Thermal control system and method for chemical and biochemical reactions

Abstract

A system (20) for a PCR reaction includes an array of reaction vessels mounted on a thermal mount (21). The thermal mount (21) is provided with a liquid path therein coupled to a cooling liquid input port (22), a heating liquid input port (23) and a liquid output port (24). A pump (38) is used to pump liquid from cooling liquid source (29) either along a cooling liquid path (28) to the cooling liquid input port (22), or via a heating liquid source (31), where the liquid is heated, and along a heating liquid path (30) to the heating liquid input port (23). A temperature sensor (34) measures the temperature of the thermal mount (21) and a processor (27) controls the pump, valves (26) at the input and output ports and valves (41-44) at either side of the pump (38), to control whether heating or cooling liquid is input to the thermal mount, and at what flow rate, in order to obtain the correct temperature of the thermal block (21).

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for thermal control of chemical and / or biochemical reactions such as but not limited to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Background technique [0002] Many chemical and biochemical reactions performed require highly precisely controlled temperature changes. Often, these reactions may require several or even many cycles of varying temperatures to produce the desired effect. [0003] A specific example of a reaction requiring a relatively large number of highly precisely controlled temperature change cycles is found in nucleic acid amplification techniques, particularly in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplification of DNA by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an important technique for molecular biology. PCR is a widely used and effective technique for detecting the presence of a specific nucleic acid in a sample, even when the relative amount of the target nucleic acid is very l...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0011] However, firstly because Peltier modules are not designed for precise, repeatable thermal cycling, Peltier modules offer several disadvantages when used for such thermal cycling

First, since the Peltier module itself is thermally conductive, power is lost through the device

Second, current reversal causes dopant migration through the semiconductor junction, which is asymmetrical, so that the semiconductor junction actually loses its function as a junction between different semiconductors over time

This system uses two storage tanks at the right temperature, but, again, the temperature of the equipment is limited to the temperature of the water in the storage tanks

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