I'm new to real time PCR - which method should I use? (Mar/10/2005 )

I am designing my primers for real time PCR and I am investigating the best route to take. I checked out TaqMan...seems rather expensive but very user friendly...especially for new-b's like myself.

I may never talk my major professor into the idea of spending the money on TaqMan (since I'm the pioneer of the real time PCR in my lab) so I welcome any help in this area

Does anyone have any favorite cost conscience method they like to use? Is there anything less expensive that works similar to TaqMan? Or in the long run does using another method come out to cost about the same?

With Taqman, the primers are already optimised for your gene of interest. The low cost way is to use SYBR green and optimise primers yourself. If you can design RT-PCR primers spanning intron exon boundaries you are more likely to develop a workable assy than if you can not. SYBR green if optimised well will work just as well as Taqman. And I stress the "if optimised".

good luck with it!

Nick