PCR Tubes for Reliable Thermal Cycling

PCR tubes are thin-wall polypropylene vessels designed for thermal cycling in end-point PCR, qPCR, and RT-PCR; available in 0.2 mL (standard block) and 0.1 mL (low-profile/fast block) formats as individual tubes, 8-strip tubes, or Corbett-style 4-strip tubes for Rotor-Gene instruments. Dome caps and flat optically clear caps are available for endpoint and real-time fluorescence detection, respectively.

MBP Inc. provides DNase/RNase-free PCR tubes for lab managers across the USA and Canada, with bulk case pricing and Quick Order for repeat procurement customerservice@mbpinc.net

PCR Tubes

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What Are PCR Tubes?

PCR tubes are single-use, thin-wall polypropylene reaction vessels engineered for rapid, uniform heat transfer between the thermal cycler block and the PCR reaction. Wall thickness is typically 0.25–0.35 mm — thinner than standard microcentrifuge tubes — allowing the cycler's heating/cooling ramp rates to reach the sample faster and with greater uniformity. Use 0.2 mL tubes for standard cyclers and 0.1 mL tubes for fast-block or Rotor-Gene instruments.

What you will find:

Individual PCR Tubes: Ideal for single-sample PCR workflows, offering reliable thermal performance and secure sample containment.
Corbett Style PCR Tubes: Designed for compatibility with Corbett® and Rotor-Gene® real-time PCR systems, ensuring precise fit and consistent results.
8 Strip PCR Tubes: Convenient strip format enables efficient processing of multiple PCR samples while maintaining uniform heat transfer.

How to Choose PCR Tubes

Block Format: Standard vs Fast (Low-Profile)
Standard 0.2 mL tubes are compatible with tall-block cyclers, including the Bio-Rad T100, Eppendorf Mastercycler EP, and Thermo Scientific SimpliAmp. Low-profile 0.1 mL tubes are required for fast-block instruments — Applied Biosystems StepOnePlus, Bio-Rad CFX96 Fast, and QIAGEN/Corbett Rotor-Gene — where the shallower well geometry accelerates thermal equilibration.

Strip vs Individual Tube Format
Individual tubes offer flexibility for small reaction sets and allow colour-coding by sample. 8-strip tubes speed up multichannel pipetting and reduce handling time when processing 8 or 16 samples per run. Corbett-style 4-strip tubes are the correct choice when running the QIAGEN Rotor-Gene instrument; standard 8-strip tubes do not fit its 72-well circular rotor.

Cap Style
Attached dome caps are sufficient for endpoint PCR. Attached flat caps or separately purchased optical caps are required for real-time qPCR fluorescence detection through the cap; dome caps attenuate fluorescence signal and should not be used with probe-based or SYBR-based qPCR when reading through the lid.

Purity and Certification
Specify tubes certified DNase-free, RNase-free, human DNA-free, and PCR inhibitor-free; independent lot-level testing is the quality standard. Tubes manufactured in cleanroom conditions (e.g., Class 100,000 equivalent) minimise particulate contamination risk.

Specifications Context

PCR tubes are manufactured from virgin polypropylene free of additives, dyes, and antistatic agents that could interfere with enzyme activity. Ultra-thin walls (0.25–0.35 mm) and transparent clarity facilitate visual inspection of the reaction volume. As of 2026, manufacturers including Axygen (Corning), SSI Bio, and Globe Scientific supply Corbett-compatible 4-strip formats widely distributed through North American channels. For tube rack accessories compatible with individual 0.2 mL and 0.5 mL tubes, see the PCR Tube Racks section within this category.

For selection guidance or availability, reach out to the MBP team and get the right PCR tube format for your workflow.

FAQ

PCR tubes are available primarily in 0.2 mL (standard block) and 0.1 mL (low-profile/fast block) formats; some older protocols use 0.5 mL tubes for specific gradient or modified block cyclers. The 0.2 mL size fits the majority of thermal cyclers on the market today.

8-strip tubes in 0.2 mL or 0.1 mL fit most standard and fast-block thermal cyclers, including Bio-Rad T100 and CFX96, Eppendorf Mastercycler, and Applied Biosystems Veriti and StepOnePlus. Corbett Rotor-Gene instruments require 4-strip tubes in the Corbett style and cannot use standard 8-strip formats.

PCR tube walls are typically 0.25–0.35 mm thick, compared to ~0.8–1.0 mm for standard microcentrifuge tubes. Thinner walls allow faster and more uniform heat transfer from the cycler block to the reaction, reducing ramp time and improving Ct reproducibility in qPCR.

Flat, optically clear caps (or optical films for plates) are required when fluorescence is detected through the cap during real-time qPCR. Standard dome caps scatter light and reduce signal intensity; use them only for end-point PCR where no optical detection through the tube lid is required.

8-strip tubes with a standard 9 mm inter-tube spacing are designed to accept 8-channel multichannel pipettes directly, making them compatible with Eppendorf, Thermo, and Rainin multichannel models for high-throughput reaction setup.

The QIAGEN/Corbett Rotor-Gene requires 0.1 mL tubes in a 4-strip format — the Corbett style — not standard 8-strip or individual 0.2 mL tubes. MBP stocks Corbett-compatible 4-strip tubes from Axygen and equivalent manufacturers, certified DNase/RNase/inhibitor-free.

PCR tubes with snap or attached caps can be used for short-term sample storage at –20°C or –80°C, but cryovials with external screw caps and O-ring seals are the recommended format for long-term cryogenic storage to prevent evaporation and cap failure below –50°C.

Look for independent lot-level certification confirming absence of DNase, RNase, human DNA, and PCR inhibitors. Cleanroom moulding (Class 100,000 equivalent) and virgin polypropylene feedstock are additional quality markers that indicate the manufacturer's contamination-control standard.

A standard unit of 8-strip PCR tubes typically contains 120 strips (960 individual reaction tubes). Corbett 4-strip packs are typically sold as 250 strips per unit (1,000 reactions). MBP offers case quantities; contact the team for bulk pricing.

MBP Inc. accepts purchase orders for PCR tubes and offers a Quick Order tool for recurring lab supplies. MBP is a registered vendor at leading research institutions including Vanderbilt University, which supports institutional PO processing for procurement teams.

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