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PCR Guru: An Ultimate Benchtop Reference for Molecular Biologists is provides researchers in molecular biology with a handy reference for approaching and solving challenging problems associated with PCR setup and optimization. As a laboratory guide, it emphasizes the technical aspects of employing PCR as a tool in molecular biology laboratories. The book covers the history of PCR and the basic science underlying it. It then discusses PCR at the bench level, starting with detailed description and tips on primer design, and continuing with the standard protocols used to perform PCR.

Provides troubleshooting tips for various types of modifications of standard protocols
Contains unique "Good Practices and Tips that are indispensable for the beginner and expert alike
Features "Special Cases with applications of PCR, optimization, and troubleshooting
Includes detailed appendices with tables, figures, and key protocols
Organized as a systematic, concentrated resource to save time when addressing a PCR problem

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1. Introduction
2. Procedure
3. Good PCR Practices
4. Troubleshooting
5. Tips
6. Special Cases
Appendix A. Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Protocol
Appendix B. Silver Staining of DNA Gels
Appendix C. Plasmid Miniprep Protocol
Appendix D. Restriction Enzyme Digestion Protocol
Appendix E. Protocol for DNA Concentration Estimation by using Hoechst 33258
Appendix F. Formulas
Appendix G. Primers for Common Promoters, Housekeeping Genes, Reporters, etc.
Appendix H. Tags
Appendix I. Thermostable DNA polymerases
Appendix J. Example of a Daily PCR Log
Appendix K. Common Buffers and Solutions
Appendix L. Useful numbers
Appendix M. Yeast colony PCR

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Najafov, Ayaz
Ayaz was born in Baku, Azerbaijan. He obtained his BSc and MSc degrees in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Bosphorus University, Istanbul, Turkey and got a 2-year training in Biochemistry as an intern at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. Ayaz pursued his PhD in Biochemistry at MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit at Dundee University, Scotland, UK in Prof. Dario Alessi´s lab. Ayaz is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Junying Yuan´s lab at Harvard Medical School, Cell Biology Department.

Hoxhaj, Gerta
Gerta was born in Fier, Albania. She obtained her BSc degrees in Molecular Biology and Genetics, as well as a second major in Chemistry from Bosphorus University, Istanbul, Turkey. Gerta pursued her PhD in Biochemistry at MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit at Dundee University, Scotland, UK in Prof. Carol MacKintosh´s lab. Gerta is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Brendan Mannings´s lab at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases.

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