Spring 11:QRT-PCR

Looking for weekly reports?

To-Do

• research what to order for heated lid
• fine-tune Steinhart Hart equation using Real Value of R1. also converting to Celsius.

Weekly goals

• 3/25: Optics finished. Code started.
• 4/1: Heated lid finished.
• 4/8: Updated heat transfer function. Successful PCR.
• 4/15: QRT-PCR code finished.
• 4/22: Setup is ready for QRT-PCR. (i.e., the mechanical setup works)
• 4/29: Successful QRT-PCR from the side.
• 5/6: QRT-PCR from the top. Now which one was better?

Heated Lid research notes

OpenPCR first used nichrome wire and silicone tape sandwiched between two plates of aluminum...but it didn't work too well. They said it "smoked and burned out." However, they were designing for 16 samples, not just one (so we won't need to use as much wire). Also, we're not planning on using silicone tape. I still think it's worth trying.

Then they used a peltier device with an aluminum plate + thermal pad.

Another option: using a PCB. Instructions here.

Progress Notes

3/20/11

Based on model system (blue LED + ND filter), I don't think gain is high enough. Increased gain of transimpedance amp from 2.5e4 to 2.5e5. Well, it didn't help that much. So it's back the way it was. In any case, we get a significant signal (~0.25 units amplitude) with the model system. Huzzah!

After much wrestling with simple math, the temperature sensing is largely working! yay

3/18/11

Optical setup appears to be working.

3/16/11

Added dichroic mirror.

Question: how can I verify the optical setup? it seems to respond to driving signal, not fluorescence.

TODO: put away 25mm lens