FrameStar^® PCR Plates

Benefits

• Warp free
  
• Within SBS footprint pre and post PCR
• Improved seal integrity
• Recommended for low volume PCR
• Thin-wall design for fast PCR
• Reliable use with stackers and liquid handling robots
• Guaranteed well integrity
• Free of human DNA, RNAses and DNases
• Clean-room produced
• Bar coding & Colour options

Options

Bar Coding

All skirted plates are available with linear barcodes for identification and traceability. The labels are highly scratch resistant and can withstand cold storage (-80°C) and solvents such as DMSO. Labels can be printed with human readable text and are available in code 39, 128 or interleaved 2 from 5 formats. For more details please see our Custom Barcode Form »

White Tubes

For experiments involving fluorescence detection, e.g. qPCR, we have developed plates which are especially low in autofluorescence. For this type of experiment we recommend to use our plates with white wells to maximise signal intensity due to the reflective properties of the pigment.

Colour Options

FrameStar^® plates are available with purple, blue, red, green, clear and black frames, all with clear tubes. In addition we offer plates with white tubes optimised for fluorescence assays. Plates with black tubes are available on request (please enquire).

Sealing Options

• Heat sealing options for manual and automated use including optical, pierceable and peelable seals.
• Adhesive films and foils including materials for qPCR and other fluorescence based applications.
• Domed or flat optical cap strips for all 96well plates.

 

4titude^®'s FrameStar^® PCR plates are a two-component design, combining the advantages of thin-walled tubes for optimum PCR results and a rigid skirt and deck for reliable precision handling.

For the tubes we use polypropylene which provides the most efficient heat transfer, as well as an inert surface with low binding capabilities for nucleic acids, proteins and other molecules. By using novel injection moulding technology the wall thickness has been reduced without compromising on tube integrity enabling 4titude^® to offer a superior product for fast PCR and small reaction volumes.

By moulding the plate frame in polycarbonate the mechanical stability of the plate has been greatly improved compared with traditional single piece products. Warping, shrinkage and thermal distortion are eliminated, providing a number of advantages:

• Reduced sample loss and enhanced PCR results due to improved seal integrity.
• Well spacing and position post PCR remain accurate so that liquid handling devices can reliably add or remove the smallest quantities from the plate.
• Robotic arms can consistently grip and move cycled FrameStar^® plates.
• FrameStar^® plates will not stick in PCR blocks after PCR or get jammed in the stacker of robotic instruments.
• Improved flatness reduces variation of fluorescent signals in optical assays such as qPCR.
• Better sealing properties make the plate ideal for assay miniaturisation.

FrameStar PCR plates are covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents or their foreign counterparts, owned by Eppendorf AG: US Patent Nos. 7,347,977 and 6,340,589

Improved Sealing

In addition FrameStar^® technology provides a much-improved level of seal integrity: During PCR, with either heat seals or adhesive seals, the excessive thermal expansion/contraction of standard one-piece polypropylene plates, can have a damaging effect on seal quality. This is especially evident around the edge of the plate where these forces are at their maximum resulting in significant sample evaporation from the outer wells. In contrast, the higher thermal stability of FrameStar^® plates results in a reliable seal in all areas of the plate during PCR and in cold storage down to minus 80°C.

Reduced Risk of Cross Contamination

Raised rims around each tube aid the prevention of cross contamination between samples.

Improved Grid Reference

For easier sample identification we now supply all microplate designs with a printed alphanumeric grid reference.

Minimal Plate Distortion Post PCR

Distortion tests have been performed with different PCR profiles using a variety of sealing materials. The results shown were obtained using the following protocol with 5 μl reaction volumes, plates sealed with adhesive sheets (4titude^® code 4ti-0500), in a Thermo Px2 Cycler: 1min 94ºC, 30x(30sec 94ºC, 30sec 55ºC, 30sec 72ºC), 5min 72ºC, holding step at 4ºC. Averages from measurements of 10 plate samples are shown. X- and Y- axis measurements were taken in the middle sections of the plate skirt. Warpage was measured as a maximum deviation from a flat plane:

Plate Type	X-axis	Y-axis	Warpage
FrameStar® 96, skirted	0.02mm	0.02mm	0.03mm
One Piece 96well PP Plate	1.18mm	1.69mm	1.8mm
FrameStar® 384	0.02mm	0.02mm	0.03mm
One Piece 384well PP Plate	1.22mm	1.82mm	2.2mm

Plate Compatibility

FrameStar^® plates are compatible with most PCR cyclers, real-time detection systems and sequencers. The plates have been successfully tested for reliable use on most automation platforms. Contact 4titude^® for further details.

Product Range

	FrameStar 384: This 384well plate is ideal for robotic use.
	FrameStar 480/384: This 384well plate is designed for the Roche LightCycler® 480.
	FrameStar 96 skirted: This 96well plate is recommended for robotics and low volume PCR.
	FrameStar 480/96 semi-skirted: This 96well plate is designed for the Roche LightCycler® 480.
	FrameStar FastPlate 96: This 96well PCR plate is recommended for ABi Fast Block cyclers.
	FrameStar 96 with upstand: This 96well PCR plate with upstand is designed to fit ABi thermal cyclers and sequencers.
	FrameStar 96 semi-skirted (cut corner A12): This 96well semi-skirted PCR plate has an A12 cut corner to fit ABi instruments.
	FrameStar 96 semi-skirted (cut corner H1): This 96well semi-skirted plate with cut corner H1 is designed for universal fit.
	FrameStar 96 non-skirted: This 96well non-skirted PCR plate has a standard profile and fits most thermal cyclers.
	FrameStar 96 non-skirted low profile: This 96well non-skirted PCR plate has a low profile design and is recommended for low volume PCR.