PCR of translocated chromosomes

[Jim Owens]

One of my coworkers is interested in detecting chromosomal translocations
at low levels in a normal background.  He wants to use dUTP-biotin
modified oligonucleotide primers.  I know it has been done before, but he
says PCR with >1.5ug of template DNA.  He wants to be able to detect
minute amounts of translocated sequence in a background of normal DNA
prepared at times very soon after treatment that results in tumors with
translocations after 120 days.  In the past he has used 32P to detect
translocations as early as 14 days after treatment.  He is hoping to get
away from isotopes, but feels that he needs to increase the amount of
template to increase sensitivity.  

What is the wisdom of the network with respect to DNA polymerases and
concentration of template DNA?  Are there some DNA polymerases (heat
stable or not) that behave better with high amounts of template?

Thanks in advance,

Jim Owens