The PR2100-C-25 is the entry pack of the Accuris qMAX cDNA Synthesis Kit family, a two-step cDNA synthesis kit (separate from the PR1100 One-Step RT-PCR kit which does cDNA synthesis + PCR in a single tube). The qMAX cDNA Synthesis Kit produces first-strand cDNA from RNA template as an intermediate product for downstream PCR / qPCR / microarray / NGS library construction. Per the Accuris Life Science Reagents Catalog, the kit ships as a 2-tube format: 1 tube of RTase (10 U/µL; potent RNase inhibitor included) + 1 tube of 5X buffer (oligo dT primers & random hexamers included).
Key Specifications
| SKU | PR2100-C-25 |
| Type | Two-step cDNA synthesis kit (cDNA → standalone product for downstream workflows) |
| Pack quantity | 25 reactions |
| Workflow | First-strand cDNA synthesis from RNA template |
| Kit contents | 1 tube of RTase (10 U/µL; potent RNase inhibitor included) + 1 tube of 5X buffer (oligo dT primers & random hexamers included) |
| Primer chemistry | Both oligo dT primers AND random hexamers included in the buffer (supports both polyA-tail-priming and random-priming workflows) |
| RNase inhibitor | Included in the RTase tube: protects RNA from nuclease degradation during the RT step |
| Per-reaction cost | $5.27 per reaction |
| Sister SKUs | PR2100-C-100 (100 reactions, $464), PR2100-C-250 (250 reactions, $1,100), PR2100-C-S (sample, 5 reactions, $20) |
| Sister kit (4-tube format with separate primer tubes) | PR2110-50 / -200 (qMAX First Strand cDNA Synthesis Flex Kit) |
| List price | $132 |
qMAX cDNA Synthesis Kit vs qMAX First Strand cDNA Flex Kit
The Accuris cDNA synthesis family includes two distinct kit formats:
| Feature | PR2100-C qMAX cDNA Synthesis Kit (this product family) | PR2110 qMAX First Strand cDNA Synthesis Flex Kit |
| Tube count | 2 tubes (RTase + buffer-with-primers) | 4 tubes (RTase + buffer + random hexamers + oligo dT; separate) |
| Primer chemistry | Both oligo dT + random hexamer mixed in buffer, operator cannot select | Operator-selectable. Pick oligo dT only OR random hexamer only OR both |
| RTase concentration | 10 U/µL | 200 U/µL (higher concentration for low-input RNA) |
| RNA input range | Standard | 10 pg – 2.0 µg (broader, supports low-input workflows) |
| Workflow flexibility | Routine cDNA synthesis | "Flex" (protocol-design flexibility) |
| Best fit | Routine cDNA synthesis for downstream RT-PCR / RT-qPCR / microarrays / NGS | Method-development; low-input RNA; protocol-flexibility workflows |
Pick the qMAX cDNA Synthesis Kit (PR2100-C) when: routine cDNA synthesis with both primer chemistries available is sufficient, typical academic-research and clinical-research workflows.
Pick the qMAX First Strand cDNA Flex Kit (PR2110) when: the workflow needs primer-chemistry selection (oligo dT vs random hexamer separately), low-input RNA support (10 pg lower bound), or method-development flexibility.
PR2100-C Pack-Size Family
| SKU | Reactions | List price | Per-reaction cost |
| PR2100-C-S | 5 (sample) | $20 | $4.05 |
| PR2100-C-25 (this product) | 25 | $132 | $5.27 |
| PR2100-C-100 | 100 | $464 | $4.64 |
| PR2100-C-250 | 250 | $1,100 | $4.40 |
Per-reaction economics curve. The 25-rxn entry pack carries a small per-reaction premium ($5.27/rxn) vs the 100-rxn ($4.64/rxn) and 250-rxn ($4.40/rxn) production-scale packs, pack-size economics favor higher-throughput labs.
Pick the 25-rxn pack when: workflow throughput is light or the lab is in evaluation phase beyond the sample.
Per Brochure Applications
Per Accuris Life Science Reagents Catalog, qMAX cDNA Synthesis Kit applications include:
- cDNA Library Generation. Starting material for NGS library construction
- Microarrays. CDNA template for microarray hybridization workflows
- Gene Expression Analysis. CDNA for downstream RT-PCR or RT-qPCR quantification
- 2-Step RT-PCR / RT-qPCR. Separate cDNA synthesis + PCR / qPCR workflow
Design Architecture: Two-Step vs One-Step RT-PCR
| Workflow | Tube count | Use case |
| Two-step (this kit + separate PCR / qPCR step) | cDNA tube + downstream PCR tube | Method-development; multiple downstream PCR / qPCR readouts from same cDNA; cDNA archival |
| One-step (PR1100 One-Step RT-PCR kit) | Single tube for cDNA + PCR | Routine endpoint RT-PCR; reduced contamination risk; faster workflow |
Pick two-step (PR2100-C kit) when: the downstream workflow runs multiple PCR / qPCR readouts from the same cDNA preparation (e.g., gene expression panel with multi-target qPCR), the cDNA needs archival for re-analysis, or method-development needs cDNA-step optimization independent of PCR-step optimization.
Pick one-step (PR1100 kit) when: the workflow is single-target endpoint RT-PCR with no need for cDNA archival.
Application Profile
cDNA template preparation for downstream qPCR panels. Labs running multi-target gene expression panels generate one cDNA prep that feeds multiple qPCR reactions (different target primers + qMAX Green or qMAX Probe master mix per target).
NGS library construction starting material. RNA-Seq library prep workflows starting from total RNA → cDNA → library construction.
Microarray template preparation. CDNA for downstream microarray hybridization.
Method-development workflows. Protocol-development workflows where cDNA-step optimization is independent of PCR-step optimization.
Educational laboratory cDNA exercises. Molecular-biology coursework introducing cDNA synthesis concepts.
Clinical-research gene expression workflows. Clinical-research labs running standardized gene expression panels.
Ordering & Configuration
Per-reaction workflow consumable. Each cDNA synthesis reaction consumes proportional reagent.
Storage. RT-reagent storage applies, typically -20 °C; RNase-free handling required.
Pair with RNA template + downstream PCR / qPCR reagents. The kit produces cDNA; operator supplies RNA template and downstream PCR / qPCR master mix (e.g., PR1001 family for PCR or PR2000 / PR2001 family for qPCR).
Confirm at quote: workflow throughput (drives 25/100/250 pack selection), 2-step vs 1-step decision (vs PR1100 One-Step RT-PCR), Flex Kit comparison (PR2110 for primer-chemistry flexibility), evaluation interest (PR2100-C-S sample at $20), and lead time.
Warranty: Per Accuris standard reagent terms. Confirm at quote.
Accuris PR2100-C qMAX cDNA Synthesis Kit family:
- PR2100-C-S: Sample, 5 reactions ($20)
- PR2100-C-25 (this product): 25 reactions ($132, $5.27/rxn)
- PR2100-C-100: 100 reactions ($464, $4.64/rxn)
- PR2100-C-250: 250 reactions ($1,100, $4.40/rxn)
Pick the 25-rxn entry pack for light-throughput cDNA synthesis; step to 100 / 250 packs for production scale or PR2110 First Strand Flex Kit for primer-chemistry flexibility.
