3: Bioinformatics PT. 2 Flashcards
→ an extremely powerful technique that enables one to amplify fragments of DNA
PCR
→ an incredibly versatile technique that is applicable to genetic profiling, detection, gene expression, modification, biomedical research, diagnostic testing, and forensic testing
PCR
T or F
successful PCR that produces an optimal amount of product requires the use of good PCR machine
F (requires the use of GOOD PRIMER PAIRS)
The single-most important factor affecting PCR
Choosing appropriate primers
T or F
Primers are important in PCR because it produces specific amplification
T bb quoh
Specific amplification of intended target sequences requires that primers do not have what?
Matches to other targets (allow undesired amplification)
→ short nucleotide sequence that is paired with one strand of DNA and provides a free 3’-OH end at which the polymerase starts synthesis of a DNA chain
Primer
→ aka an oligonucleotide; site where the incoming nucleotides will be added
Primer
cannot start synthesis without a primer
DNA polymerase
T or F
DNA sequence is given as 2 strands
F (given as 1 STRAND ONLY)
T or F
DNA polymerase provides the free 3’-OH group unlike for RNA polymerase
F (Primer provides the free 3’-OH group)
identical to the “top strand” of DNA (5’ to 3’ direction)
forward primer
sequence is in the complementary strand (STILL in 5’ to 3’ direction)
reverse primer
T or F
Reverse primer is derived from the bottom strand which is given by the database
F (NOT GIVEN by the database)
T or F
After getting the reverse primer sequence, that is already enough as a primer sequence
F (NOT ENOUGH kasi you have to turn the sequence around from 3’ –> 5’ to 5’ –> 3’)
Types of Primers:
→ can only anneal to the templates from one species
→ used when the DNA sequence is known (primers in the previous examples)
→ amplifies only the intended target
→ do not have matches to other targets;
target-specific primer
T or F
Target-specific primers only amplifies intended target and is used when DNA sequence is unknown
F (used when DNA sequence is KNOWN)
Types of Primers:
→ a single sequence that amplifies similar genes related to a specific genus
→ uses only one set of primers but can amplify different types of DNA targets
Universal primer
Types of Primers: universalprimer
→ is highly conserved across different species and has a very low evolution rate
→ primers will anneal universally to this
→ assists with differentiating between closely related bacterial species
16S rRNA gene (rDNA)
T or F
16S rRNA gene (rDNA) is an example of universal primer
T
Familiarize the primers designed for the 16S rRNA gene
16S-F (897-914) - forward primer
16S-FAM-probe (959-977) - negligible;
16S-R (1066-1083) - reverse primer
T or F
16S-FAM-probe (959-977) is still valid sequence used to identify the 16S gene using a probe
F (NEGLIGBLE)
T or F
the different bacteria sequences will be differentiated after PCR
T
T or F
sequences in between the 2 primers does not differ per bacterial species
F (sequences in between the 2 primers GREATLY differ per bacterial species)
→ mix or series of primers in which some positions have several possible bases
→ are usually used to amplify DNA fragments based on the available protein sequence
degenerate primer
T or F
A codon that are degenerate means that an amino acid may be specified by 1 codon only code for the same amino acid
F (amino acid may be specified by MORE THAN 1 CODON OR DIFFERENT CODONS code for the same amino acid OR different codons code for the same amino acid)
Familiarize the steps in degenerate primer
- get the DNA sequence by performing PCR/amplification using degenerate primers
- once amplified, get the amplicon and it will reveal the exact sequence of the protein you are working on
Familiarize importance of well-designed primers
- as much an art form as a science
- the success of a PCR reaction relies in part in the specificity of binding of the primer to the template
- a poorly designed primer may amplify DNAs that are not really your targets
WHAT do you do before you start designing a primer?
Check literature (someone may have already designed primers that will do the job for you)
General steps in designing a primer?
- identify amplicon/DNA segment/gene of interest using online databases
- use primer designing software
- check the best primer pair from among the suggested sequences produced from the software
Characteristics of a good primer pair?
- Primer length
- GC content
- GC clamp
Characteristics of a Good Primer Pair:
→ affects both specificity and annealing temperature
→ optimal size: 18-25 nucleotides (aka bases/mers)
primer length