Chronos, much more than a conventional thermal cycler, makes cutting-edge microbiological analyses accessible directly in the field. Designed for use in both production areas and laboratories, it enables rapid and accurate single-unit testing.
Chronos,
The fastest and most highly multiplexed RT-qPCR thermal cycler, designed to be deployed as close as possible to where it is needed.
Analysis speed
Its microfluidic core performs ultra-fast heat exchanges and ensures temperature increases and decreases in a matter of seconds. Thanks to this patented technology, Chronos delivers accurate results in 20 minutes, even on complex or weakly expressed targets.
High multiplexing
hcPCR technology multiplies the capacity of the four optical channels by exploiting optimized fluorescent signatures. Embedded AI analyzes the fluorescence images captured in real time at each amplification cycle to identify and quantify up to 12 microorganisms in a single analysis.
Simplified control
Test protocols are preconfigured based on the kits and sample type. Calibration curves are already integrated, eliminating the need for manual configuration to ensure reproducible conditions and completely reliable results, regardless of skill level.
Detailed results
The results are presented in the standard PCR format with amplification curves and CT values for users familiar with the technique. The data are also automatically converted into micrograms (µg) and colony-forming units (CFU/mL) to facilitate interpretation and monitoring.
Compact design
Chronos stands out for its compact design, tailored to unit throughput requirements. It is perfectly suited to local production sites or laboratories. No heavy installation is required. It fits on a workbench or desk and operates without complex infrastructure.
Connectivity
Chronos has built-in Wi-Fi Direct, allowing it to be easily controlled from a computer or tablet without the need for network infrastructure. Once connected to the Internet, it can also establish a secure connection with the Oenobiote teams to receive remote technical support.
Results designed to guide winemaking decisions
A choice of analysis focused on the active cells of microorganisms
To make microbiology a real decision-making tool, we have chosen to design our analyses with a primary focus on ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
rRNA is a fundamental component of the ribosome, the protein production factory in the cell. It is essential for metabolic activity: its presence means that the cell is not only alive, but also functionally active. Conversely, DNA, which is more stable, can persist for a long time even in a dead or dormant cell.
This methodological choice thus better reflects the actual dynamics of the microbiota: it distinguishes between microorganisms that are truly active and those that are simply present but inactive. This precision is essential for making the right winemaking decisions at the right time: anticipating an imbalance or deviation, preventing fermentation from stopping, or measuring the effect of a treatment.
Making scientific language understandable
In RT-qPCR analysis, results are generally expressed in the form of amplification curves and Ct (cycle threshold) values. The Ct indicates the point at which the detected fluorescence exceeds a defined threshold: the lower the value, the greater the quantity of microorganisms. These curves provide a dynamic and accurate reading of the molecular analysis.
But to make these results operational for oenologist users, Oenobiote goes further.
Conversion to units familiar to the field
We apply rigorous calibration protocols by correlation with Petri dishes (traditional microbiological cultures) to convert Ct values into directly interpretable units:
into UG (genomic units) of nucleic acids to determine the number of DNA or RNA molecules.
into CFU/mL (colony-forming units) to reflect
the estimated number of cells, comparable to a Petri dish measurement.
These two levels of reading provide results that can be directly used to guide oenological decisions.
A positive control is included in each test to ensure reliability
For each analysis performed, a systematic internal control is included: this is a control yeast or bacterium, added in very low concentration. This control is detected during amplification to ensure that the PCR has been performed correctly from a technical standpoint. This allows the quality of the analysis to be verified and negative results to be validated: if no signal is detected but the control has been amplified, this confirms that the sample is truly negative and that it is not a technical failure or a false negative. This control is designed so as not to interfere with the detection of the targeted microorganisms. When a target microorganism is present, its signal becomes predominant and naturally masks that of the control: thus, the control is eliminated without distorting the results, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and clear interpretation.
Revolutionary technology thanks to a decade of research and development and 29 patents filed
Fastgene
The speed of polymerase chain reactions is essential for modern molecular biology due to the urgent demand for rapid diagnostics in a wide range of applications. Increasing its speed allows molecular biology to remain agile and responsive to current and future challenges, making it essential for scientific progress and the well-being of society.
Fastgene is Chronos' thermal module. It includes a microfluidic heat exchanger coupled with two pressurized water reservoirs, enabling rapid temperature transitions.
This technology allows the reaction chamber temperature to be raised from 60 to 95°C in less than 2 seconds, significantly reducing the “temperature rise time” to an absolute minimum.
hcPCR
High-content PCR (hcPCR) improves PCR multiplexing by enabling the detection of an increased number of targets in a single polymerase chain reaction. This higher level of multiplexing allows for the identification of a greater number of targets of interest in a single experiment, significantly improving the efficiency of the analysis.
This approach facilitates comprehensive diagnostics, accelerates agricultural progress, supports environmental monitoring, and plays a crucial role in microbiota analysis.
Using a combination of distinct probe technologies and/or fluorophores in the same optical channel, our proprietary software algorithm demultiplexes two or more overlapping signals from PCR fluorescence data.
Unlike methods that rely on melting curves, such as high-resolution melting (HRM), hcPCR is capable of providing quantitative measurements for each target.
Technical specifications
Dimensions
W 360 x H 256 x D 271 mm
Weight
7 kg
Optical channels
4
Maximum temporal resolution
0.4 sec.
Temperatures:
- Ranges: 50 - 100 °C
- Change speeds (up to 90% of target point): < 3 sec.
- Setting resolution: ≤ 0.1 °C
- Stability: ≤ 0.5 °C
- Stabilization time (up to <0.6°C of target point): < 90 sec.
- Absolute accuracy: < 0.5 °C
