PCR has been around for more than 25 years. As bench space becomes more scarce, the demand for more miniaturized PCR systems has grown. Handheld and portable PCR systems, which were introduced to the market in the early 2000s, add a variety of applications not possible with benchtop PCR systems. In vitro diagnostics and point-of-care testing are two major applications. As the demand for diagnostic PCR applications grows, it is expected that portable and handheld PCR units will be installed at doctors’ offices for initial screening.

Portable PCR systems are also used for security applications. In particular, real-time PCR offers a popular alternative to traditional thermal cyclers, eliminating labor-intensive detection and quantification analyses. In the security sector, PCR is used exclusively to detect and identify biological threats. Portable and handheld PCR systems are also used for food and agricultural applications, primarily to detect foodborne pathogens.

While the benefits of portable and handheld PCR systems are system portability and space savings, there are drawbacks. Arguably, the biggest drawback is that the level and accuracy of detection with these units is not on par with benchtop systems. Therefore, these systems oftentimes are used for initial screening. Another drawback is operability. The majority of the systems are battery operated. While these systems can oftentimes be connected to external power sources, they are not designed for battery-operated all-day use.

There are only a handful of vendors that sell handheld and portable PCR systems. Idaho Technology is among the biggest vendors. The company’s systems are primarily geared toward security applications. The company manufactures the R.A.P.I.D. BioDetection System and RAZOR LT, which are battery operated and offer real-time PCR. The RAZOR LT weighs only 9 lb, compared with the R.A.P.I.D., which weighs about 50 lb. Security vendor Smiths Detection manufactures the Bio-Seeq Plus unit. Instead of integrating real-time PCR, the unit offers Smiths’ LATE (linear after the exponential PCR) technology to detect a variety of biological agents, including Anthrax, Tularemia and Plague. The Bio-Seeq Plus is a true handheld system, weighing only 3 kg (6.6 lb) (including battery pack).

In 2011, Ahram Biosciences introduced the Palm PCR system, which weighs only 350 g (0.8 lb) (including battery pack). Competing portable real-time PCR systems include InstantLab’s Hunter Accelerated system and Tetracore’s T-Core 4 instrument. Both systems weigh less than 10 kg (22 lb).

The market for portable and handheld PCR is small yet offers high growth potential. The recent increase in diagnostic and security applications are growth drivers. Furthermore, the accuracy and speed of such systems has improved over the years. With the integration of lab-on-a-chip technology, these systems are expected to gain more acceptance.

Portable and Handheld PCR

at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• Idaho Technology

• Smiths Detection

• Tetracore

Largest Markets

• Security

• Food

• Diagnostics

Instrument Cost

• $10,000–$150,000