pcr amplification
Multiplex PCR primer compatibility
How to tell whether multiplex primer pairs share a window, avoid cross-dimers, and make sizes a gel can separate when the long product drops out.
8 October 2026 · 7 min read
Topic cluster
PCR and amplification
How endpoint PCR, qPCR and isothermal methods work, including primers, controls, contamination and how to read a result.
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26 articles
pcr amplification
PCR additives for GC-rich templates
Compare DMSO, betaine, and related additives for GC-rich PCR, including the primer Tm drop and the polymerase inhibition DMSO can cause.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read
pcr amplification
PCR controls and contamination control
How no-template, positive and inhibition controls decide whether a PCR band can be trusted, and how a shared bench keeps old amplicons out of the next setup.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read
pcr amplification
PCR in a teaching laboratory
Plan a teaching PCR on a short amplicon from a safe plasmid, with shared cyclers, one-way gloves and a record the demonstrator keeps.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read
pcr amplification
PCR tube sealing and evaporation
Define the seal, heated lid, plate film, volume loss and edge effects so a loose PCR cap is treated as a change in the reaction chemistry.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read
pcr amplification
Positive negative and no-template controls
Decide when a positive, a negative and a no-template control each earn a place, and when a clean blank still leaves sample lanes unread.
8 October 2026 · 7 min read
pcr amplification
Primer design for endpoint PCR
Choose an endpoint PCR primer pair by 3-prime match, dimer risk, and an amplicon a gel can separate from primer-dimer. Primer-BLAST is only a check.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read
pcr amplification
Questions to ask before a PCR reagent enquiry
Define template matrix, amplicon length, readout, hot-start, fidelity, inhibitors and the control plan before a PCR reagent enquiry.
8 October 2026 · 7 min read
pcr amplification
Reading an agarose gel after PCR
Use lane order, marker range, expected size, and the no-template control to decide whether a post-PCR agarose band is usable.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read
pcr amplification
Reverse transcription before PCR
Troubleshoot the reverse-transcription step before PCR: two enzymes, primer class, and a no-RT control for genomic DNA. This is not quantification.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read
pcr amplification
Smears and extra bands in PCR
Decide when a smeared or multi-band PCR lane still has a cuttable product, and when cycles, template, temperature, or magnesium call for a redesign.
8 October 2026 · 7 min read
pcr amplification
Thermal cycler checks after a power cut
Check whether a thermal cycler finished, restarted at cycle one, or lost its heated-lid set-point before you trust a precious plate.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read