Reagent Enhances PCR and RT-PCR Performance for Difficult Samples

A new reagent enhances polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR performance 5-fold or more by improving sensitivity and specificity during amplification of genomic DNA or RNA templates.

Dubbed PCRboost, the reagent greatly improves the amplification of difficult samples, enhancing the yield, specificity, and consistency of the final product. There are no changes needed to existing PCR and RT-PCR protocols--scientists simply replace the water in the reaction with PCRboost. Amplification is drastically improved for all samples, including trace samples (less than or equal to 1 ng), degraded samples, low copy transcripts, multiplexing--short tandem repeat (STR) analysis--and samples containing inhibitory factors.

"With PCRboost, I obtained at least a five-fold increase in the amplification of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded [FFPE] cervical cancer tissue samples compared to using water in a standard master mix,” said Mina Kalantari, Ph.D., from the University of California, Irvine (USA). "I start out with very small amounts of degraded DNA and then perform bi-sulfite modification for DNA methylation analysis, which leads to further degradation. Using PCRboost, I am now able to see bands that were invisible without it.”

Introduced by Biomatrica (San Diego, CA, USA), PCRboost is currently available in three formats: a trial kit containing 150-µl of PCRboost, a 1-ml tube, and a 10-ml bottle.

Biomatrica is a biostability company that provides innovative technologies for stabilizing, processing, storing, and shipping biologic samples at room temperature. The core technology is designed for use in preserving complex biological samples and assays and is based on the principles of anhydrobiosis ("life without water"), a natural mechanism that allows multicellular organisms to survive extreme environments. Biomatrica's current products stabilize DNA and RNA with no sample degradation, enabling labs to reduce their reliance on freezers and drastically reduce shipping costs.

The company also offers SampleWare software, an easy-to-use, customizable laboratory management database that provides scientists with the means to store and organize their sample data, and directly supports samples stabilized by Biomatrica technology.


Related Links:
University of California, Irvine
Biomatrica