Benefits of FAST Real-Time PCR

1. I share an instrument with others at my institution or in my lab.
2. I want to process more samples on my current real-time PCR instrument.
3. I only have a standard cycling instrument. Could I realize any of the benefits from Fast master mixes?
4. I just want the best-performing real-time PCR reagents, instruments, and accessories…Fast or standard.
5. I want to be able to convert from standard to Fast qPCR without reoptimizing my assays.
6. I want to be able to convert from standard to Fast qPCR without having to worry about the stability of master mix affecting my results when I’m processing plates all day.
7. I do not want to pay more by adopting a Fast workflow.

1.   I share an instrument with others at my institution or in my lab.  
 
Many real-time PCR researchers face the challenge of scheduling conflicts on their current instruments. Under current standard cycling conditions, a typical run takes approximately 2 hours, limiting the number of researchers or runs on that instrument to only four per 8-hour day. Running your current real-time PCR instrument in Fast mode will triple the number of researchers or runs on that same instrument by reducing your run times from 120 minutes to as little as 40 minutes. This not only enables you to get your answers faster and process more samples during your allotted time, but also to repeat a run during your scheduled time if anything should go wrong.

If your lab does not currently have a Fast-enabled instrument, you can still double the throughput on your real-time PCR instrument by running your standard cycling conditions faster. With our newest Fast reagents, you can reduce your standard run time from 120 minutes to as little as 60 minutes.

2.   I want to process more samples on my current real-time PCR instrument.

Time Savings
Under current standard cycling conditions, a typical run takes approximately 2 hours, limiting the number of samples that can be processed to only four runs per 8-hour day. Running your current real-time PCR instrument in Fast mode will triple the number of runs on that same system by reducing your run times from 120 minutes to as little as 40 minutes.

Multiplexing
For an exponential increase in sample throughput, the new TaqMan® Fast Advanced Master Mix and TaqMan® Fast Virus 1-Step Master Mix” have been optimized for multiplexing. There is no need for you to sacrifice performance, as this mix has been designed to deliver accurate results for multiplex reactions (≥ 2 targets).

Benchtop Stability
Another important factor to consider when increasing the number of reactions or plates you run in a day is the stability of the master mix. TaqMan® Fast Advanced Master Mix has been engineered to retain its high level of performance in preassembled reactions for up to 72 hours. The stability of this mix provides users of high-throughput liquid handling systems the assurance that the results on the first plate will match those of the last plate.

3.  I only have a standard cycling instrument. Could I realize any of the benefits from Fast master mixes?

If your lab does not currently have a Fast-enabled system, you can still double the throughput on your real-time PCR instrument by running your standard cycling conditions faster. With our newest Fast reagents, you can reduce your standard run time from 120 minutes to as little as 60 minutes. The table below lists all of Applied Biosystems’ real-time PCR instruments and their respective thermal cycling protocols for faster run times.

4.  I just want the best-performing real-time PCR reagents, instruments, and accessories…Fast or standard.

You need great data to address your most pressing scientific questions, which means you cannot settle for less than optimal-performing reagents, assays, instruments, and accessories. At Life Technologies, we pioneered standard and Fast real-time PCR and have applied over 20 years of experience to bring you the best-performing products based on the latest advances in real-time PCR technology. Our newest additions to our real-time PCR portfolio will enable you to obtain superior data, in less than half the time.

Want to learn more about our newest products?

ViiA™ 7 Real-Time PCR System—the new ViiA™ 7 Real-Time PCR System is a 7th generation real-time PCR system that enables high-productivity qPCR through flexibility, performance, integrated TaqMan® Assay content, and the most advanced features available
TaqMan® Fast Advanced Master Mix—designed to deliver performance superior to standard master mixes in less than half the time
TaqMan® Fast Virus 1-Step Master Mix– reliable, high-sensitivity real-time RT-PCR even in the presence of common reaction inhibitors

5.   I want to be able to convert from standard to Fast qPCR without reoptimizing my assays. 

With this intent in mind, Life Technologies developed and validated all of our Fast master mixes and protocols to generate data from Fast runs that are equivalent to those generated with conventional run times. This provides our customers with a seamless transition from standard to Fast qPCR. This means you can transfer from standard to Fast, without any additional re-optimization, with any of our over 2 million TaqMan® gene expression, genotyping, CNV, and miRNA assays. This is a benefit you will not find with any other Fast master mix supplier.

6.  I want to be able to convert from standard to Fast qPCR without having to worry about the stability of master mix affecting my results when I’m processing plates all day.

TaqMan® Fast Advanced Master Mix, the newest addition to the Fast family, has been engineered to retain its high level of performance in preassembled reactions for up to 72 hours. The stability of this mix provides users of high-throughput liquid handling systems the assurance that the results on the first plate will match those of the last plate.

For those with less extreme throughput needs, the enhanced stability of this master mix provides an overall added convenience to your workflow, as you are no longer constrained to immediately running your plates upon assembly.

7.  I do not want to pay more by adopting a Fast workflow.

Fast reagents can be a more cost-effective solution than standard cycling reagents for your real-time PCR experiments. Today’s Fast cycling reagents have been optimized to deliver performance equal to or better than traditional PCR approaches, with smaller sample and reagent volumes. This allows you to use less reagents than you would under typical standard cycling conditions.

For those with budget constraints preventing them from purchasing a new instrument, Fast reagents allow you to reduce the bottleneck on your instrument and increase its daily throughput capabilities. When you convert to Fast reagents, you can use the equipment you currently have and increase the number of experiments you can process, creating tremendous value.

Additionally, the new TaqMan® Fast Advanced Master Mix and TaqMan® Fast Virus 1-Step Master Mix have been optimized for multiplexing, which provides additional savings on reagent, assay, and plastic products.