What are some sources of PCR contamination?
What are some sources of PCR contamination?
There are four main sources of PCR contamination:
-The most common source of contamination is PCR product from previous amplifications (called ""carryover contamination""). When large amounts of PCR product (1012 molecules) are generated repeatedly over a period of time, the potential for contamination increases.
-Another source of contamination is cloned DNA previously handled in the laboratory.
-Sample-to-sample contamination can also occur. This source of contamination is most likely to be found in samples that require extensive processing prior to amplification.
-Reactions can also be contaminated with exogenous DNA in the environment, including DNA present on laboratory equipment and in reagents used for DNA extraction and PCR.