HotStarTaq Plus Master Mix Kit

Each lot of HotStarTaq Plus DNA Polymerase is subjected to a comprehensive range of quality control tests, including a stringent PCR specificity and reproducibility assay in which low-copy targets are amplified. HotStarTaq Plus Master Mix Kit outperforms kits from other suppliers and ensures high specificity and superior performance in hot-start PCR (see figures " Highest specificity" and " Higher specificity with different primer–template systems", and table). The innovative PCR buffer provided with the kit ensures specificity over a wide range of PCR conditions, minimizing the need for optimization. CoralLoad Concentrate, also included with the kit, ensures greater convenience by improving pipetting visibility and allowing direct loading of PCR products onto a gel. CoralLoad Concentrate can be added to the PCR without affecting amplification sensitivity or specificity. PCR fragments amplified in the presence of CoralLoad Concentrate have been successfully tested for cloning and restriction digestion without prior purification.

The combination of high specificity and easy handling makes the HotStarTaqPlus Master Mix Kit suitable for use with complex genomic or cDNA templates (see figure " Effect of hot start on RT-PCR performance"), multiple primer pairs (see figure " Specific amplification in multiplex PCR), and templates isolated from difficult sources or very low-copy targets (see figure " Highly sensitive single-cell PCR"). The HotStarTaqPlus Master Mix Kit is also suitable for projects such as genetic screening, in which large numbers of samples are amplified.

HotStarTaq Plus DNA Polymerase specifications

Concentration: 5 units/µl
Recombinant enzyme: Yes
Substrate analogs: dNTP, ddNTP, dUTP, biotin-11-dUTP, DIG-11-dUTP, fluorescent-dNTP/ddNTP
Extension rate: 2–4 kb/min at 72°C
Half-life: 10 min at 97°C ; 60 min at 94°C
Amplification efficiency: ≥10⁵ fold
5'–>3' exonuclease activity: Yes
Extra A addition: Yes
3'–>5' exonuclease activity: No
Contaminating nucleases: No
Contaminating RNases: No
Contaminating proteases: No
Self-priming activity: No

HotStarTaq Plus Master Mix is a ready-to-use mixture of HotStarTaq Plus DNA Polymerase, QIAGEN PCR Buffer, MgCl₂, and dNTPs. HotStarTaq Plus DNA Polymerase provides the unrivaled performance of HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase with a shortened activation time of just 5 minutes.

HotStarTaq Plus DNA Polymerase, a modified form of QIAGEN Taq DNA Polymerase, is supplied in an inactive state that has no polymerase activity at ambient temperatures. This prevents extension of nonspecifically annealed primers and primer–dimers formed at low temperatures during PCR setup and the initial PCR cycle (see figures " Highest specificity" and " High specificity with different primer-template systems"). HotStarTaq Plus DNA Polymerase is activated by a short 5-minute incubation at 95°C, which can be easily incorporated into any existing thermal-cycler program.

QIAGEN PCR Buffer

QIAGEN PCR Buffer maintains specific amplification in every cycle of PCR by promoting a high ratio of specific-to-nonspecific primer binding during the annealing step in each PCR cycle (see figure " Increased specificity of primer annealing"). Owing to a uniquely balanced combination of KCl and (NH₄)₂SO₄, the buffer provides stringent primer-annealing conditions over a wider range of annealing temperatures and Mg²⁺ concentrations than conventional PCR buffers. Optimization of PCR by varying the annealing temperature or the Mg²⁺ concentration is therefore often minimal or not required.

CoralLoad Concentrate

The HotStarTaq Plus Master Mix Kit contains CoralLoad Concentrate (see figure " CoralLoad Concentrate"), which contains a gel-loading reagent and 2 gel-tracking dyes. CoralLoad Concentrate improves pipetting visibility and facilitates estimation of DNA migration distance and optimization of agarose gel run time. When using CoralLoad Concentrate, PCR products can be directly loaded onto an agarose gel without prior addition of loading buffer.

The HotStarTaq Plus Master Mix Kit is highly suitable for a wide variety of applications, including challenging applications such as amplification of: 

• Complex genomic templates
• Complex cDNA templates (e.g., RT-PCR)
• Very low-copy targets (e.g., single-cell PCR)
• Reactions with multiple primer pairs