Genomic fingerprints produced by PCR with consensus tRNA gene primers

Genomic fingerprints produced by PCR with consensus tRNA gene primers.

The polymerase chain reaction using only a single 'consensus' tRNA gene primer, or a pair of primers facing outward from tRNA genes, amplifies a set of DNA fragments in bacterial, plant and animal genomic DNAs. Presumably, these PCR fingerprints are mainly derived from the regions between closely linked tRNA genes. The pattern of the PCR products is determined by which genomes and which primer(...

PCR with arbitrary primers

Identification of N2-fixing plant- and fungus-associated Azoarcus species by PCR-based genomic fingerprints.

Most species of the diazotrophic Proteobacteria Azoarcus spp. occur in association with grass roots, while A. tolulyticus and A. evansii are soil bacteria not associated with a plant host. To facilitate species identification and strain comparison, we developed a protocol for PCR-generated genomic fingerprints, using an automated sequencer for fragment analysis. Commonly used primers targeted t...

Designing PCR Primers Painlessly†

Improved PCR specificity with Hot Start PCR primers.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an indispensable DNA amplification technique that has been exploited in numerous areas, including molecular diagnostics. One major drawback of PCR is the competing amplification of undesired off-target products, which primarily occurs at ambient temperatures prior to PCR cycling (1). Hot Start PCR techniques aim to block the extension of primers in nonspec...