Digital PCR Assays
Are you looking for a dPCR assay for your region of interest? We offer more than 120,000 dPCR assays, many of them wet-lab verified and ready for immediate use. From DNA to miRNA, from oncology to microbiology, we cover all types of analytes and digital PCR applications.
Available Digital PCR Assays
dPCR CNV Probe Assays
Cat. No.: Varies
For locus-specific analysis of copy number variations and alterations by singleplex or multiplex dPCR
dPCR Copy Number Assays
Cat. No.: Varies
For locus-specific analysis of copy number variations and alterations
dPCR Microbial DNA Detection Assays
Cat. No.: Varies
For digital PCR detection of microbial targets, including bacterial, fungal, parasitic, viral, antibiotic resistance or virulence factor genes
dPCR LNA Mutation Assays
Cat. No.: Varies
For detecting specific DNA sequence mutations related to cancer and oncogenesis
miRCURY LNA miRNA PCR Assays for Digital PCR
Cat. No.: 339306
For extremely sensitive and specific miRNA quantification using QIAcuity EvaGreen-based dPCR
QuantiNova LNA PCR Assays for Digital PCR
Cat. No.: Varies
For in-depth, accurate and reliable gene expression analysis using LNA-enhanced, EvaGreen digital PCR
The digital PCR benefit: Specificity, accuracy and reproducibility
Digital PCR enables quantification of low abundance targets, targets in complex mixtures, allelic variants and small fold-change differences for a wide range of sample types. The digital PCR method is suitable for sensitive applications in which you need to precisely quantify faint genetic signals against a strong background.Our dedicated dPCR assays take the guesswork out of assay design and deliver sensitive, accurate and reliable results, no matter your application.
Whether you’re analyzing low-frequency somatic mutations and variations in copy number, detecting microbial genes, or quantifying differential expression of miRNA or mRNA/lncRNA targets, we have an assay optimized for your experimental success.
Whether you’re analyzing low-frequency somatic mutations and variations in copy number, detecting microbial genes, or quantifying differential expression of miRNA or mRNA/lncRNA targets, we have an assay optimized for your experimental success.
Digital PCR assays for cancer and microbial research
How to use dPCR to detect DNA targets vs RNA and miRNA
Thanks to its partitioning strategy, dPCR enables the absolute quantification of low-abundance DNA, RNA, and miRNA targets. Digital PCR is particularly beneficial for detecting rare mutations and analyzing CNVs without the need for standard curves. For RNA, dPCR provides accurate measurement of gene expression, even for low-abundance transcripts and challenging sample types. When detecting miRNA, dPCR offers superior sensitivity and high amplification fidelity, enabling the precise quantification of miRNA molecules.
Compare dPCR assay design considerations for DNA vs RNA vs miRNA and get practical tips for each in the table below.
Analytes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amplicon Length | Shorter amplicons between 60–150 bp | Similar to DNA: keep short (<150 bp) | Very short ~18–24 nt; stem-loop or specialized RT primers used with amplicon usually ~60 bp after RT |
| Primer Design | GC content of about ~40–60% to reduce primer dimers and secondary structures | Same as DNA; use primers designed against spliced sequences if targeting mRNA | LNA modifications can enhance binding and specificity |
| Probe Design | Probe Tm 8–10°C higher than primers; design probes without a guanine at the 5' end to maximize fluorescence signal | Same as DNA probes; hydrolysis probes are preferable for multiplexing | LNA probes can increase mismatch discrimination and signal strength |
| Specificity | Use BLAST to confirm targets; use LNA probes for SNP discrimination | Design primers across splice junctions or target conserved regions or use LNA probes for better binding specificitiy | Critical due to miRNA family homology; design highly specific LNA probes and primers |
| Assay Optimization | Optimize annealing temperature (consider running a gradient), primer/probe concentration (consider running a dilution series) | Optimize RT conditions and input variability control | Include RT efficiency controls; fine-tune probe conc. |
| Controls | Use no-template controls (NTC), positive controls and reference genes for normalization and contamination check | Include RT-minus controls to check genomic DNA contamination, external RNA controls, and spike-ins to assess RT efficiency and variability | Use synthetic spike-ins, no-RT controls, positive controls; normalizers such as small nuclear RNAs or exogenous controls to correct sample-to-sample variability |
“With GeneGlobe, you can find more than 90,000 dPCR targets for any application from oncology to microbiology. And if your region of interest is still missing, there are often tools for creating your own custom dPCR assay.”
Dr. Colin Donohoe, Associate Director R&D, QIAGEN
Relevant dPCR products and resources
FAQ – Digital PCR assays and applications
Get quick answers to common questions about selecting, designing, and using digital PCR assays. Learn how to choose the right assay for your application, understand the benefits of QIAGEN’s dPCR portfolio, and find resources in one place.