StepOne™: a compact, accessible and reliable real-time PCR system
The StepOne™ Real-Time PCR System from Thermo Fisher Scientific is a molecular biology instrument designed to meet the needs of low-throughput laboratories while ensuring flawless analysis quality. Its 48-well format makes it particularly suitable for environments where space is limited, without compromising on performance. Thanks to its user-friendly design, it can be used effectively by researchers of all levels, including those with little or no previous experience in real-time PCR.
One of the main advantages of StepOne™ is its embedded software, accessible via a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen. It offers intuitive navigation with setup wizards that guide the user step by step, from experiment planning to result analysis. Plate configurations can be modified even after the cycle has ended, and data can be exported in PowerPoint®, Excel®, or JPEG formats. The software also includes a gene expression analysis module that allows multiple plates to be imported into a single study, normalisation across multiple endogenous controls, and the application of efficiency corrections.
The system offers great flexibility of use: it can be operated in connected mode with a computer, in a network, or even completely autonomously thanks to a QuickStart function. It is also possible to activate real-time remote monitoring or receive results directly by email, facilitating rapid access to data even outside the laboratory.
The StepOne™ Peltier thermal block allows precise temperature control, with a temperature rise of up to 4.6°C/s. The temperature range extends from 4°C to 100°C with an accuracy of ±0.25°C, ensuring excellent reproducibility. The system is factory calibrated for optical and thermal accuracy and tested using the RNaseP verification plate to ensure reliable performance from the moment it is switched on.
The integrated optics are based on a long-life blue LED designed to operate for nearly ten years without replacement. The emitted signals are detected by photodiode via filters adapted to FAM™, VIC®/JOE™, SYBR® Green I and ROX™ dyes, ensuring high sensitivity for all common applications, whether absolute quantification, comparative Ct analysis (ΔΔCt), SNP genotyping or qualitative identification.
The StepOne™ is an accessible, robust and efficient solution for any organisation wishing to integrate real-time PCR into its protocols, whether for gene expression research, mutation analysis or targeted pathogen detection. It is also scalable, with the option to upgrade to the StepOnePlus™ model at a later date for higher throughput and greater flexibility.
