Rapid test results are critical in certain clinical situations. For example, during surgery (in particular during organ transplantation operations) or when diagnosing infections like meningitis and sepsis. Rapid test results are also important in biopreparedness for detection of biohazardous agents like the anthrax bacteria. The AlphaHelix QuanTyper platform supports these applications, producing better results in a fraction of the time compared to conventional thermal cyclers (see Fast PCR). You will also get more done during your working day. Imagine carrying out four separate 40 cycle qPCR runs in one hour!

Inhibiting substances, in an often degraded sample, reduce sensitivity and may prohibit DNA-identification in areas like veterinary diagnostics, forensic DNA analysis, food pathogen detection and biosafety analyses. Regardless of extraction method, inhibitor concentration can be cut in at least half using AlphaHelix instruments (see Application note 1).

AlphaHelix’ platform for diagnostic qPCR and cycle sequencing enables more than just detection and quantification. Viruses like avian flu virus are “moving targets” for probe-based testing. Therefore, DNA-sequencing is preferred. QuanTyper™-48 runs cycle sequencing reactions as rapidly as qPCR. And, when linked to equipment for rapid capillary electrophoresis, genotyping using Sanger sequencing, for example, is possible within two hours (see Application note 2).