Appartus and method for performing automated amplification of nucleic acid sequences and assays using heating and cooling steps

Abstract From the Canadian patent

There is disclosed herein a machine for performing nucleic acid amplification under computer control. The machine utilizes any one of a number of heating and cooling systems under control of a host computer which directs the heating and cooling systems to heat and cool a reaction-chamber-containing heat exchanger at appropriate times in the process. The reaction chambers are pre-loaded with the nucleic acid(s) to be amplified, a thermostable enzyme to catalyze polymerization, specific oligonucleotide primers and four different, nucleotide triphosphates. Also disclosed is the process for the amplification chain reaction implemented by the machine which, utilizes a thermostable enzyme.