Patent ID: 8192992

Claim:
A computer-controlled method for performing an amplification procedure at an incubation temperature that is within a prescribed temperature range for performing a nucleic acid amplification procedure and within an instrument comprising temperature ramping station and an amplification incubator that is at a distinct location from the temperature ramping station, the method comprising the automated steps of: (a) providing a reaction receptacle containing a target nucleic acid to the temperature ramping station and retaining the reaction receptacle within the temperature ramping station for a predetermined length of time while subjecting the reaction receptacle and its contents to thermal energy to adjust the temperature of the contents of the reaction receptacle to approximate an incubation temperature that is within the prescribed temperature range for performing the nucleic acid amplification procedure; (b) removing the reaction receptacle from the temperature ramping station and placing the reaction receptacle into the amplification incubator which is at the incubation temperature when the reaction receptacle is placed therein; and (c) while the reaction receptacle is within the amplification incubator, subjecting the target nucleic acid to the nucleic acid amplification procedure.