Thermo Fisher Scientific Plus/Minus Assay: Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR Systems Owner's manual

Introduction

Designing a

Plus/Minus Assay

Experiment

Preparing the

Samples and

Reaction Plate

Performing a

Plus/Minus Assay

Pre-Read Run

Performing an

Amplification

Run

Performing and

Analyzing a

Plus/Minus Assay

Post-Read Run

Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast

Real-Time PCR System

Plus/Minus Assay

Getting Started Guide

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Applied Biosystems assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this

document. This document is believed to be complete and accurate at the time of publication. In no event shall Applied Biosystems be liable for incidental,

special, multiple, or consequential damages in connection with or arising from the use of this document.

Notice to Purchaser

The Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System is a real-time thermal cycler covered by US patents and corresponding claims in their non-US

counterparts, owned by Applied Biosystems. No right is conveyed expressly, by implication or by estoppel under any other patent claim, such as claims to

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TRADEMARKS:

ABI PRISM, Applied Biosystems, MicroAmp, NucPrep, PrepMan, Primer Express and VIC are registered trademarks and AB (Design), Applera, BloodPrep,

Celera Genomics, FAM, ROX and TAMRA are trademarks of Applied Biosystems or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.

TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.

Part Number 4364017 Rev. D

06/2010

Contents

Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System iii

Preface v

How to Use This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

How to Obtain More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

How to Obtain Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

About the 7900HT Fast System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

About Plus/Minus Assays Using an IPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

About Plus/Minus Assay Experiments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chapter 2 Designing a Plus/Minus Assay Experiment 9

Using TaqMan Probe-Based Chemistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Selecting the Probes and Primers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Chapter 3 Preparing the Samples and Reaction Plate 13

Preparing the DNA Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Preparing the Reaction Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Preparing the Reaction Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Chapter 4 Performing a Plus/Minus Assay Pre-Read Run 19

About Plus/Minus Assay Plate Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Creating a Plus/Minus Assay Plate Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Performing the Pre-Read Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Chapter 5 Performing an Amplification Run 33

About Standard Curve (AQ) Plate Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Creating a Standard Curve (AQ) Plate Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Performing the Amplification Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

iv Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System

Chapter 6 Performing and Analyzing a Plus/Minus Assay Post-Read

Run 47

Performing the Post-Read Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Analyzing the Run and Evaluating the Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Post-Analysis Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Appendix A Sample Plus/Minus Assay Experiment 69

About the Sample Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Plus/Minus Assay Experiment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Appendix B SDS Automation Controller Software 75

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Using the Automation Controller Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Appendix C Analyzing and Viewing Amplification Data 81

Terms Used in Quantitation Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Analyzing the Amplification Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Viewing the Amplification Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

References 93

Index 95

Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System v

Preface

How to Use This Guide

Purpose of This

Guide

This guide provides procedures for conducting plus/minus assays using the Applied

Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real Time PCR System (7900HT Fast System).

Audience This guide is intended for principal investigators and laboratory staff who conduct plus/

minus assays using the 7900HT Fast System.

Assumptions This guide assumes that you have:

• Familiarity with the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system.

• Knowledge of general techniques for handling DNA samples and preparing them

for PCR.

• A general understanding of hard drives and data storage, file transfers, and copying

and pasting.

• Networking experience, if you want to integrate the 7900HT Fast System into your

existing laboratory data flow.

Text Conventions This guide uses the following conventions:

•Bold indicates user action. For example:

Type 0, then press Enter for each of the remaining fields.

•Italic text indicates new or important words and is also used for emphasis. For

example:

Before analyzing, always prepare fresh matrix.

• A right arrow bracket (>) separates successive commands you select from a drop-

down or shortcut menu. For example:

Select File > Open.

User Attention

Words

The following user attention words appear in Applied Biosystems user documentation.

Each word implies a particular level of observation or action as described below:

Note – Provides information that may be of interest or help but is not critical to the use

of the product.

Preface

How to Use This Guide

vi Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System

IMPORTANT! – Provides information that is necessary for proper instrument operation,

accurate chemistry kit use, or safe use of a chemical.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may

result in minor or moderate injury. It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could

result in death or serious injury.

Safety Follow specific safety practices when using this instrument.

For safety guidelines, refer to the "Safety and EMC Compliance" section in the

Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System Site Preparation Guide

(PN 4351923) and the Sequence Detection Systems Software version 2.3 Online Help

(SDS Online Help).

1. You can obtain from Applied Biosystems the MSDS for any chemical supplied by

Applied Biosystems. This service is free and available 24 hours a day. To obtain

MSDSs:

2. Go to www.appliedbiosystems.com, click Support, then click MSDS Search.

3. In the Keyword Search field, enter the chemical name, product name, MSDS part

number, or other information that appears in the MSDS of interest. Select the

language of your choice, then click Search.

4. Find the document of interest, right-click the document title, then select any of the

following:

•Open – To view the document

•Print Target – To print the document

•Save Target As – To download a PDF version of the document to a destination

that you choose

Note: For the MSDSs of chemicals not distributed by Applied Biosystems, contact the

chemical manufacturer.

5. To have a copy of a document sent by fax or e-mail, select Fax or Email to the left

of the document title in the Search Results page, then click RETRIEVE

DOCUMENTS at the end of the document list.

6. After you enter the required information, click View/Deliver Selected Documents

Now.

For chemicals not manufactured or distributed by Applied Biosystems, contact the

chemical manufacturer.

Preface

How to Obtain More Information

Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System vii

How to Obtain More Information

For more information about using the 7900HT Fast System and performing assays, refer

to:

•Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System Plus/Minus Assay Getting

Started Guide (PN 4364017)

•Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System Absolute Quantitation

using Standard Curve Getting Started Guide (PN 4364014)

•Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System Allelic Discrimination

Getting Started Guide (PN 4364015)

•Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System Relative Quantitation

using Comparative CT Getting Started Guide (PN 4364016)

• Sequence Detection Systems Software version 2.3 Online Help (SDS Online Help)

• Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System Maintenance and

Troubleshooting Guide (PN 4365542)

•Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System Site Preparation Guide

(PN 4351923)

•ABI PRISM® 6100 Nucleic Acid PrepStation Users Guide (PN 4326242)

•DNA Isolation from Fresh and Frozen Blood, Tissue Culture Cells, and Buccal

Swabs Protocol (using BloodPrep™ Chemistry, PN 4343586)

•NucPrep® Chemistry Protocol: Isolation of Genomic DNA from Animal and Plant

Tissue (PN 4333959)

•PrepMan® Ultra Sample Preparation Reagent Protocol (PN 4318925)

•Primer Express® Software v3.0 Getting Started Guide (PN 4362460)

•Real-Time PCR Systems Chemistry Guide (PN 4348358)

•TaqMan

® Exogenous Internal Positive Control Reagents Protocol (PN 4308335)

•TaqMan

® Low Density Array Getting Started Guide (PN 4319399)

•TaqMan

® Universal PCR Master Mix Protocol (PN 4304449)

•TransPrep Chemistry Protocol: Purification of gDNA from Filtrates Obtained After

the Isolation of RNA from Homogenized Animal or Plant Tissue Samples

(PN 4326965)

Send Us Your

Comments

Applied Biosystems welcomes your comments and suggestions for improving its user

documents. You can e-mail your comments to:

[email protected]

How to Obtain Support

To contact Applied Biosystems Technical Support from North America by telephone,

call 1.800.899.5858.

For the latest services and support information for all locations, go to http://

www.appliedbiosystems.com, then click the link for Support.

Preface

How to Obtain Support

viii Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System

At the Support page, you can:

• Obtain worldwide telephone and fax numbers to contact Applied Biosystems

Technical Support and Sales facilities

• Search through frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Submit a question directly to Technical Support

• Order Applied Biosystems user documents, MSDSs, certificates of analysis, and

other related documents

• Download PDF documents

• Obtain information about customer training

• Download software updates and patches

Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System 1

Notes

1

Chapter 1

Introduction

About the

7900HT Fast System

About Plus/Minus

Assays Using an IPC

About

Plus/Minus Assay

Experiments

Before You Begin

Introduction

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See page 7

See page 2

See page 3

Chapter 1 Introduction

About the 7900HT Fast System

2Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System

Notes

About the 7900HT Fast System

System

Description

The Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real Time PCR System (7900HT Fast System)

uses fluorescent-based PCR chemistries to provide:

• Quantitative detection of nucleic acid sequences using real-time analysis.

• Qualitative detection of nucleic acid sequences using end-point and dissociation-

curve analysis.

For more information about the 7900HT Fast System, refer to the Sequence Detection

Systems Software version 2.3 Online Help (SDS Online Help) and the

Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System Maintenance and

Troubleshooting Guide (PN 4365542).

Note: To access the SDS Online Help, select Help > SDS Online Help from the SDS

software menu bar.

Supported Assay

Configurations

You can perform several assay types on the 7900HT Fast System using reaction plates in

the 96-well, 384-well and TaqMan® Low Density Array format.This guide describes

only the plus/minus assay type.

For information about the other supported assay configurations for the 7900HT Fast

System, refer to the following table.

Plus/Minus Assay

Configuration

Plus/minus assays are supported on the 7900HT Fast System using reaction plates in the

standard 96-well or standard 384-well format with standard reagents and protocols.

IMPORTANT! Plus/minus assays are not supported using Fast reaction plates, reagents

and protocols.

IMPORTANT! Use standard reaction plates on the 7900HT Fast System with a standard

block. Fast 96-well reaction plates do not fit into the standard 96-well block correctly

and standard 96-well reaction plates do not fit into the fast 96-well block.

Reaction Plate and System Block Options

Assay Type Fast

96-well

Standard

96-well

Standard

384-well

Ta q M a n ®

Low Density Array

Standard curve (AQ) Yes Yes Yes No

Comparative CT (RQ) Yes Yes Yes Yes

Allelic discrimination No Yes Yes No

Plus/minus No Yes Yes No

Chapter 1 Introduction

About Plus/Minus Assays Using an IPC

Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System 3

Notes

1

About Plus/Minus Assays Using an IPC

Plus/Minus Assay

Definition

A plus/minus assay is an end-point assay that determines if a specific target sequence is

present (plus) or not present (minus) in a sample. In an end-point assay, data are

collected at the end of the PCR process.

What is an IPC? An internal positive control (IPC; see TaqMan® Exogenous Internal Positive Control

Reagents kit, PN 4308323) is used in plus/minus assays to monitor the PCR process and

to ensure that a negative result is not due to failed PCR in the sample (Kwok and

Higuchi, 1989). The IPC consists of a template, a primer set, and a VIC® dye-labeled

probe that are added to each well of a reaction plate (the IPC is part of the reaction mix;

see “Preparing the Reaction Mix” on page 15).

Plus/minus assays with an IPC use fluorogenic 5′ nuclease chemistry (also known as

“TaqMan® probe-based chemistry”; see “Using TaqMan Probe-Based Chemistry” on

page 10). During amplification, the sample target and the IPC target generate reporter

fluorescence signals such that positive or negative calls can be made on unknown

samples (Saiki et al., 1985).

Note: Plus/minus assays can also be accomplished without the use of an IPC; however,

an IPC ensures that a failed PCR reaction is not mistaken for a negative target result.

Note: The SYBR® Green I dye-based chemistry and the TaqMan® Fast reagent-based

chemistry are not supported for plus/minus assays.

Terms Used in

Plus/Minus Assay

Analysis Term Definition

Internal positive control (IPC) A second TaqMan probe and primer set

added to the plate to identify well failure to

amplify. Provides a means of determining

amplification failure that might give a false

negative signal.

No amplification control (NAC) Wells that contain no target template and

blocked IPC (the IPC target template has

been blocked by a blocking agent).

No template control (NTC) A sample that does not contain template.

Shows background signal and is used as the

negative control. Provides a means of

measuring contamination that might give a

false positive signal.

Nucleic acid target (also called “target

template” or “target”)

Nucleotide sequence that you want to

identify as present or absent.

Unknown sample (U; also called “sample of

interest”)

The sample for which you want to determine

the presence or absence of a specific target.

Chapter 1 Introduction

About Plus/Minus Assay Experiments

4Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System

Notes

About Plus/Minus Assay Experiments

Plus/Minus Assay

Workflow

After you design a plus/minus assay experiment and prepare the DNA samples, you

perform three runs:

•A pre-read run using a plus/minus assay plate document to determine the baseline

fluorescence associated with primers and probes before amplification.

•An amplification run using a standard curve (AQ) plate document to generate real-

time PCR data, which can be used to analyze and troubleshoot the PCR data for the

plus/minus assay, if needed.

•A post-read run using the original plus/minus assay plate document, which

automatically subtracts the baseline fluorescence determined during the pre-read

run from the post-read amplified data to calculate the result.

The following figure illustrates the complete process.

Sample Plus/

Minus Assay

Experiment

To illustrate how to design, perform, and analyze plus/minus assay experiments, a

sample experiment representing a typical plus/minus assay experiment is described in

Appendix A on page 69. References to parts of the sample experiment are made in the

subsequent chapters (2 to 6) of this guide where applicable. You can use the summarized

procedures of the sample plus/minus assay experiment in Appendix A on page 69 to

familiarize yourself with the entire plus/minus assay workflow.

Prepare

the Samples

Perform an

Amplification Run

Perform and Analyze

a Plus/Minus Post-Read Run

Perform a Plus/Minus

Pre-Read Run

Chapter 1 Introduction

About Plus/Minus Assay Experiments

Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System 5

Notes

1

Required

User-Supplied

Materials

Chemistry/Reagents

Item Source

DNA isolation and purification chemistry systems:

•ABIP

RISM® 6100 Nucleic Acid PrepStation

• BloodPrep™ Chemistry (genomic DNA from

fresh or frozen blood or cells)

•NucPrep

® Chemistry (DNA from animal and

plant tissue)

•PrepMan

® Ultra Sample Preparation Reagent

Kit

•ABIP

RISM® TransPrep System (purification of

gDNA after the isolation of RNA from animal

and plant tissue)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 6100-01)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4346860)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4330274)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4322547)

• Applied Biosystems web site

Labeled primers and probes source:

Primer Express® Software (custom-designed

primers and probes)

Contact your Applied Biosystems sales

representative.

Ta q M a n ® reagents:

•TaqMan

® Exogenous Internal Positive Control

Reagents (VIC® dye-labeled probe)

•TaqMan

® Universal PCR Master Mix (2X)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4308323)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4304437)

Chapter 1 Introduction

About Plus/Minus Assay Experiments

6Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System

Notes

Reaction Plates and Covers

IMPORTANT! Do not use MicroAmp® Caps (domed) or Optical Tubes with the 7900HT Fast

System. You can use Optical Caps (PN 4323032) only with standard 96-well plates on the

7900HT Fast System.

Item Source

Standard 96-well reaction plates:

•MicroAmp

® 96-Well Optical Reaction Plate

with Barcode (code 128), 20 Plates/Pkg

•MicroAmp

® 96-Well Optical Reaction Plate

with Barcode (code 128), 500 Plates/Pkg

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4306737)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4326659)

Standard 384-well reaction plates:

• 384-Well Clear Optical Reaction Plate with

Barcode (code 128), 50 Plates/Pkg

• 384-Well Clear Optical Reaction Plate with

Barcode (code 128), 500 Plates/Pkg

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4309849)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4326270)

Optical adhesive covers:

•ABIP

RISM® Optical Adhesive Cover Starter Kit

Includes 20 ABI PRISM® Optical Adhesive

Covers, an Applicator, and an ABI PRISM®

Optical Cover Compression Pad

•ABIP

RISM® Optical Adhesive Covers,

100 Covers/Pkg

•ABIPRISM® Optical Adhesive Covers,

25 Covers/Pkg

• Optical Caps,

8 caps/strip, 2400 caps/300 strips

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4313663)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4311971)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4360954)

• Applied Biosystems (PN 4323032)

Other Consumables and Equipment

Item Source

Centrifuge with adapter for 96-well and

384-well plates

Major Laboratory Supplier (MLS)

Gloves MLS

Microcentrifuge MLS

Microcentrifuge tubes, sterile 1.5-mL MLS

Pipette tips, with filter plugs MLS

Pipettors, positive-displacement MLS

Vortexer MLS

Nuclease-free water MLS

Tris-EDTA (TE) Buffer, pH 8.0 MLS

Chapter 1 Introduction

Before You Begin

Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System 7

Notes

1

Before You Begin

Calibrating the

7900HT Fast

System

Check that background and pure-dye runs have been performed regularly for optimal

performance of the 7900HT Fast System. For information about calibrating the 7900HT

Fast System, refer to the Sequence Detection Systems Software version 2.3 Online Help

(SDS Online Help) and the Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System

Maintenance and Troubleshooting Guide (PN 4365542).

Accessing the

SDS Online Help

Some steps in this guide refer you to the SDS Online Help for more information. To

access the SDS Online Help, select Help > SDS Online Help from the SDS software

menu bar.

Automation

Options

The 7900HT Fast System can run prepared reaction plates individually or in groups

using the Automation Accessory with the Zymark® Twister Microplate Handler. If you

are not using the Automation Accessory, you must run reaction plates individually. For

clarity, this guide illustrates only running an individual reaction plate using the SDS

Software for the 7900HT Fast System.

For information on running multiple reaction plates using the Automation Controller

Software, refer to Appendix B on page 75. For information on automated operation of

the 7900HT Fast System using the Automation Accessory, see the SDS Online Help.

Chapter 1 Introduction

Before You Begin

8Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System

Notes

Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System 9

Notes

Chapter 2

2

Designing a Plus/Minus Assay

Experiment

Using TaqMan®

Probe-Based Chemistry

Selecting the

Probes and Primers

Designing a

Plus/Minus Assay

Experiment

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Chapter 2 Designing a Plus/Minus Assay Experiment

Using TaqMan Probe-Based Chemistry

10 Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System

Notes

Using TaqMan Probe-Based Chemistry

About the

Chemistry

Plus/minus assays with an IPC use the fluorogenic 5′ nuclease chemistry (also known as

TaqMan® probe-based chemistry).

Note: The SYBR® Green I dye-based chemistry and the TaqMan® Fast reagent-based

chemistry are not supported for plus/minus assays.

Two Ty p e s o f

TaqMan Probes

Applied Biosystems offers two types of TaqMan® probes:

• TaqMan probes with TAMRA™ dye as quencher

• TaqMan MGB (minor groove-binder) probes with non-fluorescent quencher (NFQ)

For more information about the TaqMan probe-based chemistry, refer to the Real-Time

PCR Systems Chemistry Guide (PN 4348358).

Description Process

Taq Man ® chemistry

TaqMan probe-based

chemistry uses a

fluorogenic probe to detect

a specific PCR product as it

accumulates during PCR

cycles (Mullis and Faloona,

1987).

This process, outlined in

the following figures, is

the basis for running

plus/minus assays on the

7900HT Fast System.

3′

5′

5′3′

3′

FORWARD

PRIMER PROBE

R = REPORTER

Q = QUENCHER

REVERSE

PRIMER

QR

3′

5′

5′3′

3′

5′

Q

R

Step 1: Polymerization

A reporter (R) and a quencher (Q)

are attached to the 5' and 3' ends

of a TaqMan probe.

Step 2: Strand Displacement

When both dyes are attached

to the probe, reporter dye

emission is quenched.

3′

5′

5′3′

3′

5′

Q

R

3′

5′

5′3′

3′

5′

Q

R

Step 3: Cleavage

During each extension cycle, the

Applied Biosystems hot-start

DNA polymerase system cleaves

the reporter dye from the probe.

Step 4: Polymerization Completed

After being separated from the

quencher, the reporter dye emits

its characteristic fluorescence.

5′

Chapter 2 Designing a Plus/Minus Assay Experiment

Selecting the Probes and Primers

Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System 11

Notes

2

Chemistry Kits for

Plus/Minus

Assays

The following reagents are available from Applied Biosystems for designing and

running plus/minus assays:

•TaqMan

® Exogenous Internal Positive Control Reagents with VIC®–TAMRA™

dye-labeled probe (PN 4308323)

•TaqMan

® Universal PCR Master Mix (2X) (PN 4304437)

Note: The IPC DNA, primers, and probe supplied in these reagents can be used with all

target samples. Refer to the TaqMan® Universal PCR Master Mix Protocol

(PN 4304449) for instructions on optimizing amplification of your target.

Selecting the Probes and Primers

Design and select a probe and primer set for your target sequence(s) using

Applied Biosystems Primer Express® software. For more information about using this

software, refer to the Primer Express® Software v3.0 Getting Started Guide

(PN 4362460).

Sample Experiment

For the sample experiment, we extracted DNA from 84 batches of ground beef to test for the presence of E. coli using the

plus/minus assay on the 7900HT Fast System. We ran six no IPC/no target template controls, six IPC/no target template

controls, and 84 unknown samples.

The sample experiment used the TaqMan® Exogenous Internal Positive Control Reagents Kit, which is supplied with one

1-mL tube of 10✕ Exo IPC Mix. This mix contains the IPC primers and VIC® dye-labeled probe. We designed the primers/

probe set for E. coli, containing a FAM™ dye-labeled probe with TAMRA™ as the quencher, using Applied Biosystems

Primer Express® Software.

Chapter 2 Designing a Plus/Minus Assay Experiment

Selecting the Probes and Primers

12 Plus/Minus Assay Getting Started Guide for the 7900HT Fast System

Notes

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Plus/Minus Assay: Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR Systems Owner's manual

Thermo Fisher Scientific Plus/Minus Assay: Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR Systems Owner's manual

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