A variety of PCR inhibitors inherent to clinical and environmental samples can negatively impact the sensitivity and accuracy of a molecular assay. Conventionally, to overcome this, specimens undergo processing before testing. However, extraction technologies are not 100% efficient and can impact the amount of target nucleic acid available for testing. Some PCR inhibitors can also co-elute following purification, reducing the efficiency, particularly in quantitative PCR multiplex assays, and may even induce false-negative assay results.

Meridian’s universal Inhibitor-Tolerant qPCR/RT-qPCR formulations are ready-to-use quantitative PCR supermixes, containing all components except primers, probes, and templates for direct qPCR and RT-qPCR. They are designed for developing qPCR multiplex assays that require minimal sample processing and fast turn-around times (TAT). Because the mixes are highly resistant to various qPCR inhibitors, they can be used with crude lysates or inhibitor-rich samples to directly detect pathogens, including viruses and bacteria, in various biological specimens and to analyse gene expression in cells.

Inhibitor-Tolerant qPCR Mix is available as a standard 2x or 5x quantitative PCR master mix; this flexibility allows assay developers more room for sample, increasing the sensitivity for low copy number samples. All steps, from pre-treatment (if required) to qPCR, to be performed in a single tube, greatly reducing hands-on time and the risk of contamination.

Inhibitor-Tolerant RT-qPCR Lo-ROX Mix is a 4x quantitative PCR master mix, with and without low concentrations of ROX (passive reference dye), again allowing assay developers more room for sample, increasing the sensitivity for low copy number samples. Inhibitor-Tolerant RT-qPCR Mix has been designed for highly reproducible, accurate RNA and DNA target amplification under fast thermal cycling conditions, delivering excellent results in qPCR multiplex assays, even in the presence of difficult qPCR inhibitors found in blood, urine, and stool.

• Ready-to-use qPCR master mixes engineered for amplification from crude samples without the need for complex or time-consuming extraction
• 4x concentration master mix allows for greater sample volume; simply add primers, probes and clinical samples
• Ideal for developing quantitative PCR assays where sample is limited