Single-step direct PCR amplification from solid tissues

摘要

Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) involves purification of template DNA before amplification (1). Not only is this costly and time consuming, but there is the ever present danger of cross contamination during the DNA isolation step, especially when handling large numbers of samples. Also, when conventional DNA purification methods are applied to small samples, for example clinical biopsies, there is a potential risk mat valuable samples could be lost during isolation. Such problems are minimized if DNA can be amplified directly from tissue. A previous report on direct PCR amplification from solid tissues was based on the use of formamide to lyse the cells and required pre-cycling prior to PCR amplification and lower PCR temperatures (2).