PCR

[John Brunstein]

Hello Jiri,
	There was a thread a few months back where it was suggested that 
ordinary petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) would do quite well (sorry, i 
don't remember who said they had used this).  However, our lab has a 
really simple method for getting hot starts, and I was wondering if 
perhaps there is some glaringly obvious reason why other labs don't do 
this as well:
	we just set up the PCR reaction on ice and KEEP it on ice until 
the thermocycler blocks hit 90C or so; THEN put the tubes in and go have 
a coffee.  Not only don't you have to buy gems or squish vaseline into 
tubes but you can mix the reaction mixture yourself instead of hoping 
convection will do a good enough job for you after the phases come in 
contact.  
	I would be really interested in hearing other people's opinions 
on this seemingly simple method.  Is there a reason no-one else does it 
this way?
On Wed, 13 Apr 1994, Mgr.Jiri Drabek wrote:

> Hello, netters!
> Please, does anybody know alternative (cheap, home made) for PERKIN-ELMER
> AmpliWax PCR gem (used for hot start)?
> Any answer will be appreciated.
> 
>