Скачать или смотреть The Strategic Choice: Transparent vs. White PCR Tubes in Quantitative PCR

In the realm of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), the color of the tube or plate—specifically, the choice between transparent and white/opaque materials—is not a matter of aesthetics but a critical optical consideration that directly impacts data quality. This choice is primarily dictated by the detection chemistry and the optical configuration of the qPCR instrument.

Transparent Tubes/Plates are the universal standard for assays utilizing hydrolysis probes (e.g., TaqMan®). In this chemistry, the probe emits fluorescence only upon cleavage, and the signal is collected vertically from above. Clear plastic allows for unimpeded, multidirectional light transmission, which is perfectly suitable for this top-reading detection. They are also essential for any applications requiring visual inspection of the sample, such as checking for bubbles or pipetting errors. However, their major drawback is signal crosstalk in multiplex assays. Transparent wells can allow fluorescence from adjacent wells to "leak" into the detector, potentially causing inaccurate readings, especially with weak signals or high target concentrations in neighboring wells.

White Tubes/Plates are engineered to address the limitations of transparent ones. Their opaque, matte white walls act as highly efficient reflectors. Instead of allowing light to scatter out of the well, the white surface reflects emitted fluorescence from the sample upward, toward the detector. This provides two significant advantages: First, it significantly increases the fluorescence signal intensity collected by the instrument, leading to improved sensitivity and a better signal-to-noise ratio. Second, and crucially, it virtually eliminates inter-well crosstalk by containing and reflecting light within each individual well. This makes white plates the strongly preferred choice for assays using DNA-binding dyes (e.g., SYBR® Green) and for multiplex qPCR (detecting multiple targets with different probes in a single well). The enhanced, isolated signal leads to more precise and reliable quantification.

Selection Guidelines:

Use Transparent Plates/Tubes when: Running simple, single-plex TaqMan® probe assays where crosstalk is less concerning, or when you must visually monitor samples. They are also the default for many standard protocols.

Use White Plates/Tubes when: Performing SYBR® Green assays, multiplex qPCR (with any chemistry), or any experiment where maximizing sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio is a priority. For low-abundance targets, the signal enhancement of a white plate can be decisive.

In conclusion, while both types are optically clear at the top for detection, the wall color serves a strategic purpose. Choose transparent for universal compatibility and visual checks, but opt for white to harness superior optical performance, heightened sensitivity, and absolute data integrity in complex or demanding qPCR applications. Always confirming the instrument manufacturer's recommendation for your specific model is the final, essential step.