What is the qTOWERiris Series?

qTOWERiris is Analytik Jena’s real-time PCR platform for amplification and fluorescence-based detection of nucleic acids. It combines precise thermal cycling with a highly sensitive optical detection system to support quantitative PCR, melting curve analysis and multiplex assays.

The platform is designed as an open qPCR system. Researchers can choose the consumables, assays, reagents and fluorescent dyes that best fit their workflows, while configurable color modules allow the optical system to be adapted to different fluorescence channels.

Three principal configurations are available:

• qTOWERiris – PC-controlled 96-well real-time PCR system.
• qTOWERiris touch – standalone 96-well system with an integrated 10-inch touchscreen.
• qTOWERiris 384 – 384-well real-time PCR system designed for high-throughput applications.

UV-ready versions are also available for applications requiring fluorescence detection within the UV-A wavelength range.

Key Features of the qTOWERiris Real-Time PCR System

• Multiplex detection of up to six targets simultaneously.
• Optical coverage from UV-A to near infrared (NIR).
• Flexible, individually configurable fluorescence color modules.
• Compatibility with commonly available qPCR dyes, assays, reagents and consumables.
• Temperature uniformity of ±0.15 °C across the sample block.
• High-sensitivity PMT fluorescence detection.
• Fiber-optic scanning for individual well excitation and detection.
• 96-well and 384-well configurations.
• Linear temperature gradient functionality for assay optimization.
• Automatic self-test before each run.
• Free access to raw fluorescence data.
• Software-adjustable gain for optimization of weak fluorescence signals.
• Quiet operation suitable for routine laboratory environments.

Precise and Uniform Temperature Control

Temperature accuracy and uniformity are essential for reproducible real-time PCR results. Small temperature differences between wells can influence amplification efficiency, melting behavior and Ct values.

The 96-well qTOWERiris systems use a silver sample block with gold coating. Silver offers very high thermal conductivity, helping distribute heat rapidly and uniformly across the block.

The qTOWERiris series achieves temperature uniformity of ±0.15 °C at 55 °C after 15 seconds and temperature control accuracy of ±0.1 °C.

Fast Heating and Cooling

For the 96-well qTOWERiris and qTOWERiris touch systems, thermal performance includes:

• 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.

Precise thermal control allows the target temperature to be reached rapidly while minimizing temperature overshoot and undershoot. This helps maintain consistent amplification conditions and reduces the risk of unwanted amplification artifacts.

Linear Gradient Tool

The integrated gradient function is useful during assay development and PCR optimization. Different annealing temperatures can be tested within a single run to identify suitable reaction conditions.

For the 96-well configuration, the adjustable gradient range extends across 12 columns, while the 384-well configuration provides gradient control across 24 columns.

Advanced Optical Detection from UV-A to Near Infrared

qTOWERiris combines a high-power LED excitation source, fiber-optic scanning and sensitive photomultiplier tube detection to provide reliable fluorescence measurements across the PCR plate.

Instead of relying on a conventional camera-based imaging system, the fiber-optic shuttle moves across the plate and measures wells individually. Each well is excited and detected from the same optical geometry, helping achieve consistent fluorescence acquisition throughout the sample block.

Multiplex qPCR with Up to Six Targets

The instrument can analyze up to six fluorescence targets simultaneously, enabling complex multiplex qPCR assays within a single reaction.

The qTOWERiris platform supports spectral detection from conventional visible fluorescence channels through near infrared. UV-ready configurations additionally extend the excitation range into UV-A.

Typical fluorescence channels include dyes within spectral regions used for:

• FAM-type dyes.
• JOE-type dyes.
• ATTO550-type dyes.
• ROX-type dyes.
• Cy5-type dyes.
• Cy5.5-type near-infrared dyes.
• UV-A fluorescent dyes such as ATTO390 with the appropriate UV module.

The flexible optical architecture enables laboratories to configure detection channels according to existing or future assay requirements.

An Open qPCR System with Freedom of Choice

One of the defining characteristics of qTOWERiris is its open-system architecture.

Laboratories are free to select:

• qPCR reagents and master mixes.
• Fluorescent dyes and probes.
• PCR assays.
• Compatible PCR plates, tubes and strips.
• Color modules according to required detection wavelengths.

The instrument is factory calibrated, and changing to another compatible fluorescence dye does not normally require instrument recalibration. Additional color modules can be selected and installed according to evolving laboratory requirements.

Software gain settings can also be used to selectively enhance weaker fluorescence signals, providing additional flexibility during assay development and optimization.

Reliable Well-to-Well Fluorescence Detection

The fiber-optic scanning system measures wells sequentially using consistent excitation and detection geometry. This design helps minimize positional differences across the PCR plate and supports homogeneous amplification curves.

According to performance data published by Analytik Jena, testing across a 96-well block using an E. coli-specific target produced a mean Ct value of 14.04 with a standard deviation of 0.04, demonstrating strong well-to-well uniformity under the reported test conditions.

The manufacturer also demonstrates discrimination between template concentrations separated by 1.3-fold dilution steps, illustrating the optical and thermal precision available for quantitative measurements.

qTOWERiris Models

qTOWERiris – 96-Well PC-Controlled System

The standard qTOWERiris uses a 96-well gold-coated silver sample block and is operated from a PC. It is suitable for research laboratories requiring flexible qPCR analysis with configurable fluorescence channels.

qTOWERiris Touch – Standalone qPCR

qTOWERiris touch combines the 96-well thermal and optical platform with an integrated 10-inch touchscreen. The system can therefore be operated as a standalone instrument without requiring a dedicated PC for routine setup and protocol execution.

qTOWERiris 384 – High-Throughput Real-Time PCR

qTOWERiris 384 provides a 384-well format for laboratories processing larger numbers of reactions. The system uses an aluminum alloy sample block and supports reaction volumes from 2 to 30 µL.

A complete 384-well plate can be optically read in approximately 6 seconds, independent of the number of fluorescence dyes being analyzed.

Applications of the qTOWERiris Real-Time PCR Platform

The combination of flexible fluorescence detection, precise thermal control and open reagent compatibility makes qTOWERiris suitable for a broad range of molecular biology applications.

Gene Expression Analysis

Real-time PCR can be used to quantify gene expression by measuring nucleic acid amplification during each PCR cycle. qTOWERiris supports fluorescence-based assays used in quantitative gene expression workflows.

Pathogen Detection

Multiplex capability allows several genetic targets to be detected within a single reaction, making the platform suitable for development and research involving microorganisms and pathogen-associated nucleic acid targets.

Genotyping and Mutation Analysis

Fluorescence-based PCR assays can be applied to distinguish genetic variants, alleles or sequence-specific targets.

Multiplex qPCR

Up to six fluorescence channels can be measured simultaneously, enabling multiple target genes, controls or reference sequences to be incorporated into a single reaction.

DNA Amplicon Library Preparation

The instrument can support PCR amplification workflows used during preparation of DNA amplicon libraries for next-generation sequencing applications.

Melting Curve Analysis

Precise thermal control and fluorescence monitoring support melting curve analysis for evaluation of PCR products and fluorescence-based thermal characterization workflows.

Thermal Shift Assays

UV-ready qTOWERiris configurations can expand the available fluorescence range for specialized applications, including fluorescence-based thermal shift assays using suitable dyes.

Research Fields

Typical application areas include:

• Molecular biology and genetics.
• Biomedical and life science research.
• Microbiology.
• Pharmaceutical research.
• Food and agricultural research.
• Environmental molecular analysis.
• Biotechnology.

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications may vary depending on model, UV configuration and instrument version. Please contact 2H Instrument for confirmation of the recommended configuration for your application.

qPCR Software and Data Management

The qTOWERiris series is supported by Analytik Jena software designed for real-time PCR setup, monitoring and analysis.

Key software functions include:

• Intuitive, modular workflow design.
• Standard qPCR analysis methods.
• Amplification curve analysis.
• Melting curve evaluation.
• Access to raw fluorescence measurement data.
• Generation of structured PDF reports.
• Advanced user management.
• Software-adjustable fluorescence gain.

An optional FDA 21 CFR Part 11 module is available for laboratories requiring additional functionality related to regulated electronic records and user management.

PC-controlled configurations can also support operation of multiple qTOWERiris instruments from a single computer, helping laboratories expand qPCR capacity while maintaining a centralized workflow.

Why Choose qTOWERiris?

Which qTOWERiris Model Should You Choose?

The ideal qTOWERiris configuration depends primarily on laboratory throughput, workflow preferences and fluorescence requirements.

• Choose qTOWERiris for flexible, PC-controlled 96-well qPCR workflows.
• Choose qTOWERiris touch when standalone operation and touchscreen control are preferred.
• Choose qTOWERiris 384 for laboratories requiring higher sample throughput and assay miniaturization.
• Choose a UV-ready configuration when applications require fluorescence excitation within the UV-A spectrum.

The required color modules should be selected according to the fluorescent dyes used in the intended assays.

Frequently Asked Questions About qTOWERiris