How to become a PCR pro
Your complete guide to PCR
Stop struggling with PCR failures. Master polymerase chain reaction techniques with our comprehensive guide covering everything from basic PCR setup to advanced qPCR protocols. Whether you're setting up a new PCR lab or optimizing existing workflows, this expert resource will transform your PCR success rate.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a key life sciences technique. It has been used in molecular biology – including molecular diagnostics – for many years, and a number of different types, for example, RT-PCR, qPCR, vPCR and ddPCR have been developed over time. Today, PCR is a vital tool for the detection of pathogens, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and is essential for genotyping and NGS library preparation. However, PCR is well known for being difficult to run successfully and several parameters must be considered when planning the PCR protocol.
We have therefore compiled this eBook – consisting of in-depth educational articles, relevant app notes and customer testimonials – to help you understand how PCR works, and what needs to be considered to perform effective PCR reactions. We also demonstrate how our solutions can help you to enhance the throughput of your lab, and become a PCR pro in no time.
What's inside your free PCR eBook
Chapter 1: What you need to know about PCR
In this chapter, we will cover topics such as PCR’s fascinating history, its mechanism and different variations, and techniques for troubleshooting common issues you may encounter. We’ll also go through tips for establishing a PCR lab, as well as a comprehensive overview of all things related to qPCR and primer design.
- The complete guide to PCR
- Simple PCR tips that can make or break your success
- Setting up a PCR lab from scratch
- qPCR: How SYBR® Green and TaqMan® real-time PCR assays work
- How to design primers for PCR
Chapter 2: INTEGRA Bioscience's PCR solutions
PCR is a robust method, but it’s comprised of numerous stages, involving multiple precise pipetting steps that often prove time consuming and prone to errors. Temperature-sensitive reagents and samples may affect accuracy, and the varying viscosities of samples, as well as ‘sticky’ DNA, can be difficult to handle. On top of this, the repetitive nature of this work can also frequently result in user fatigue and handling mistakes. Fortunately, the right tools can eliminate your pipetting predicaments, vastly improving the reproducibility and productivity of your PCR workflows. In chapter 2, we will demonstrate how our range of liquid handling solutions are perfect for PCR applications, allowing you to create a faster and more efficient workflow with fewer errors.
Chapter 3: Application notes
Our pipetting instruments are used across a broad spectrum of life sciences applications. To help share this knowledge and experience of using INTEGRA products with the wider scientific community, we have developed an application database which contains a wide range of useful application notes. In chapter 3 are some of the most relevant app notes related to PCR protocols and workflows.
- Efficient and automated 384 well qPCR set-up with the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot
- Automated RT-PCR set-up for COVID-19 testing
- Increase your sample screening and genotyping assay throughput with the VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipette
- PCR product purification with QIAquick® 96 PCR Purification Kit and the VIAFLO 96 handheld electronic pipette
- PCR purification with Beckman Coulter AMPure XP magnetic beads and the VIAFLO 96
- PCR purification with Beckman Couter AMPure XP magnetic beads and the ASSIST PLUS
Chapter 4: Customer testimonials
Our range of innovative liquid handling products has helped countless laboratories to achieve PCR success, improve their throughput and further their ground-breaking research. But don’t just take our word for it! In chapter 4 are a few stories from our satisfied customers, demonstrating why INTEGRA Biosciences is the right choice for PCR pipetting solutions and labware.
- Matrix Diagnostics shares its experience with the EVOLVE and VIAFLO 96 pipettes
- The Saint-Geniez laboratory at Harvard Medical School shares its experience with VIAFLO pipettes
- The Microbiology and Molecular Pathology Department at SNP shares its experience with the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot
- The Virus- and Prion Validation Department at Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals shares its experience with the VIAFLO 96 pipette