Abstract: In a sample—reagent mix for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), forward primers are attached to superparamagnetic beads. During a part of a cycle of PCR, beads with bound amplicons are attracted to an electromagnet coil. Electrodeless, wireless detection of PCR and nucleic acid quantitation are achieved in real time by placing the beads in the ac electromagnetic field of the same, and/or another, coil and measuring, with one or both coils, cycle-by-cycle changes in the electrical conductivity and/or the complex permittivity of the aggregate of beads, amplicons, and the interspersed reaction mix. After the cycle's measurement is complete, the beads are redispersed within the reaction mix by coordinated action of the first coil and a third coil.