A Programmable $25 Thermal Cycler for PCR

Brian S. Blais, Bryant University
David F. Betsch, Bryant University

Document Type Article

Published by The American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education; Volume 31, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2003, Pages 113-114.

Abstract

This article describes the construction of a safe, programmable, automatic thermal cycler for PCR that can be easily constructed by persons with basic soldering and mechanical skills for under $25 in parts and a modest computer such as IBM 486, all of which are readily available. The cycler relies on the heating provided by an incandescent light bulb and cooling by simple convection.