Best proof-reading polymerase? - (Nov/06/2012 )

Since we already agreed elsewhere that best Taq polymerase is QIAGENs HotStarTaq (or actually their reaction buffer is) I'm now looking for comparably good easy-to-use proofreeding polymerase, that I would use on special occasions.

I heard repeatedly good things about Phusion from NEB. Since I want a master mix and hot-start version (preferably) I was looking at Phusion Hot Start Flex 2X Master Mix.

If you have other suggestions for good proof-read polymerase, please share them. Thanks.

I would just like to point out that master mix option and hot start version is definitely prefered (if not for anything for the fact we don't have separate PCR components anymore).

I Phusion

(I know you said other suggestions, but figured another vote for Phusion can't be a bad thing )

is there really a best one (as with Taq polymerase)? They work at all or even best for a specific PCR or not (after trial and error), and for an unproblematic PCR the cheapest is the best

I've had good times with KOD polymerase and Pwo. KOD especially has a very high processivity, which makes for fast PCRs.

hobglobin@
Well the best one is such, that has best sucess rate on all posible templates (but of course if I have a GC rich one or some other speciality I need to consider this) so I don't need to lose time with trying which one will work this time.
HSTaq is definitelly not cheapest, but it never failed me and I never lost much time in optimising (mostly I didn't lose any time at all, since it just worked the first time). I'm willing to pay for this, because more and more time becomes the most valuable thing

Try Sigma Aldrich Jump start Taq DNA

Mad researcher on Tue Nov 6 21:34:27 2012 said:

I'm affraid that from the fact that it's a Taq, it's not proof-reading.

I agree with leelee and another Phusion vote gets here; BTW, for the people who want their own Phusion: clone Pfu behind a single strand binding domain from a thermophile and then you get Phusion in your lab and it expresses like hell with a His tag in the classical way. From 1L, in one His column purification step you get enough for your entire institute forever and ever.

Andreea

Did I tell you before kind of I love your polymerase hacking?

Trof on Tue Nov 6 19:40:42 2012 said:

I used this Taq also a lot but with my last samples from a new insect species (amplifying microsatellite loci) it failed and now the cheap Bioline taq gives good and consistent results...
So as I'm working on several different species and have not just human samples and a known sequence, I've to try out and some polymerases work, some not. So for me it's often trial and error and there is no best.
Anyway we also should try out to make our own Phusion...