Bio-Rad iQ™5 Optical System Software, Version 2.1 - Manual (Page 42)

Section 4 Workshop Module
- 33 -
The Protocol Editor may only be exited by clicking Save & Exit Protocol Editing or Cancel &
Exit Protocol Editing.
4.3.3 Add Protocol Options
If you want to add any protocol options, first enable them by clicking in the check box next to its
description in the Show Options box. The Protocol Options include:
•
Gradient (see section 4.3.4 for details)
• Infinite Hold
•
Ramping
• Temperature Change
•
Time Change
• Cycle Description
•
Step Process
Infinite Hold
When a cycle is not repeated, you can specify the dwell time at any step in that cycle as infinite
by using the Infinite Hold option. This means that the instrument will maintain the specified
temperature until execution is interrupted. When an infinite dwell time is programmed within a
protocol at some step other than the last step, the instrument will go into Pause mode when it
reaches that step and will hold that setpoint temperature until the Continue Running Protocol
button in the Thermal Cycler tab of the Run-Time Central module is selected.
To program an infinite hold:
1. Click Infinite Hold in the Show Options box. A new column titled Hold appears in the
spreadsheet.
2. Select the Hold checkbox for the step that you want to maintain at a constant
temperature and enter the desired temperature in the Setpoint cell of the spreadsheet.
Ramping
The ramp rate is the speed with which the iCycler thermal cycler changes temperatures between
the steps of a cycle, or between cycles. The default condition is for the iCycler thermal cycler to
adjust temperatures at the maximum ramp rate. The iCycler thermal cycler allows you to change
temperatures at a fixed rate less than the maximum.
Ramp rates are adjustable to 0.1°C/second and must fall within the range of 0.1 to 3.3°C per
second for heating and 0.1 to 2.0°C per second for cooling. Invalid ramp rate entries are
adjusted to the nearest valid entry.
To adjust the ramp rate:
Click Ramping in the Show Options box. A new column titled Ramp Rate will appear in the
spreadsheet.
Double-click in the Ramp Rate column on the line of the spreadsheet containing the temperature
toward which you wish to control the ramp rate. Use the pull-down menu to select MIN or MAX
or make a direct entry into the field. If an invalid ramp rates is input, it is adjusted to the nearest
valid ramp rate automatically.