Primers and Probes

Various types of primers and probes are available from several suppliers for applications in molecular biology. Used in PCR-based amplification, oligonucleotide primers guide the activity of polymerases in order to amplify gene-specific sequences. Non-specific primers, such as random hexamers and oligo-dT primers, are used in the synthesis of cDNA and DNA hybridization probes. DNA and RNA probes are labeled oligonucleotides used in hybridization experiments, such as nucleic acid blotting, in situ hybridization and FISH.