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PCR Optimization for 50-100 base transcript - How do I increase yield of small PCR product? (Oct/03/2005 )

Hello,

I'm trying to PCR 50 and 100 base size transcript. With my standard PCR protocol, I get the right size for both of my products, but the yield is very low. My protocol includes adding in 2ul of DNA template at 0.5ng/ul, 2ul each of both primers at 25uM, 2.5ul of Taq polymerase, 10x KCL buffer w/o MgCl2, 10ul, and 10mM dNTP mix at 2ul, and 2ul of 25mM MgCl2 (total reaction volume is brought up to 100ul with H2O).

My typical yield is about 2ug. How do I increase my yield w/o comprimising the quality?

Thank You.

-nanopower-

I am confused by your post, are you trying in vitro transcription or regular PCR or RT-PCR? Please elaborate.

-tap14-

QUOTE (tap14 @ Oct 3 2005, 03:38 PM)
I am confused by your post, are you trying in vitro transcription or regular PCR or RT-PCR? Please elaborate.


I'm doing just regular PCR, with a denaturing step, additional denaturing for 30seconds, annealing, and extension step at 35cycles, and at the end of 35 cycles, do an additional extension for 15minutes and then 4 degrees hold in thermocylcler.

-nanopower-

Dear Nanopower,

I think the low yield is due to tow factors:
1) low amount of starting material. You might thinking of increasing it. I usually use 20-50ng/ul.
2) You MgCl2 is too low. 2ul of 25mM MgCl2 in total 100ul is 0.5mM. increase at least up to 1.5mM.

Best regards

-Hadrian-

QUOTE (nanopower @ Oct 4 2005, 05:00 AM)
Hello,

I'm trying to PCR 50 and 100 base size transcript. With my standard PCR protocol, I get the right size for both of my products, but the yield is very low. My protocol includes adding in 2ul of DNA template at 0.5ng/ul, 2ul each of both primers at 25uM, 2.5ul of Taq polymerase, 10x KCL buffer w/o MgCl2, 10ul, and 10mM dNTP mix at 2ul, and 2ul of 25mM MgCl2 (total reaction volume is brought up to 100ul with H2O).

My typical yield is about 2ug. How do I increase my yield w/o comprimising the quality?

Thank You.


2ug of such a small fragment is pretty good considering that you have no free Mg in the reaction. You must be adding more than you say - maybe check the recipe or check that your Mg is really only 25mM.

-tiredkhan-