Thermo Fisher Scientific develops PCR buffer

Thermo Scientific’s new PCR buffer will reduce the number of pipetting and reagent handling steps in PCR operations, according to reports.

Its ReddyMix PCR Buffer has been produced with a special red tracker dye and precipitant in the reaction buffer, which means that laboratories will not have to use separate dyes when loading PCR products on to agarose gels.

This leads to cost and efficiency savings, states Laboratory Talk, with the new dyes also reducing contamination risks and enhancing testing reproducibility.

Furthermore, standard tests can be set up for screening and teaching purposes, allowing users to ensure results are consistent every time.

The news comes as Jim Manzi is named as non-executive chairman of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Mr Manzi will replace Paul M Meister in the role, who retired last month and has previously served as chairman, president and executive officer of Lotus Development until the company was acquired by IBM.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has annual revenues of $9 billion (£4.54 billion) and employs about 30,000 people.