We had the pleasure of testing out the ToughMix Mastermix and the “Q” RT-PCR machine in Mbabane Swaziland in our Tuberculosis Centre of Excellence.” As it’s name implies, the ToughMix stood up to its name and made the 38 hour trip from Houston to Mbabane, Swaziland and had beautiful Ct curves. Similarly, the Q PCR machine was an ease to travel with as carry on luggage. It’s 25 minute run gave Ct curves identical to our existing, and much bulkier, RT-PCR machine that was already on site in Swaziland. Considering it’s size, intuitive software, and near perfect reproducible Ct curves, we’ve decided to add the Q as our workhorse RT-PCR machine.
Features & Benefits
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Ultra-Fast Data Acquisition | |
35 cycles in 25 minutes |
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Unrivaled Performance | |
Detect 2-fold expression level differences |
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Portable & Compact | |
4.5 lbs - transport without ever calibrating |
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Scalable & Wireless | |
Connect up to 10 instruments (48 samples/instrument) |
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Magnetic Induction Technology | |
Eliminate variability vs block-based cyclers |

Q is intended for molecular biology applications. This product is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a disease.
Description
Q uses a patented magnetic induction technology to rapidly heat samples coupled with fan forced air for cooling to acquire data in only 25 minutes. Available as a 4 channel model, the robust optical system acquires all channels simultaneously and allows for running the fastest multiplexed assays.
Q’s miniature speaker-size and 4.5 pound weight make it the most portable and versatile qPCR machine on the market without ever needing to calibrate. Q also provides scalability as each qPCR machine can process up to 48 samples per run and up to 10 Q’s can be connected to a single computer wirelessly via bluetooth enabling up to 480 samples to be processed simultaneously.
A key difference is that Q incorporates a unique spinning aluminum rotor providing superior temperature uniformity of
± 0.05°C versus traditional block-based real time thermal cyclers which rely on multiple peltier heating blocks that can create edge effects resulting in sample variation. Not only does the data give you superior reproducibility, repeatability but enables detection of 2-fold gene expression level differences as well as identification of difficult class IV SNP’s requiring melt temperature resolutions of 0.1°C.
Who wouldn’t want to take one for a spin?
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Ultra-Fast Data Acquisition |
Generate high quality data, fast!
Ultra-Fast Data Acquisition

Ultra-Fast Data Acquisition
5 point, 2x dilution series of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) cDNA templateStarting amount of 3E+06 copies (n = 4 each)Efficiency = 90% (standard curve method); R² = 0.99Time to complete run (including melt) = 26 min- Q’s speed is the fastest in the industry
- Don’t sacrifice on the performance quality of your qPCR
- Completing runs in as little as 25 minutes* is the new standard
*25 minute cycle times obtained with fast cycling master mixes and short amplicon assay designs targeting cDNA
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Unrivaled Performance |
Detect 2-fold Differences
Unrivaled Performance

Confidently detect small differences
1.2Manganese superoxide dismutase gene (MnSOD)Eight point, 2x dilution series of human genomic DNA (n = 4 each)Efficiency = 98% (standard curve method)R² = 1.00 1.3Five point dilution series of HBV plasmid cDNA template (n = 4 each)5 picogram difference between standardsEfficiency = 98% (standard curve method)R² = 0.99- Confidently detect small differences
- High thermal uniformity and reproducibility
- Detect differences within a single cycle
Wide Linear Dynamic Range
Wide Linear Dynamic Range

Wide Linear Dynamic Range
10 point, 10x dilution series of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) cDNA template Starting amount of 3E+09 copies (n = 3 each) over 10 logs Efficiency = 95% (standard curve method) R² = 0.99- Ultra-sensitive detection down to single digit copies of DNA
- Q performs reliably across a wide dynamic range
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Portable & Compact |
A qPCR cycler the size of a speaker!
Q is the most portable and compact cyler on the market occupying ¼ the size of current qPCR platforms. The small footprint is enabled by the unique rotary and magnetic induction technology.
Portable & Compact

A qPCR cycler the size of a speaker!
Don’t be fooled by its small size. Big things are happening inside.
- Fixed optics & no moving parts
- Never needs optical alignment or calibration
- No reference dyes or cross talk compensation required
- Utilizes proprietary 0.1 ml 4-strip tubes & caps
- supporting volumes of 5 – 30 μl
- High speed centrifugation ensures sample spin down
- Prevents evaporation & condensation with pre-loaded oil in tubes
- Fixed optics & no moving parts
- Never needs optical alignment or calibration
- No reference dyes or cross talk compensation required
- Utilizes proprietary 0.1 ml 4-strip tubes & caps supporting volumes of 5 – 30 μl
- High speed centrifugation ensures sample spin down
- Prevents evaporation & condensation with pre-loaded oil in tubes
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Scalable & Wireless |
Flexibility from 48 to 480 samples
Each Q cycler can process up to 48 samples per run and up to 10 cyclers can be connected to a single computer wirelessly to provide the desired scalability.
Scalable & Wireless

Flexibility from 48 to 480 samples
Each Q cycler can process up to 48 samples per run and up to 10 cyclers can be connected to a single computer wirelessly to provide the desired scalability.
Q’s advanced data analysis software makes combining a single data set from multiple runs from multiple cylers seamlessly simple.
High reproducibility from thermal and optical performance ensures data from different runs and cyclers look like it was generated on the same instrument and the same run.
Lastly, anyone can setup and run the Q as it is plug-and play right of the box.
- Combine single data sets from multiple runs from multiple cyclers
- Data from different runs and cyclers look a like
- Q is plug-and-play
Warranty Policy
Click Here for the Warranty Policy for Q qPCR Instruments
Q Redefines Run Times to 25 Minutes
Details
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Contents
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Related Resources
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Testimonials
Ordering Information
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Q - qPCR InstrumentQ 4-channel qPCR Instrument1 year extended warranty 4-channel Q Instrument
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Q Tubes & Caps (20 racks/box)20 racks of 48 tubes/box
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HRM License for Q qPCR Instrument1 HRM License