Aim: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an essential tool for the detection of many pathogens, relying on the use of primers. However, there is limited literature on the shelf life of these nucleotides, which is crucial for meeting the stability requirements of European regulations for in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) (Regulation (EU) 2017/746). This study aims to determine the shelf life of primers used in conventional PCR.
Materials and Methods: Over the past 15 years, we have conducted numerous PCR experiments for various pathogens to estimate the shelf life of dissolved oligonucleotides stored at -20°C. This study focuses on the shelf life of primers used in conventional PCR for two pathogens: Chlamydia trachomatis and Streptococcus mutans.
Results: The findings suggest that primers stored at -20°C typically have a shelf life of five years, even after enduring at least 20 freeze-thaw cycles.
Conclusion: This study contributes valuable insights to the limited literature on primer stability, demonstrating that primers stored at -20°C remain viable for five years. These findings can help laboratories and research institutions reduce costs by minimizing the need for frequent primer replacement and ensure compliance with legal stability requirements.
Key words: Primer, oligonucleotide, polymerase chain reaction, shelf life, chlamydia trachomatis, streptococcus mutans
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