On-line polymerase chain reaction (PCR) monitoring

In this short note, we present the results of a case study for monitoring t he whole polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process (all steps) with a glass f iber fluorometer that was described in a former publication. To utilize thi s fluorometer, which was originally constructed for a PCR machine with thre e thermostatting devices, a new thermostatting device has been developed: t he glass fiber matrix is integrated into the thermostatting device, while t he PCR samples are heated and cooled. The device is able to monitor all sam ples throughout all stages of PCR with the help of an intercalating dye. Th is approach also permits one to choose arbitrarily different cooling and he ating rates. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.