Finished and tested lightbulb pcr from bosslab- detailed build info included.

[Avery louie]

Hey All,

Remember lightbulb pcr?  Its not the best way of doing pcr, but it is cheap and the parts are easy to get.  One issue I had with referring people to the build or the idea of a lightbulb pcr was a lack of working builds.

In an effort to finish the project started at BOSSLAB, I brought the hardware home with me.  I changed the sensor to a nice (and cheap) i2c sensor, and wrote some code.

Using the 2x PCR mix generously donated by syd labs, I amplified some test DNA on the machine and ran it on one of my homebrew gel boxes (dox coming soon).  It worked!  Photo here with annotations of what lane is what.

Build details, including BOM, schematic, source code and comments

Usage guidelines and suggestions

Follow my blog if you want updates on upcoming DIYBIO equipment builds.  Things that are floating around in my mind right now to build: DNA quantifier/separator, a nice cheap peltier PCR, digital microfluidics...who knows?

--A