Molecular Biology Blog
Molecular Biology news and views for research scientists and advanced students. Keep up-to-date on current research, forthcoming conferences, hot research topics, high impact publications, and much more.
The Extraction and Purification of Nucleic Acids for Analysis by PCR
from Chaminda Salgado and Waqar Hussain writing in Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications:
Myriad methods for the extraction and purification of nucleic acids prior to PCR are currently used throughout the community. While these methods have many unique and bespoke aspects, they broadly follow a sequence of lysis, isolation, washing and elution to get from a complex biological sample to purified nucleic acid that can be used in a PCR reaction. Various common methods available for each stage are described and potential sequences for particular sample types can be discerned. The potential for these methods to be automated are discussed and the process options summarized with respect to the speed of the methods, technical skill required and the resultant purity and yield that can be expected.
Further reading: Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications
Omics in Soil Science
This volume presents the state-of-the-art of omic applications in soil science, a field that is advancing rapidly on many fronts. Distinguished authors describe the application of metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and proteomics to soil science. In particular the book covers the current and emerging omics techniques and the contribution of these approaches to a better assessment of soil functionality. The authors also explore the specific problems encountered in the application of various omics technologies to soil science and the future research requirements necessary to overcome the current limitations in this area. Topics covered include soil functional genomics, soil metagenomics, soil microbial ecology, soil metatranscriptomics, soil proteomics, soil volatilomics and soil proteogenomics. Omics techniques are also discussed in comparison with classical techniques. This book is both a practical guide and a recommended reference volume for all soil scientists read more ...
 | Edited by: Paolo Nannipieri, Giacomo Pietramellara and Giancarlo Renella read more ...ISBN: 978-1-908230-32-4 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: March 2014 Cover: hardback |
Applications in Clinical Microbiology
from Andrew D. Sails writing in Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications:
The introduction of real-time PCR technology to diagnostic clinical microbiology laboratories has led to significant improvements in the diagnosis of infectious disease. It has been particularly useful to detect slow growing or difficult to grow infectious agents therefore much of its initial impact was in diagnostic virology. However, in more recent years real-time PCR-based methods have been introduced in diagnostic bacteriology, mycology and parasitology and there are few areas of clinical microbiology which remain unaffected by real-time PCR methodologies. One area where it has had great impact is its use for quantitation of viral pathogens. The ability to monitor the PCR reaction in real-time allows accurate quantitation of target sequence over at least six orders of magnitude. In addition, the closed-tube format removes the need for post-amplification manipulation of the PCR products also reducing the likelihood of amplicon carryover to subsequent reactions reducing the risk of false-positives. The inherent sensitivity of real-time PCR means that contamination between samples and from previously amplified product can lead to false positive results. Therefore diagnostic labs utilising real-time PCR methods have to strictly adhere to good laboratory practice to reduce the likelihood of cross contamination. In addition individual laboratories must ensure quality of diagnostic testing by participating in external quality assurance schemes.
Further reading: Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications
Real-Time PCR book available very soon
 | Edited by: Nick A. Saunders and Martin A. Lee ISBN: 978-1-908230-22-5 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: July 2013 Cover: hardback |
Veterinary Applications of Real-time PCR for Detection and Diagnosis of Infectious Agents
from Alan McNally writing in Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications:
The detection and diagnosis of veterinary infectious diseases is an area in which the potential of Real-time PCR has been best demonstrated. In particular Real-time PCR has been successfully applied as a front line tool in the diagnostic algorithm for notifiable veterinary viral pathogens such as Avian Influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, bluetongue virus, as well as rabies and Newcastle disease virus. The rapidly transmissible nature of these agents necessitates near real-time detection and diagnosis in suspected infected animals to allow implementation of control procedures. This chapter will highlight the importance of Real-time PCR in facilitating this rapid diagnosis, and the effect such rapid detection has had on containing and controlling veterinary infectious disease outbreaks.
Further reading: Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications
Applications of Real-time PCR to Biothreat Analysis
from Christina Egan and Cassandra D. Kelly-Cirino writing in Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications:
With the public's reawakened concern regarding use of biological agents as weapons, the rapid detection, discrimination, and identification of pathogenic organisms and toxins has become a priority for state and federal government agencies. High confidence, cost effective, and near real-time diagnostic methods are essential to protecting national health security whether the target is public health, agriculture, commodities, or water supply infrastructures. While culture-based methods have been, and will likely remain, the gold standard for microbiological diagnostics, PCR-based tests offer significant advantages in sensitivity, specificity, speed, and data richness that make them invaluable to diagnostic laboratories. In this chapter, we will describe the application of real-time PCR methods in biodefense. We will discuss the use of real-time PCR in biodefense in terms of general workflow and processing considerations, clinical diagnostic applications, environmental diagnostic applications, and multiplex screening. Real-time PCR assays can be either quantitative (qPCR) or qualitative, depending on whether a standard curve is included with the analytical run. Most diagnostic and biodefense applications utilize the qualitative nature of real-time PCR as a detection platform; this chapter will focus on the benefits of these types of assays. Finally, we will consider the future uses and anticipated advances in real-time PCR applications as related to biodefense.
Further reading: Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications