The History and Basics Of PCR Tubes

The invention of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique by Kary Mullis in 1983 marked a turning point in the field of molecular biology. It enabled scientists to amplify DNA within hours, paving the way for breakthroughs in medical diagnostics, genetics, pathogen detection, and forensics.

Every PCR experiment requires a small, yet vital, PCR tube. Made of virgin polypropylene (PP) plastic, PCR tubes have ultra-thin walls for efficient thermal energy transfer. They feature tight fitting caps to reduce the chances of liquid evaporation.

JSHD's latest catalog features a series of PCR Tubes (HP4061, HP4062, HP4063, HP4064) marked as universally compatible with thermal cyclers. In addition, these tubes are RNase-free, and DNase-free, autoclavable and precision engineered with sealing lids, making them reliable for both clinical and research settings.

PCR tubes 0.2ml and 0.5ml flat cap and domed cap series.png

Features Of PCR Tubes

Code No.	Volume	Cap Type	Wall Type	Key Features
HP4061	0.2 ml	Flat cap	Thin wall	Best for quick thermal cycling
HP4062	0.2 ml	Domed cap	Standard	Better for uniform amplification
HP4063	0.5 ml	Flat cap	Standard	Suitable for larger reaction volumes
HP4064	0.2 ml	Flat cap	Standard	Most adaptable and popular design

Best Practices Of PCR Tubes

● Be gentle to avoid inner wall scratches.

● Use micropipettes for the exact transfer of liquids.

● Ensure caps are completely secured to minimize evaporation.

● If necessary, autoclave after use. This material can endure multiple high-temperature cycles.

Industry Case Study From the Research Bench to the Clinic

A PhD student on a rare genetic disorder project had to perform hundreds of PCR reactions a day. At first, she struggled with consistent PCR Ct values and blamed the tubes she was using. Switching to JSHD thin-wall PCR tubes solved the issues with evaporation. The uniform temperature to volume ratio of the thin-wall PCR tubes and low evaporation rates improved the results.

Months later, her findings aided her thesis defense and also bolstered the creation of a diagnostic assay for clinical applications. In her words, the PCR tube was an invisible hero to her breakthroughs enabling scientific discovery.

The same can be said for the hospital nucleic acid testing labs where thousands of PCR tubes are consumed each day during high-throughput diagnostics from COVID19 to mutation screening for cancer. The precision of these tests are directly tied to the quality of the tubes.

Researcher working with PCR tubes in a molecular biology laboratory.png