Avoid PCR Contamination

A How To Guide on How to Avoid PCR contamination.

PCR is a molecular biology technique which allows the production of more than 10 million copies of a target DNA sequence from only a few molecules of DNA. The sensitivity of PCR means that the sample used for PCR should not be contaminated with any other DNAs that may reside in the laboratory environment.

• DNA Sample Preparation such as Genomic DNA preparation or Mini-Prep should be done in an area far or at least separate from the area where PCR reaction mixes will be prepared.
• Laminar flow cabinet can be used and equipped with a UV lamp to prevent bacterial growth. This is the ultimate PCR reaction mixture work area.
• Fresh Gloves should be worn at all times when PCR is performed.
• Pipette tips with aerosol filters allow the prevention of microdroplets being injected into the PCR mixture, and thus prevent contamination of PCR reaction mixtures.
• Negative Controls should be performed, in which the reaction mixture does not have the DNA template. If bands are seen after PCR, they are either contaminants or primer dimers.

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