Life Technologies this week introduced the QuantStudio 7 Flex and QuantStudio 6 Flex real-time PCR systems.
The QuantStudio 7 Flex features four interchangeable blocks for experiments requiring either 96-well standard, 96-well fast, or 384-well plates; or a TaqMan Array Card. The instrument is ideal for maximum multiplexing applications with support for six dyes and 21 filter capabilities.
The QuantStudio 6 Flex is an entry-level platform that is competitively priced to enable customers to buy into the product line's high performance and flexibility, Life Tech said. It is designed for use with three interchangeable blocks (96-well standard, 96-well fast, or 384-well plates) to fit mid-level throughput needs. As performance requirements increase with larger studies, the instrument can be upgraded to a QuantStudio 7 Flex with the purchase of a kit.
The new platforms mark the fourth and fifth QuantStudio systems introduced by Life Technologies within the last year and a half. Life Tech first launched the QuantStudio 12k Flex system in 2011 (PCR Insider, 10/13/2011). The QuantStudio Dx platform launched in Europe later that year and received US Food and Drug Administration clearance for use with Quidel's Clostridium difficile assay in March of this year (PCR Insider, 3/21/2013). Most recently, the company began shipments of the QuantStudio 3D Digital PCR System in June (PCR Insider, 6/13/2013).
All of the QuantStudio systems are for research use only except the QuantStudio Dx.