Polypropylene PCR tubes and strip tubes are one of the most commonly used vessels for molecular biology applications.
PCR tubes and strip tubes are shaped with a conical bottom and available with sealing caps featuring a flat or domed lid.
This design allows for excellent heat exchange between the thermal cycler and sample to produce fast replication times and results.
Why is it so difficult to safely store PCR tubes in the freezer?
Because PCR tubes and PCR strip tubes are smaller than almost any other laboratory tube, typically 0.1mL or 0.2mL capacity, storage can be a challenge.
Small laboratory tubes are easier to misplace and more difficult to label as well.
Some scientists have taken to keeping their PCR tubes inside larger lab tubes, like 1.5mL micro centrifuge tubes!
When stored this way, standard sized freezer boxes made for microcentrifuge tubes can be used to store PCR tubes.
Are there any good freezer boxes for storing PCR tubes?
For a long time, scientists had very few good options for safely storing PCR tubes.
Typically, empty 200uL pipette tip racks would be repurposed for PCR tube storage. While PCR tubes do fit snugly inside these racks, they are vulnerable to being tipped over and samples lost when stored in a cavernous ULT freezer.
Customers of Stellar Scientific are familiar with our adorable Bitty Box for PCR tubes.
The trouble with the Bitty Box is there are no good options for upright freezer racks to store and organize them (there are racks for chest freezers that do).
Some customers have resorted to placing a Bitty Box inside a standard two-inch freezer box, similar to putting a PCR tube inside a 1.5mL tube.
While this does make them secure, it is a colossal waste of very valuable space.
This new freezer box holds almost 400 PCR tubes on two layers
Finally, there is a cardboard freezer box that safely and securely holds PCR tubes in standard sized two-inch freezer racks!
To access the lower tier tubes, simply grasp the handy tabs and lift the upper layer and set aside!
The Repli-case PCR tube storage box is covered with water resistant paper to increase longevity. The top surface is clean and can be marked with any permanent writing tool.
Repli-case PCR tube storage boxes are sold in packs of five at a surprisingly low price.
With an order of Repli-case PCR tube boxes, a lab can safely store and organize nearly two thousand samples at a time.
When it comes to PCR supplies and reagents, Stellar Scientific is your sole source for high-quality, time-saving and innovative products.