Thermal cycling by positioning relative to fixed-temperature heat source

Abstract

The thermal cycling system for performing a biological reaction at two or more different temperatures comprises: a) a heat source for setting at a fixed temperature; b) a reaction vessel containing material upon which the biological reaction is to be performed; c) mechanically-operable structure for altering the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that reaction vessel first achieves and maintains a desired first temperature in the reaction vessel for starting the carrying out of the biological reaction, and then for altering the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that the reaction vessel then achieves and maintains a second temperature for continuing the carrying out of the biological reaction on the biological material, and d) temperature-sensing structure operatively associated with the reaction vessel for controlling the altering of the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that the reaction vessel achieves and maintains the desired second temperature in the reaction vessel.