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AAT Bioquest

What should I choose for my experiment, PCR or qPCR?

Posted June 19, 2024


Answer

One should choose PCR or qPCR based on the type of experiment being carried out. qPCR allows researchers to monitor the amplification of target DNA in real-time, providing continuous data on the progress of the reaction. In contrast, traditional PCR, while still effective for amplifying DNA, does not offer real-time monitoring. Thus, if an experiment requires researchers to monitor the amplification of target DNA in real time, qPCR should be used instead of standard PCR. Additionally, qPCR has a broader range of detection compared to traditional PCR. It can detect a wide range of DNA amounts, from just a single copy to billions of copies, all within a single experiment. Thus, if the experiment requires accurate quantification of target molecules or detection of low-abundance targets, qPCR is the better choice. qPCR is also faster than traditional PCR. 

Additional resources

Research Techniques Made Simple: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Real-Time PCR (qPCR)

Helixyte™ Green *20X Aqueous PCR Solution*

DNA Concentration Calculator