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Blocking primers reduce co-amplification of plant DNA when studying bacterial endophyte communities
Brett E Arenz1, Dan C Schlatter1, James M Bradeen1
1Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, 495 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States.
Abstract:
A blocking primer set based on the technique described by Vestheim and Jarman (2008) was developed to reduce amplification of non-target plant DNA when conducting metagenomic studies on bacterial endophyte communities. Bacterial amplification efficiency was increased 300-fold compared to standard PCR in an Illumina-based study of Sorghastrum nutans leaves.
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