Hardback: ISBN 978-1-904455-72-1 EAN 9781904455721
Discusses the strategies for effective controls and standards for PCR, when they should be employed and how to interpret. Optimization for efficiency, precision and sensitivity of PCR methodology. Essential guidance on how to troubleshoot inefficient reactions. Design and optimization techniques, use of appropriate controls, the significance of standard curves and the principles and strategies required for effective troubleshooting. Authors highlight the importance of sample preparation and quality, primer design, controlling inhibitors, avoiding amplicon and environmental contamination, optimizing reagent quality and concentration, and modifying the thermal cycling protocol for optimal sensitivity and specificity. The history of PCR, the choice of instrumentation, the applications of PCR in metagenomics, high resolution melting analysis, the MIQE guidelines, and PCR at the microliter scale. An essential book for anyone using PCR technology.