Q-Solution Kit

• Mitigates the carryover of PCR inhibitors, such as ethanol, heparin and other potential inhibitors 
• Aids in reactions with nucleic acid templates with complex secondary structures 
• Improves reactions with carryover of magnesium chelators, such as EDTA 
• Compatible with QIAGEN kits and instruments for dPCR, end-point PCR and qPCR

The Q-Solution Kit has been designed to optimize conditions in challenging qPCR and dPCR reactions. The kit box contains 5x Q-Solution and 25 mM MgCl₂, which can be used alone or in combination. If necessary, you can titrate the concentration range of both solutions.

Minimize effects of PCR inhibitors  

Q-Solution is an innovative and versatile PCR additive, which can be used with any of the QIAcuity master mixes. Carryover of inhibitors such as residual alcohol, heparine, humic acids or other critical agents that may impair the PCR reaction, is mitigated by the special properties of Q-Solution (Figure1).  

Boost Primer Binding Affinity 

If you suspect that weak primer or probe binding is resulting in poor PCR performance, try adding MgCl₂ to your PCR reaction. 

Compatible with multiple dPCR and qPCR master mixes 

Difficult PCR conditions can exist in any dPCR, end-point PCR or qPCR reaction, delivering  throughput, reproducibility, and sensitivity.. Regardless of your application, data shows that the Q-Solution Kit can enhance dPCR, end-point PCR and qPCR reactions, in some cases after a simple titration of both components.  

By lowering the melting temperature of the DNA, Q-Solution may overcome difficulties caused by DNA with high-GC content or with complex secondary structures, such as those found in adeno-associated virus (AAV) genomes. The kit also improves PCR efficiency in the presence of inhibitors. MgCl₂ addition is optional and prevents PCR failure caused by chelating agents such as EDTA. As an essential cofactor of DNA polymerase, MgCl₂ can stabilize double-stranded DNA structures, including those formed between primers and template. The principle of the dPCR reaction in the nanoplates is described here. 
 

The protocol is simple and can be performed in any laboratory with the QIAcuity Digital PCR System. As per the instructions in the user manual, the user can prepare the reaction mix as usual and add Q-Solution and MgCl₂ as described in the Quick Start Protocol. The mix is pipetted into the nanoplate. We recommend titrating Q-Solution and MgCl₂ before first use to find the optimal concentration for the specific reaction setup.  

The Q-Solution Kit is highly suitable for various dPCR reactions on the QIAcuity, as well as for end-point PCR and qPCR reactions. For further application examples please check out our Application Note in the “Resources” section.