PCR & qPCR
Microfluidics for PCR & qPCR
Microfluidics shrinks PCR onto a chip. A small reaction volume has a small thermal mass, so it heats and cools quickly — which means faster thermal cycling than a conventional tube-based instrument. The same chips can integrate sample preparation, amplification and optical read-out, giving a compact path to quantitative PCR (qPCR). We manufacture these chips and cartridges in optically clear thermoplastics, from a first prototype through to volume production.
- Optical-grade COC & COP
- Fast thermal cycling
- Prototype to production
- 1 to 100,000+ units
Why microfluidics suits PCR
PCR repeatedly heats and cools a sample to denature, anneal and extend DNA. The speed of that cycle is limited by how fast you can change the temperature of the reaction. Microfluidics helps because miniaturised reaction chambers hold very little fluid: the small thermal mass heats and cools rapidly, so each cycle can be shorter. For qPCR the same chip carries the fluorescence read-out, where amplification is tracked in real time through an optically clear window, letting a single device handle sample preparation, amplification and detection.
PCR chip formats
- Chamber (static) PCR — the sample sits in a fixed micro-chamber that is cycled through the temperatures in place, the most direct analogue of a conventional reaction well.
- Continuous-flow PCR — the sample flows through fixed temperature zones laid out on the chip, so cycling happens as the fluid moves rather than by reheating one chamber.
- Droplet and digital partitioning — the sample is split into many tiny partitions that are amplified and counted individually; see digital PCR and the droplet microfluidics that underpins it.
What we make
- PCR and qPCR chips and cartridges with optically clear windows for fluorescence read-out.
- Sample-to-answer cartridges integrating extraction, amplification and detection in one device — the lab-on-a-chip approach used for point-of-care diagnostics.
- Digital PCR partitioning chips that divide a sample into large numbers of discrete reaction volumes.
Materials and detection
Fluorescence read-out needs a material that is optically clear and low in autofluorescence, so background signal does not swamp the dye. We work mainly in COC and COP, which combine good optical clarity with low autofluorescence, and we keep the wall over the reaction thin so heat transfers quickly during cycling. For a deeper look at how materials behave optically, see optical properties of microfluidic materials and our comparison of COC vs COP vs PMMA.
From prototype to production
We prototype quickly using 3D printing, CNC micromachining and PDMS casting so you can test the design early, then validate in the production material before scaling. For volume we move to injection moulding in a Class 7 cleanroom under ISO 13485, with sterile packaging where the application needs it. The route is described in our guide to going from prototype to scale, and the full list of services covers each step.
Get started
Tell us about your PCR or qPCR device and we will advise on format, material and manufacturing route. Upload a design for a quote, or book a call to talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
Do you make microfluidic chips for PCR?
Yes. We manufacture microfluidic chips and cartridges for PCR and qPCR, including chamber, continuous-flow and digital partitioning formats, from a single prototype through to volume production.
Why is microfluidic PCR faster?
A microfluidic reaction holds very little fluid, so it has a small thermal mass. Small thermal mass heats and cools quickly, which allows shorter thermal cycles than a conventional tube-based instrument.
What materials are used for PCR chips?
Optically clear, low-autofluorescence thermoplastics such as COC and COP are well suited to qPCR because they allow clean fluorescence read-out, and thin walls over the reaction help heat transfer during cycling.
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PCR & qPCR
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