What is the Biometra TAdvanced PCR Thermal Cycler?

Biometra TAdvanced is a high-performance endpoint PCR thermal cycler developed by Analytik Jena for precise amplification of nucleic acids.

During PCR, DNA is repeatedly exposed to precisely controlled temperature steps for denaturation, primer annealing and extension. Reliable amplification therefore depends heavily on the ability of the thermal cycler to reach the programmed temperatures quickly and maintain consistent conditions across all sample positions.

Biometra TAdvanced addresses these requirements through:

• High-speed Peltier-based temperature control.
• Heating rates of up to 8 °C/s depending on the selected block.
• High temperature uniformity across the sample block.
• Block temperature control with high accuracy.
• A wide selection of interchangeable sample blocks.
• Optional linear temperature gradient functionality.
• Advanced protocol programming.
• Flexible consumable compatibility.

Unlike a PCR thermal cycler with a permanently installed sample block, Biometra TAdvanced uses a modular architecture that allows laboratories to exchange the thermal block according to the application.

Key Features of Biometra TAdvanced

• 12 interchangeable sample block modules.
• 96-well, 384-well, 60-well and twin-block configurations.
• Aluminum and premium gold-coated silver block options.
• Maximum heating rate up to 8 °C/s with the 96-well silver block.
• Maximum heating rate up to 6 °C/s with standard 96-well aluminum blocks.
• Temperature control accuracy of ±0.1 °C.
• Adjustable block temperature from 3 °C to 99 °C.
• Standby cooling down to 4 °C.
• Optional Linear Gradient Tool for PCR optimization.
• Gradient span of up to 40 °C with the 96-well silver gradient block.
• High-Performance Smart Lid technology.
• 7-inch color touchscreen.
• Advanced user management for up to 90 user accounts.
• Protocol Wizard with primer annealing temperature calculator.
• Extended self-test functionality.
• Optional remote operation using Biometra TSuite software.
• Quiet operation with a maximum noise level of approximately 45 dBA.

Fast and Precise Temperature Control for Reproducible PCR

Temperature performance is one of the most important characteristics of a PCR thermal cycler. Biometra TAdvanced combines fast heating and cooling with precise block temperature control to provide consistent PCR conditions from one reaction position to another.

RAC Technology: Ramping, Accuracy and Control

Analytik Jena describes the thermal control concept used in its Biometra thermal cyclers as RAC – Ramping, Accuracy and Control.

The system is designed to approach programmed temperatures without unnecessary overshooting or undershooting. This helps ensure that the PCR reaction follows the temperature profile defined by the user as closely as possible.

Important benefits include:

• Rapid transition between PCR temperature steps.
• Reduced protocol run time.
• Consistent thermal conditions between wells.
• Improved reproducibility between PCR runs.
• Better transferability of established protocols.

Temperature Accuracy

The Biometra TAdvanced provides temperature control accuracy of ±0.1 °C across an adjustable temperature range from 3 °C to 99 °C.

A standby temperature down to 4 °C can be programmed for applications requiring cooled sample storage after completion of the PCR protocol.

High-Speed Silver Block for Demanding PCR Applications

For laboratories requiring maximum thermal performance, Biometra TAdvanced is available with a 96-well silver sample block.

Silver has extremely high thermal conductivity, allowing the sample block to respond rapidly to temperature changes. The Biometra TAdvanced silver block is additionally coated with gold to protect the surface against corrosion.

Up to 8 °C/s Heating Rate

The 96-well silver block provides:

• Maximum heating rate: 8.0 °C/s.
• Average heating rate: 7.0 °C/s.
• Maximum cooling rate: 5.5 °C/s.
• Average cooling rate: 4.5 °C/s.
• Temperature uniformity of approximately ±0.15 °C at 55 °C after 15 seconds.

These characteristics make the silver block particularly attractive for laboratories where fast cycling, high reproducibility and precise temperature transitions are important.

Silver or Aluminum Block?

Quick Block Exchange – One Thermal Cycler for Multiple PCR Formats

One of the most distinctive features of the Biometra TAdvanced series is the Quick Block Exchange system.

Instead of purchasing a separate thermal cycler whenever the required sample format changes, users can exchange the thermal block module within seconds.

The platform supports 12 different block modules covering applications such as:

• 96 × 0.2 mL PCR tubes.
• 96-well PCR microplates.
• 8-well PCR strips.
• 384-well PCR microplates.
• 60 × 0.5 mL PCR tubes.
• Twin 48-well configurations.
• Twin 30-well configurations.
• Combined 0.2 mL and 0.5 mL tube formats.

Automatic Block Detection

After an interchangeable block is installed, the instrument automatically detects the block module and adapts the available operating parameters accordingly.

No tools are required for routine block exchange.

Why Is Exchangeable Block Technology Useful?

Laboratory requirements often change over the lifetime of an instrument. A research group may initially perform conventional 96-well PCR but later require:

• 384-well PCR for higher throughput.
• 0.5 mL tubes for larger reaction volumes.
• Faster cycling using a silver block.
• Gradient PCR during method development.
• Twin-block formats for smaller sample batches.

The modular block concept enables the same Biometra TAdvanced base instrument to be adapted to these different requirements.

Linear Gradient Tool for PCR Protocol Optimization

One of the critical variables when developing a PCR method is the primer annealing temperature.

If the annealing temperature is too low, non-specific amplification may increase. If it is too high, primer binding and amplification efficiency may decrease.

Gradient PCR enables multiple annealing temperatures to be evaluated within a single experiment.

Near-Linear Temperature Gradient

The Linear Gradient Tool available with selected Biometra TAdvanced gradient blocks creates a near-linear temperature distribution across the sample block.

The user specifies:

• The annealing temperature at the center of the block.
• The required temperature increment.

The thermal cycler then generates the programmed gradient across the block.

This provides several advantages:

• Optimization of new primer pairs in one PCR run.
• Identification of suitable annealing temperatures.
• Reduction in the number of optimization experiments.
• Easy interpretation because temperature steps are distributed approximately linearly across the block.

Wide Gradient Range

The available gradient range depends on the selected block:

• 96-well aluminum gradient block: up to 30 °C across 12 rows.
• 96-well silver gradient block: up to 40 °C across 12 rows.
• 60-well gradient block: up to 30 °C across 10 rows.
• 384-well gradient block: up to 24 °C across 24 rows.
• Twin 48 gradient block: gradient functionality on one half of the twin block.

High-Performance Smart Lid for Consistent PCR Conditions

The heated lid of the Biometra TAdvanced uses Analytik Jena’s High-Performance Smart Lid (HPSL) technology.

An integrated slip clutch helps maintain defined contact pressure between the lid, PCR consumables and sample block, even when different compatible consumable formats are used.

This design helps:

• Maintain reproducible contact between PCR vessels and the thermal block.
• Reduce evaporation during thermal cycling.
• Prevent condensation in the block and lid area.
• Support consistent conditions across different PCR consumables.

The heated lid temperature can be adjusted from approximately 30 °C to 110 °C.

Broad PCR Consumable Compatibility

Depending on the block configuration, Biometra TAdvanced can accommodate different PCR plastic formats, including:

• Individual PCR tubes.
• 8-well strips.
• Low-profile PCR plates.
• High-profile PCR plates.
• Unskirted plates.
• Semi-skirted plates.
• Full-skirted plates.

Intuitive PCR Programming and Advanced User Management

Biometra TAdvanced is equipped with a 7-inch color touchscreen for standalone instrument operation.

PCR protocols can be created and modified using either graphical or spreadsheet-style programming interfaces.

Protocol Wizard

The integrated Protocol Wizard simplifies the creation of PCR programs.

Users can create protocols using polymerase-specific templates and enter key parameters such as:

• Annealing temperature.
• Number of PCR cycles.
• Expected PCR product length.

A primer annealing temperature calculator is also included to assist during protocol development.

Program Templates

Pre-installed program templates can be used directly or modified for individual applications.

This can reduce the amount of manual programming required when establishing common PCR workflows.

Quick Start

A user-specific Quick Start function provides fast access to recently used PCR programs.

Advanced User Management

Biometra TAdvanced can manage up to 90 user accounts with configurable access rights.

Different authorization levels can be defined to control functions such as:

• Protocol creation.
• Protocol modification.
• Instrument settings.
• Administrative functions.

This is particularly useful in shared laboratories where several research groups or operators use the same PCR instrument.

Extended Self-Test

The instrument includes an extended self-test function to evaluate relevant system components and thermal performance.

Test results can be documented and made available for technical assessment if required.

Biometra TAdvanced Block Configurations

Understanding the Model Names

The model designation can help identify the block configuration:

• G indicates a model equipped with gradient functionality.
• S indicates a 96-well silver block.
• SG indicates a silver block combined with gradient functionality.

For example, Biometra TAdvanced 96 SG combines the high thermal performance of the gold-coated silver block with the Linear Gradient Tool.

Applications of Biometra TAdvanced

The flexibility of the Biometra TAdvanced platform makes it suitable for a broad range of PCR-based molecular biology workflows.

Routine PCR Amplification

The 96-well aluminum block provides a versatile configuration for standard PCR amplification in research and routine molecular biology laboratories.

PCR Protocol Development

Gradient block versions enable rapid optimization of primer annealing temperatures during development of new PCR assays.

High-Throughput PCR

The 384-well block supports higher sample throughput and smaller reaction volumes for laboratories processing larger numbers of PCR reactions.

Long-Range PCR

The precise thermal control and flexible programming capabilities support demanding PCR workflows such as long-range amplification.

Genotyping

Biometra TAdvanced can be used for amplification steps within molecular genotyping workflows.

DNA Amplicon Preparation

The system supports preparation of PCR amplicons for downstream molecular analysis and sequencing workflows.

Environmental Molecular Biology

PCR amplification can be integrated into workflows for environmental microbial community analysis and other DNA-based environmental studies.

Food and Agricultural Research

The system can be used in molecular workflows involving DNA amplification for research and analytical applications in food and agriculture.

Pharmaceutical and Life Science Research

Flexible block configurations and advanced protocol control make the platform suitable for research laboratories working with diverse PCR protocols and sample numbers.

Biometra TAdvanced for NGS Library Preparation

PCR is an important step in many Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) library preparation workflows.

Temperature uniformity is particularly important because differences between PCR wells can affect amplification and potentially introduce variability into the resulting DNA libraries.

Biometra TAdvanced offers several characteristics relevant to NGS workflows:

• Excellent temperature uniformity across the block.
• Fast heating and cooling.
• Precise temperature control.
• 96- and 384-well configurations.
• Flexible reaction volumes.
• High-performance silver block option.
• Reproducible PCR conditions across multiple samples.

The system is therefore suitable for PCR amplification stages associated with DNA library preparation for sequencing workflows.

Biometra TAdvanced Technical Specifications

Technical performance varies according to the installed block module. Please contact 2H Instrument for confirmation of the appropriate Biometra TAdvanced configuration for your PCR application.

Biometra TSuite Thermal Cycler Management Software

Biometra TAdvanced can be operated as a standalone instrument through its touchscreen or connected to the optional Biometra TSuite thermal cycler management software.

Biometra TSuite enables compatible Analytik Jena thermal cyclers to be operated and monitored from a Windows computer.

Functions include:

• Remote thermal cycler control.
• Live monitoring of PCR runs.
• PCR program creation and management.
• Instrument management within a network.
• Run documentation.
• Centralized management of multiple compatible thermal cyclers.

This can be particularly useful for laboratories operating several PCR thermal cyclers simultaneously.

Designed for Multiuser Laboratories

Shared research laboratories often require both flexible instrument access and protection against accidental modification of validated or established protocols.

The advanced user management system of Biometra TAdvanced allows individual permissions to be assigned to different users.

This can help laboratories:

• Separate administrator and routine-user permissions.
• Protect important PCR protocols.
• Prevent unauthorized changes to instrument settings.
• Improve workflow organization in shared laboratories.
• Maintain run documentation.

Combined with password protection and documentation functions, the user-management tools can also support laboratories working under defined quality-management requirements.

Quiet Operation and Compact Laboratory Footprint

High-performance thermal cycling requires efficient heat management, but excessive fan noise can become disruptive when multiple thermal cyclers are installed in the same laboratory.

The airflow system of the Biometra thermal cycler family is optimized to maintain a maximum noise level of approximately 45 dBA.

The Biometra TAdvanced itself measures approximately:

• 277 mm wide.
• 457 mm deep.
• 264 mm high.

Only approximately 10 cm of clearance is required behind the instrument for airflow. When multiple instruments are placed side by side, additional clearance between units should be provided according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Why Choose Biometra TAdvanced?

Which Biometra TAdvanced Configuration Should You Choose?

The appropriate block configuration depends primarily on sample format, reaction volume, required throughput, protocol speed and whether gradient functionality is needed.

• Choose the 96-well aluminum block for standard PCR applications using conventional 0.2 mL tubes, strips and PCR plates.
• Choose the 96-well silver block when maximum heating and cooling performance and high temperature uniformity are required.
• Choose the 96 SG silver gradient block when both maximum thermal performance and extensive gradient PCR capability are required.
• Choose the 384-well block for higher-throughput applications and smaller PCR reaction volumes.
• Choose the 60-well block for larger-volume reactions using 0.5 mL PCR tubes.
• Choose a Twin block when smaller sample groups or different tube formats need to be accommodated efficiently.

Because the block modules are interchangeable, laboratories can also purchase additional block configurations later as application requirements evolve.

Frequently Asked Questions About Biometra TAdvanced