Is LAMP the same as PCR?

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Accepted Answer

No, Lamp (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) is not the same as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Although they are both DNA amplification techniques, there are several differences between the two. We’ve highlighted the differences between LAMP and PCR below:

Basis of Differentiation
LAMP
PCR

Temperature requirements
Is an isothermal process, reaction occurs over a single consistent temperature of 60°C to 65°C throughout
Requires numerous cycles of heating and cooling - reaction occurs over varying temperatures

Number of primers used
Uses 4 to 6 primers to recognize 6 to 8 distinct regions
Uses two primers to recognize 2 regions

Reaction time
Rapid reaction, takes less than thirty minutes
Slow reactions, typically takes over one hour

Sensitivity to sample matrix inhibitors
More tolerant towards sample matrix inhibitors
Highly sensitive to sample matrix inhibitors

Visual detection
Amenable to visual detection based on certain factors such as turbidity among others
Not amenable to visual detection

Typical yield
Approx. 10 mg – 20 mg
Approx. 0.2 mg

Equipment needed
Equipment is simpler
Equipment is more complex to accommodate the recurring heating and cooling cycles

Basis of Differentiation	LAMP	PCR
Temperature requirements	Is an isothermal process, reaction occurs over a single consistent temperature of 60°C to 65°C throughout	Requires numerous cycles of heating and cooling - reaction occurs over varying temperatures
Number of primers used	Uses 4 to 6 primers to recognize 6 to 8 distinct regions	Uses two primers to recognize 2 regions
Reaction time	Rapid reaction, takes less than thirty minutes	Slow reactions, typically takes over one hour
Sensitivity to sample matrix inhibitors	More tolerant towards sample matrix inhibitors	Highly sensitive to sample matrix inhibitors
Visual detection	Amenable to visual detection based on certain factors such as turbidity among others	Not amenable to visual detection
Typical yield	Approx. 10 mg – 20 mg	Approx. 0.2 mg
Equipment needed	Equipment is simpler	Equipment is more complex to accommodate the recurring heating and cooling cycles

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