3 ms·

Hey, since you're reading Josh, I have a question: isn't the harder part of this securing the chemicals / reagents / disposables / tools to actually perform PCR

by earl 16y ago

Hey, since you're reading Josh, I have a question: isn't the harder part of this securing the chemicals / reagents / disposables / tools to actually perform PCR? I thought you needed special (patent covered) reagents, 96/whatever well plates, seals, pipettes, etc. Sorry, I'm not trying to be disrespectful of your efforts, but it seems that even if I had a PCR machine, I'd still be a long way from doing PCR on anything interesting. In any case, best of luck. I used to work on software that controlled MJ Research thermocyclers and on a light sensing / real time pcr system software. It was kind of interesting, but the companies that build these devices move slowly and charge (in my mind) way too much money. This market is ripe for disruption. (I worked on a slightly bigger, since discontinued, version of this: http://www.bio-rad.com/prd/en/US/adirect/biorad?ts=1&cmd=BRCatgProductDetail&vertical=LSR&catID=dc07e873-5c02-4fd6-bd5e-1aad973eec08 http://www.bio-rad.com/prd/en/US/adirect/biorad?ts=1&cmd... ) There's actually a used one of the things I worked on for sale for $14K here. Oof. http://www.labx.com/v2/adsearch/detail3.cfm?adnumb=402318 http://www.labx.com/v2/adsearch/detail3.cfm?adnumb=402318 Also -- if you just want a plain thermocycler, here's one for $20 or so!!! (these things started at $10K new.) http://www.labx.com/v2/adsearch/detail3.cfm?adnumb=415429 http://www.labx.com/v2/adsearch/detail3.cfm?adnumb=415429

jperfetto 16y ago
The supplies and reagents you need are all readily available on the web. For basic supplies like pipettes and tubes, one of my favorite sources is http://www.bio-world.com http://www.bio-world.com . You'll also need a taq polymerase and primers - both of which tons of companies sell online, just search Google and look at the ads. Some companies will only ship these reagents to commercial addresses, but there's more than enough that will ship to residential. We'll try to get more info on the site in the days to come.
- tito 16y ago
  Hey Earl, MJ Research, cool! I've got one of their PCR machines in my trunk, all taken apart. We used it as inspiration when we were first starting, it's got some nice design features. Keep in touch, Tito
  - easp 16y ago
    I remember when MJ Research thermocyclers were the bargain option. That was nearly 20 years ago.

by earl 16y ago

jperfetto 16y ago

The supplies and reagents you need are all readily available on the web. For basic supplies like pipettes and tubes, one of my favorite sources is http://www.bio-world.com http://www.bio-world.com . You'll also need a taq polymerase and primers - both of which tons of companies sell online, just search Google and look at the ads. Some companies will only ship these reagents to commercial addresses, but there's more than enough that will ship to residential. We'll try to get more info on the site in the days to come.

tito 16y ago
Hey Earl, MJ Research, cool! I've got one of their PCR machines in my trunk, all taken apart. We used it as inspiration when we were first starting, it's got some nice design features. Keep in touch, Tito
- easp 16y ago
  I remember when MJ Research thermocyclers were the bargain option. That was nearly 20 years ago.