PCRPRIMERDESIGN.docVIP

Molecular Biology Today 2001. 2(2): 27-32. ? PCR Primer Design Vinay K. Singh and Anil Kumar ? Bioinformatics Sub-centre, School of Biotechnology, Devi Ahilya University, Khandwa Road, Indore 452 017 MP, India ? ? Abstract ? To make PCR a specific, efficient and cost effective tool for researchers and clinicians the most important aspect is oligonucleotide primer design. This review discusses various aspects of primer design. Advice is provided for optimal design and the role of bioinformatic tools is highlighted. The authors discuss theoretical considerations and compare computational and experimental studies. ? Introduction ? Bioinformatics is a newly-emerged inter-disciplinary research area spanning a range of specialties that include molecular biology, biophysics, computer science, mathematics and statistics. It makes use of scientific and technological advances in the areas of computer science, information technology and communication technology to solve complex problems in life sciences, particularly problems in biotechnology. Bioinformatics comprises of the development and application of algorithms for the analysis and interpretation of data, for the design and construction of vital databases, and for the design of experiments. Bioinformatics is used interchangeably with the terms biocomputing and computational biology. However, biocomputing is more correctly defined as the systematic development and application of computing systems and computational solution techniques to model biological phenomena. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one such phenomenon. PCR is used for the in vitro amplification of DNA at the logarithmic scale. Various components of the PCR reaction such as Taq DNA polymerase, assay buffer, deoxynucleoside triphosphates, stabilizing agents, and primers make it possible for the DNA template to be amplified sufficiently in vitro to attain detectable quantities. PCR can be used for various purposes such as the amplification of hum