Detection of plasma circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) requires the use of extremely sensitive and precise methods. The commonly used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) poses certain technical limitations in relation to the precise measurement of CNAs whereas the costs of massively parallel sequencing are still relatively high. Digital PCR (dPCR) now represents an affordable a...

In light of the strict legal scrutiny surrounding DNA typing at this time, it has become necessary to systematically address the issue of PCR contamination. To precisely define the parameters affecting PCR contamination under casework analysis conditions, PCR amplification reactions were intentionally compromised by employing sub-standard laboratory technique and by introducing secondary source...

After discovery of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by Dr. Kary Mullis in 1983, several different types of PCR have been invented and continually improved upon over the years. One of them called "Real-time PCR" or “fluorescence based PCR” allows us to quantitate nucleic acids obtained from cells or tissues, to compare the variable states of infection, to detect chromosomal translocations, to gen...

The present studies demonstrate a theoretical and practical framework for the accurate quantitation of gene expression in RNA extracted from microscopic tissue samples. The approaches are developed around competitive RT-PCR techniques. Assay performance has been examined and validated at both the RT and PCR steps. Our analysis of RT transcription efficiency for a number of native and competitor...

We have developed a highly sensitive method for DNA analysis on 3D gel element microarrays, a technique we call multiplex microarray-enhanced PCR (MME-PCR). Two amplification strategies are carried out simultaneously in the reaction chamber: on or within gel elements, and in bulk solution over the gel element array. MME-PCR is initiated by multiple complex primers containing gene-specific, forw...

We have developed a fully integrated multichannel polymerase chain reaction-capillary electrophoresis (PCR-CE) microdevice with nanoliter reactor volumes for highly parallel genetic analyses. Resistance temperature detectors and heaters made out of Ti/Pt are integrated on the microchip using a scalable radial design to provide precise temperature control of the four parallel PCR-CE reactor syst...