PCR Tube Strip

Quick Answer: A PCR tube strip is a row of thin-walled PCR tubes moulded together, most often eight in a row, closed by a matching strip of caps that is either hinged to the tubes or supplied separately. Strips sit in a thermal cycler block in the same positions as a 96-well plate.

Between Single Tubes and a Full Plate

Strips suit runs that are too large for a handful of single tubes but too small to justify a whole plate. Sixteen samples fit in two strips, and a multichannel pipette dispenses master mix into all eight tubes of a strip in one stroke, which cuts pipetting time and reduces the chance of skipping a tube.

The caps deserve the closest look. Domed caps seal tightly and are common for end-point PCR, while flat caps give an even optical surface and are the usual choice for qPCR instruments that read fluorescence through the cap. Cap strips may be hinged to each tube or pressed on as a separate strip after loading.

Because the tubes are joined by a thin web, a strip can be cut into shorter lengths with clean scissors when only three or four reactions are needed. For real-time runs, label the strip ends or tube sides rather than the cap tops.

Applications

• qPCR on a few samples in triplicate with no-template controls
• Diagnostic training exercises where each strip carries one student group’s samples
• Reverse transcription reactions ahead of a qPCR step
• Small genotyping runs that would leave most of a plate empty

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Press every cap down along the whole strip with a capping tool or a gloved finger to prevent evaporation.
• Keep strips in their bag until use and handle them by the ends, not the caps.
• Cut strips on a clean surface using scissors wiped with ethanol.
• Do not reuse strips after cycling; caps and walls deform with heating.

Why Choose LabEquip

Molecular biology teaching labs like strips because each group gets its own row and a multichannel pipette speeds loading. LabEquip stocks them in the Biology Lab Products range next to the full PCR plate; send your cycler model through the contact page if the cap style needs checking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I choose flat or domed caps?

Flat caps are preferred for qPCR because the instrument reads fluorescence through a smooth, even surface. Domed caps seal well and are easier to press on by hand, so they are common for standard end-point PCR.

Can I cut a strip into single tubes?

Yes, the connecting web can be cut with clean scissors to give shorter strips or single tubes. Cut carefully so tube walls are not nicked, and keep the matching caps with their tubes.

Do PCR strips fit every thermal cycler?

Strips of standard PCR tubes fit most 96-well cycler blocks. Some fast cyclers and instruments with special blocks need low-profile or instrument-specific tubes, so look up the tube profile in the cycler manual.

Why are my strip caps popping open during the run?

Caps usually lift when they were not pressed down evenly or when heated lid pressure is too low. Press every cap firmly and make sure the heated lid is closed and adjusted for tubes rather than plates.

Can PCR strips be used to store samples in a freezer?

Yes, sealed strips are often used to keep amplified products or primer aliquots frozen. Label the strip edge with a freezer-safe marker, since writing on caps can rub off.

How do strips reduce pipetting errors?

Loading master mix into eight connected tubes with a multichannel pipette means one stroke per strip instead of eight separate ones. Fewer strokes give fewer chances to skip or double-load a tube.

Last Updated: September 2026