IMPROVE YOUR WHOLE GENOME AMPLIFICATION

Reproducibly Amplify DNA From Limited Template Samples

Whole genome amplification (WGA) is used to obtain sufficient quantities of DNA from limited template samples and has become an essential first step for testing single cells. Following WGA, the detection of genetic changes from these samples, including copy number variants (CNV) and mutation analysis is achieved using downstream genomic applications such as massively parallel sequencing (MPS), genotyping and array-based technologies. WGA methods must be critically assessed for their suitability to their intended use, as some methodologies can introduce inaccuracies through amplification bias, errors, and inconsistent yields.

Some applications for WGA are Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), cancer research, and testing using circulating fetal cells.  Downstream methods include molecular karyotyping, SNP and STR genotyping, qPCR- and PCR-based mutation detection, next generation sequencing, and microsatellite analysis.

Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed PCR

Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed PCR (DOP-PCR) based Whole Genome Amplification (WGA) generates representative amplification of total DNA from small numbers of cells or their DNA equivalent. The protocol was first developed by Telenius et al in 19921. DOP-PCR was specifically designed to give general amplification across any genome (human or non-human) using frequently occurring primer binding sites.

The principle of DOP-PCR is based on the use of a novel primer design; the DOP primer consists of three distinct regions. The 3’ end of the primer also contains a specific short sequence (6 bp in the original 6MW DOP primer) that anneals at an estimated 106 evenly dispersed sites across the human genome. The primer contains a series of degenerate bases (6 bp in the 6MW primer that are randomly made up of As, Cs, Gs or Ts) followed by another region of specified sequence (10 bp in 6 MW).

The PCR program starts with a series of low stringency cycles (using a low annealing temperature such as 25°C) and a slow ramp rate to reach the PCR extension temperature of 72°C) so that the initial PCR amplification is solely reliant on the annealing of the first 6 primer bases to the DNA template.  This is followed by a series of high stringency PCR cycles (using a higher annealing temperature of 58°C) and standard ramping rate to the extension temperature, like a typical PCR program. The purpose of the degenerate bases and the specific 5’ sequence is to stabilize the PCR amplification during the high stringency cycles, when the entire primer sequence is used for annealing.  The degenerate bases in the middle of the DOP-PCR primer turn what would have been a single primer sequence into a pool of 46 different primers.

The expertise in the DOPlify® kit originated from our use of the original Telenius DOP-PCR to amplify whole microdissected chromosomes that were then printed onto a microarray surface and used as targets for the detection of whole chromosome aneuploidy.  Our scientists published the first paper demonstrating the detection of whole chromosome aneuploidy from single cells using this microarray2.

DOPlify® Whole Genome Amplification

The DOPlify® kit is a whole genome amplification kit designed and optimized specifically to amplify the genome from single cells and limited DNA templates. It follows a single tube workflow, utilizing ready-mixes to minimize the pipetting steps needed and requires only two sample tube openings, reducing the risk of sample contamination. While the initial DOP-PCR protocol used Taq polymerase, the DOPlify® WGA kit employs the high processivity and fidelity of new generation, sequencing-grade polymerases, ensuring significantly improved single base accuracy (1 error in 3.6 x 106 bases).

The DOPlify® WGA kit reproducibly amplifies total DNA from limited template samples to produce microgram quantities of amplified DNA in less than 3 hours. The kit can be used successfully on both cellular and purified genomic DNA inputs for a range of different applications including but not limited to massively parallel sequencing (MPS), genotyping and array-based technologies.

  1. Telenius, H., Carter, N. P., Bebb, C. E., Nordenskjo¨ld, M., Ponder, B. A., & Tunnacliffe, A. (1992). Degenerate oligonucleotide-primed PCR: General amplification of target DNA by a single degenerate primer. Genomics, 13(3), 718-725. doi:10.1016/0888-7543(92)90147-k
  2. Hu, D. G. (2004). Aneuploidy detection in single cells using DNA array-based comparative genomic hybridization. Molecular Human Reproduction,10(4), 283-289. doi:10.1093/humrep/gah038.

  • NOVA-4231-0020

    50 RXNS

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.