PCR 96-well plate mats?

[Jeswin]

A colleague wanted to use my PCR machine for a 96 well plate but did
not because she couldn't find a "mat" to place on top of the plate.

I never used a 96 well plate in the cycler before so I was a bit
confused about what she was talking about. It's not a sealing mat with
indentations. It's a flexible, "rubbery", "mat" with holes (96, I
guess) that's a few millimeter thick. Anyone know what it is?

She said it was for keeping to all tight but I don't think it was
necessary. The machine I use has a lid with different size settings
(round top tubes, flat, well plate).

So you guys use that thing and is it really needed?

Thanks

[Jeswin]

Actually, it looks like this and I think that's what she had:

http://www.bio-rad.com/en-us/sku/adr-3296-optical-compression-pad

Optical Compression Pad which is for qPCRs and I have no idea why you
would use that in a reguar PCR machine.

[Nathan McCorkle]

This explains a bit:
http://www.4ti.co.uk/pcr-consumables-and-accessories/pcr-accessories/optical-film-compression-pad/

basically it's a foam pad in case your multiwell tray isn't perfectly
flat, in case the clear adhesive film (which seals in moisture) starts
bubbling if you mess up when applying it.

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-Nathan

[Jeswin]

so do people use it for regular PCR or just qPCR? I have a heated lid
so I can't understand why someone would use it in a regular PCR block.

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