Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has introduced the Applied Biosystems™ PowerFlex Thermal Cycler, a next-generation polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument designed to deliver enhanced flexibility, precise thermal performance and improved productivity for molecular biology laboratories. Building on the established Applied Biosystems instrument range, the system is intended to help laboratories run complex PCR workflows with greater confidence and efficiency.

PCR remains a foundational technique across life science research, applied testing and DNA identification. As laboratories are required to generate accurate results more quickly, often while sharing instruments across teams, demand has grown for thermal cyclers that combine performance, adaptability and ease of use within a single, reliable platform. The PowerFlex Thermal Cycler, which incorporates the company’s latest block technology, has been developed to address these needs.

“Today’s labs are being asked to run more complex PCR workflows, often across shared instruments and under increasing time pressure. That’s where traditional systems start to fall short,” said Pawan Singh, vice president and general manager, molecular biology, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “With the PowerFlex Thermal Cycler, we’ve reimagined flexibility and performance together so researchers don’t have to choose between speed, accuracy and ease of use. We’ve also added support for fully skirted plates to enable lab automation.”

Maria Lung, a research scientist at Xpress Genomics AB, commented: “We especially value the flexibility of running three independent experiments simultaneously, as well as the ability to set precise ramp rates in °C per second to optimize our protocols. The intuitive interface and the option to easily share log files provide additional confidence and support.”

Design and performance features

The PowerFlex Thermal Cycler is built to support fast, precise thermal performance, helping laboratories shorten run times while maintaining accuracy and reproducibility across routine and complex PCR workflows. A 10.1-inch touchscreen and user-friendly interface are intended to simplify protocol setup and instrument navigation, supported by built-in simulation capabilities and AI-assisted Smart Help features aimed at reducing training time and minimising workflow disruption.

Flexible configurations for varying throughput

The instrument is available in two configurations: a 96-well model offering broad plate compatibility for integration into existing laboratory environments, and a 3×32-well model featuring independently controlled VeriFlex™ blocks that allow different protocols to run simultaneously on a single instrument.

The PowerFlex Thermal Cycler is intended for applications across life science research, large academic and core laboratories, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, food and environmental testing, and human identification workflows.

Thermo Fisher Scientific notes that the PowerFlex Thermal Cycler is for research use only, not for use in diagnostic procedures.
For more information, visit: www.thermofisher.com/powerflex

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