The use of mastermixes that contain many components of PCR, including polymerase, dNTPs and buffer, reduce the run time and pipetting steps. A ‘super-mastermix’ that includes the mastermix along with the forward and reverse primers minimizes pipetting steps, requiring only one tip per sample. We recommend this streamlined approach for setting up PCR on the OT-2. Samples in PCR strips and 96-well PCR plates can be in a pre-cooled aluminum block. Reagents can be kept at 4ºC on the Temperature Module while running the protocol on the OT-2.

The OT-2 supports various labware for PCR. We recommend full skirted 96-well PCR plates for easy and secure placement on the deck. Due to the variety of dimensions across PCR plates we encourage users to find a labware definition that closely matches the labware you already have. In addition, several examples of PCR labware defined in our software are illustrated in Figure 1. Alternatively, the ‘labware.create’ command can be used to input the exact dimensions of your PCR plate. Refer to the Labware Library for more details about supported and custom labware on the OT-2.

The p10, p50 and p300 pipettes in single and multi-channel formats can accommodate total reaction volumes of PCR experiments from 10 to 200 μL. For more information on our pipettes and pipetting volumes as low as 1 μL refer to our OT-2 Pipette White Paper.