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What factors affect the specificity of PCR?
Posted March 22, 2022

Answer

Factors that affect the specificity of PCR include:

  • Length of the primer
  • Purity of the template DNA
  • Low concentrations of template DNA
  • Purity and sequence of the primer
  • Annealing temperature of the PCR reaction
  • Mg2+ concentration
  • Additives such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
  • Amounts of PCR inhibitors in the sample such as excessive proteins, SDS, phenol/ethanol, or hemoglobin
  • Inaccurate sample or reagent pipetting particularly when doing serial dilutions