In this video, we demonstrate the duplex digital PCR (ddPCR) technique — a modification of the traditional PCR technique that is useful in detecting two different genetic markers simultaneously. A single PCR reaction is partitioned into nanoliter-sized emulsified droplets that are independently amplified, and the detection of differently colored fluorescence amplification signals from the fraction of droplets is used to compute the initial concentration of the target sequences.
Protocol
1. Assay Mixture Preparation Make 100 µmol/L stock concentrations for all primers in molecular grade water and probes in TE pH 8 buffer [Entero F1A, Entero R1, GPL813TQ; HF183-1, BthetR1, BthetP]. NOTE: Probes for the two targets are fluorescently labeled with different fluorophores as indicated in the List of Materials/Equipment. Prepare master mix by mixing, per reaction planned, 12 µl digital PCR mix (2x stock, see List of Materials/Equip…
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Materials
Low Bind Microtubes
Costar
3207
For storage of reagents, samples/production of master mixes
Nuclease-Free Water
FisherSci
BP2484-50
TE pH 8 buffer
FisherSci
BP2473-100
Hardshell 96-Well Plate
BioRad
HSP-9601
For initial master mix and sample inoculation
Aluminium Sealing Film
BioRad
359-0133
To seal sample plate
Droplet Generator
BioRad
186-3002
Droplet Generation Oil
BioRad
186-3005
Cartridge
BioRad
186-4008
DG8 Cartridge Holder
BioRad
186-3051
Gasket
BioRad
186-3009
20uL pipette tips
Rainin
GP-L10F
For tansferring sample/master mix to cartidge
200uL pipette tips
Rainin
GP-L200F
For transferring droplets to final Twin.Tec Plate
Twin.Tec 96-Well Plate
Eppendorf
951020320
For final droplets thermal cycling and reading
Pierceable Heat Seal Foil
BioRad
181-4040
To seal Twin.Tec plate before thermal cycling
PX1 PCR Plate Sealer
BioRad
181-4000
Only the thermal cycler is needed, no optics
CFX96 Thermal cycler
BioRad
CFX96 and C1000
QX100 Droplet Reader
BioRad
186-3001
Droplet Reader Oil
BioRad
186-3004
Droplet PCR Supermix
BioRad
186-3024
i.e. the digital PCR mix in manuscript
QuantaSoft software (v1.3.2)
Quantasoft
QX100
For viewing, analyzing, and exporting ddPCR data
Entero Forward Primer (Ent F1A)
Operon
GAGAAATTCCAAACGAACTTG
Alternative vendor can be used
Entero Reverse Primer (Ent R1)
Operon
CAGTGCTCTACCTCCATCATT
Alternative vendor can be used
Entero Probe (GPL813TQ)
Operon
[6-FAM]-TGG TTC TCT CCG AAA TAG CTT TAG GGC TA-[BHQ1]
Alternative vendor can be used, but the fluorophore has to be FAM
HF183 Forward Primer (HF183-1)
Operon
ATCATGAGTTCACATGTCCG
Alternative vendor can be used
HF183 Reverse Primer (BthetR1)
Operon
CGTAGGAGTTTGGACCGTGT
Alternative vendor can be used
HF183 Probe (BthetP1)
Operon
[6-HEX]-CTGAGAGGAAGGTCCCCC
ACATTGGA-[BHQ1]
Alternative vendor can be used, but the fluorophore has to be HEX (if using VIC, then the appropriate matric compensation must be chosen.)
Positive control
Mixture of E.faecalis genomic DNA and HF183 standard plasmid (ordered from IDT). For detailed methods in culturing E. faecalis and sequences of the ordered HF183 plasmid, please see Cao et al. 2015 (doi:10.1016/j.watres.2014.12.008). Commercially available Enterococcus DNA standards (ATCC 29212Q-FZ) can also be used in the positive control in place of lab-prepared E. faecalis genomic DNA.