RFQ_Real-time qPCR

Description

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UK's National Measurement Institute and is a world-leading centre of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate measurement standards, science, and technology available. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) requirement is for a qPCR instrument to measure specific DNA/RNA samples in PCR assays in a high throughput manner. The instrument will be part of an engineering biology platform and will analyse the presence of specific DNA or RNA samples from bacterial or cell free expression systems. These systems are cultured in high density and require analysis of multiple samples in a 384 well format. The instrument should be able to measure all the common fluorophores used in qPCR in a rapid manner and allow the analysis of duplex expression qPCR assays. The instrument should be able to measure a 384 well plate in a rapid manner to allow analysis over many cycle numbers, i.e. in a high throughput manner. At a later date will may need to integrate the instrument with liquid handling systems to prepare and load the plates in an automated manner. The instrument ideally will be adaptable so it can accept plates from standard automated platforms.