Colony PCR: Another Use For Toothpicks
I still remember my JOY (sadly, yes) when I first learned about colony PCR. It allowed me to avoid a laborious procedure involving genomic DNA isolation, restriction digestion, and (the dreaded)...
View ArticleBuilding Blocks of Molecular Biology
Here is a stop-motion animation about PCR, something I threw together in my free time.
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PCR-Based Diagnosis Wins by a Mile In the White-Nose Syndrome Race
Affected bats in a cave in MA. Image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey.Since the first photograph of bats with white muzzles in Albany, NY, was published, hibernating bat populations in the...
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Troubleshooting T-Vector Cloning
Why do few of my pGEM®-T or pGEM®-T Easy Vector clones contain the PCR product of interest? There are several possible reasons why the PCR product may not be recovered after ligation, bacterial...
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PCR Protocols for Android
Over the years we have produced several articles and technical resources on PCR. One of the most widely used is a chapter on PCR in the Protocols and Applications guide, featuring an explanation of the...
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DNA Purification, Quantitation and Analysis Explained
Yesterday I listened in on the Webinar “Getting the Most Out of Your DNA Analysis from Purification to Downstream Assays”, presented by Eric Vincent–a Product Manager in the Promega Genomics group....
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Top Ten Tips for Successful PCR
We decided to revisit a popular blog from our Promega Connections past for those of you in the amplification world. Enjoy: Modify reaction buffer composition to adjust pH and salt concentration....
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Dealing with PCR Inhibitors
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized modern biology as a quick and easy way to generate amazing amounts of genomic data. However, when PCR doesn’t work, it can be frustrating. At...
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qPCR: The Very Basics
Real-Time (or quantitative, qPCR) monitors PCR amplification as it happens and allows you to measure starting material in your reaction. Data are presented graphically rather than as bands on a gel....
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T-Vector Cloning: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Blue/White colony screening helps you pick only the colonies that have your insert. Q: Can PCR products generated with GoTaq® DNA Polymerase be used to for T- vector cloning? A: Yes. GoTaq® DNA...
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Better, Faster, Cheaper: Measuring the Speed of Science
Are we better off now than we were 10 years ago? Often times this question is answered subjectively and will vary from person to person. We can empirically show how life expectancy has increased over...
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qPCR: The Very Basics
Real-Time (or quantitative, qPCR) monitors PCR amplification as it happens and allows you to measure starting material in your reaction. Data are presented graphically rather than as bands on a gel....
View ArticleClik here to view.
T-Vector Cloning: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Blue/White colony screening helps you pick only the colonies that have your insert. Q: Can PCR products generated with GoTaq® DNA Polymerase be used to for T- vector cloning? A: Yes. GoTaq® DNA...
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Better, Faster, Cheaper: Measuring the Speed of Science
Are we better off now than we were 10 years ago? Often times this question is answered subjectively and will vary from person to person. We can empirically show how life expectancy has increased over...
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How Do I Choose the Right GoTaq® Product to Suit My Needs for EndPoint PCR?
We offer a wide array of GoTaq® DNA Polymerases, Buffers and Master Mixes, so we frequently answer questions about which product would best suit a researcher’s needs. On the product web page, you can...
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Better NGS Size Selection
One of the most critical parts of a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflow is library preparation and nearly all NGS library preparation methods use some type of size-selective purification. This...
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Of Mice and Microbes: The Science Behind Food Analysis
In general, people like to know that their food is what the label says it is. It’s a real bummer to find out that beef lasagna you just ate was actually horsemeat. Plus, there are many religious,...
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Moving Towards Zero Hunger, One Genome at a Time
Farmer and a pile of cassava bulbs. Have you ever thought about plant viruses? Unless you’re a farmer or avid gardener, probably not. And yet, for many people the battle against agricultural viruses...
View ArticleA Quick Method for A Tailing PCR Products
Some thermostable DNA polymerases, including Taq, add a single nucleotide base extension to the 3′ end of amplified DNA fragments. These polymerases usually add an adenine, leaving an “A” overhang....
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Cloning Blunt-Ended DNA Fragments is Hard: pGEM®-T Vectors Can Make It Easier.
PCR amplification with a proofreading polymerase, like Pfu DNA polymerase, will leave you with a blunt end. However, another thermostable DNA polymerase, like Taq DNA Polymerase, adds a single...
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