New TouchTools™ PCR Wizard aids automated PCR set-up 

Tecan has launched the TouchTools™ PCR Wizard, an easy-to-use Freedom EVOware® add-on offering straightforward automation of PCR reaction set­­up on Freedom EVO® platforms. This new tool simplifies the set-up of applications – including end-point, real-time and multiplex PCR, sequencing, genotyping and gene expression, as well as pathogen and mutagenesis detection – helping to reduce training time and costs.

The PCR Wizard’s effortless touchscreen operation and step-by-step instructions guide users through the set­­up process, allowing sample information to be entered manually, imported from a file or identified by barcode scanning. Users can quickly and easily optimise 96- and 384-well PCR plate layouts to meet specific workflow needs, using up to 96 master mixes and defining their own controls and dilution curves, with just a single set-up required for multiple PCR plates per run. To avoid the risk of transcription errors, data can be exported in formats ready for the most popular real-time cyclers from Bio-Rad and Life Technologies, and optional integrated sample tracking further increases process security. For maximum flexibility, the PCR Wizard can be used in conjunction with the Freedom EVOware Normalization Wizard, providing simple, user-oriented solutions for the entire genomics workflow.