QPCR - Primer and Probe question - QPCR (Feb/04/2010 )

I want to dry down my primers and probes in single reaction quantities. My worry is that my oligos won't stick well to the inside of a PCR tube.

Does anyone know of an additive (likely a sugar) that I can add to my primers/probe/water that will help them stick to the tube when drying? Yet, this additive must not interfere with the RT or amplification steps of QPCR.

Or perhaps you have tried this with no additive and found that you don't lose your oligos when physically handling the tube?

I'm pretty sure you are worrying about a nonexistent problem. Trehalose is the sugar of choice for protecting proteins and other biochemical mixtures, but I don't think you need it.

phage434 on Feb 4 2010, 05:57 PM said:

It probably seems that it is a non-existant problem. However, I am only able to speak very generally about the work I am doing so I probably didn't communicate my goals properly.

For the particular application, loss of the dried reagents is an issue previously experienced by my predecessor. I will look into Trehalose as you suggested, and I appreciate your answer.

Take care!