What are the differences between qPCR and ddPCR?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation
qPCR
ddPCR

Principle
qPCR measures PCR amplification as it happens
ddPCR measures the fraction of positive and negative duplicates to determine absolute copies

Sensitivity
Moderate: detection limit is from 1-10
High: detection limit as low as 1 in 2000

Methods of data collection
Targets with unknown quantity are compared to standard curve with known quantities 
PCR reaction is split into thousands of separate real-time PCR reactions before amplification, and data is only obtained at the end-point

Quantification type (Relative or absolute)
Both, but a standard curve with known absolute quantities of the target is necessary for absolute quantification
Absolute only, ddPCR gives an absolute count of target DNA copies per input sample (no standard curve necessary)

Time established
Established technology
Emerging technology

Basis of differentiation	qPCR	ddPCR
Principle	qPCR measures PCR amplification as it happens	ddPCR measures the fraction of positive and negative duplicates to determine absolute copies
Sensitivity	Moderate: detection limit is from 1-10	High: detection limit as low as 1 in 2000
Methods of data collection	Targets with unknown quantity are compared to standard curve with known quantities	PCR reaction is split into thousands of separate real-time PCR reactions before amplification, and data is only obtained at the end-point
Quantification type (Relative or absolute)	Both, but a standard curve with known absolute quantities of the target is necessary for absolute quantification	Absolute only, ddPCR gives an absolute count of target DNA copies per input sample (no standard curve necessary)
Time established	Established technology	Emerging technology

What are the differences between qPCR and ddPCR?

Posted September 26, 2022