Using Preamplification To Maximize qPCR Data From Limited Samples

By Joshua Fenrich and James Flynn

Preamplification is a powerful technique that enables qPCR analysis for many targets from limited samples. However, it is frequently treated as a necessary evil as many fear that it may introduce bias into their experiments, leading to the generation of inaccurate results. Preamplification is also sometimes misunderstood as being a magic bullet to boost qPCR sensitivity. This article addresses these issues as well as others, so that you can be confident when using preamplification in your qPCR experiments.