Why are opaque white plates recommended for QPCR?
White plates enhance geometrical optics (taking full advantage of the reflective/refractive properties of light). All light is consistently reflected off the plate surface rather than passing through the polymer and causing inconsistent refraction patterns. As well, white plates eliminate cross-talk between wells. For these reasons, white plates consistently provide QPCR results with the lowest well-to-well variance and highest sensitivity. It should be noted, however, that natural plates are successfully used and will give good results.
