Posts tagged ‘PCR’
Factors Impacting Gene Expression Analysis
There are many factors that impact gene expression analysis. They include:
RNA Isolation
- RNA integrity, purity and yield
- Genomic DNA contamination
- Inhibitors of cDNA synthesis and qPCR
- RNase and DNase contamination
Reagents-Reverse Transcritption
- cDNA synthesis efficiency
- RNA protection
- Input RNA capacity
- Accurate representation of mRNA
- Detection sensitivity
- Assay specificity
- Inhibitors in sample
- Reproducibility of thermal cycling conditions and instrumental compatibility
PCR Plastic Consumables
- Instrument compatibility
- Optimum performance
- Automation friendly
- Potential source of contamination and inhibition
Fortunately, Bio-Rad Laboratories has solutions to help you overcome these issues. Such as their huge selection of reverse transcription tools (click to enlarge):
For more great information, download the Amplification Brochure from Bio-Rad Laboratories.
PCR Nostalgia
Remember the video that turned the coolest technique in molecular biology into a household name by receiving over 1 million hits on YouTube?
How about its sequel that received almost 500, 000 views?
Which was then followed by the official “behind the scenes” video:
Everything looks sexier in SideShare
If you’ve been following this site for a while, you are well aware that Bio-Rad Laboratories has developed a best-in-class expertise at standard and quantitative DNA amplification techiques. You are also probably aware that the Canadian Biotechnologist contains many great technical posts on DNA amplification techniques such as Applications of MIQE to Real Time Quantitative PCR and Fast qPCR assay optimization and validation techniques for HTS. However, one area that we don’t often touch upon is the muddy waters of amplification reagents and plastics. Why not you may ask? Well, quite frankly, it’s just not that sexy of a topic! Nonetheless, this too is an important part of your amplification experiments and you need to be aware of the many tools that are available to you.
In the slideshare below, you will find Bio-Rad’s amplification consumables guide which will take you from RNA isolation through reverse transcription and qPCR. Whatever your needs, it’s quite likely that you will find the answer in this slideshare. Why slideshare you may ask? Because slideshare makes anything look sexier! (Be sure to maximize the screen for easier reading).
Crime Stoppers British Columbia Style
According to Natural Resource Canada, there are 397.3 Million hectares of forest in Canada, which represents approximately 10% of the world’s forest cover and 30% of the world’s boreal forests. Since Canadian forests are an essential part of the global ecosystem, about 8% of Canada’s forest area are protected by legislation and 40% of its land base are subject to various degrees of protection.
Unfortunately, despite tough legislation, up to $20 Million is lost annually when timber is illegally taken from Crown land in British Columbia. In order to combat this thievery, Dr. Eleanor White, a biochemist at Natural Resources Canada, has been working on a tree-fingerprinting method which would enable law enforcement agencies to convict those responsible for BC’s tree theft. Click on the picture below to hear this uniquely Canadian story.
What the heck is digital PCR?
QuantaLife, which was recently acquired by Bio-Rad Laboratories, produces an innovative droplet digital PCR system that provides quantification of target molecules with unprecedented precision and sensitivity. In the videos that follow, QuantaLife’s VP of Application Development Dr. Serge Saxonov, introduces Droplet Digital™ PCR and explains various aspects of the technology.
