real-Time qPCR using 3072 through-holes on OpenArray™ plates with specially encapsulated primer pairs. Different primer pairs from various species including humans have been put through a series of internal tests to make sure they yield high quality results in the OpenArray™ system.

OpenArray™ Real-Time qPCR combines the parallelism of microarrays with the quantitation capabilities, sensitivity, and specificity of qPCR.

Researchers prepare their samples, adding them to a PCR Master Mix that includes SYBR® Green Dye I. Using the OpenArray™ Autoloader, samples are precisely loaded to each through-hole in the OpenArray™ plate. Reagent consumption and assay costs are significantly reduced because of the 100- to 1000- fold reduction in PCR volume.

OpenArray™ plates are sealed in cases and introduced into the BioTrove OpenArray™ NT Cycler. While the thermal cycler is operating, researchers can view real-time fluorescence data on the computer controller. Cycle threshold and melting temperatures are automatically measured. Each run results in data for approximately 9000 assays and includes amplification and melting curves.