Modified DNA polymerases for PCR troubleshooting
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Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Polymerase Chain Reaction: Basic Protocol Plus Troubleshooting and Optimization Strategies
Published on: May 22, 2012
Marta Śpibida1, Beata Krawczyk2, Marcin Olszewski1
1Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdańsk University of Technology, ul. G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland.
Abstract:
PCR has become an essential tool in biological science. However, researchers often encounter problems with difficult targets, inhibitors accompanying the samples, or PCR trouble related to DNA polymerase. Therefore, PCR optimization is necessary to obtain better results. One solution is using modified DNA polymerases with desirable properties for the experiments. In this article, PCR troubleshooting, depending on the DNA polymerase used, is shown. In addition, the reasons that might justify the need for modification of DNA polymerases, type of modifications, and links between modified DNA polymerases and PCR efficiency are described.
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