1. What is IDT Primer Concentration?

IDT (Integrated DNA Technologies) primer concentration calculation determines the concentration of oligonucleotide primers using the basic formula of mass divided by volume. This is essential for molecular biology experiments requiring precise primer concentrations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the concentration formula:

Where:

• \( Mass \) — Mass of the primer in nanograms (ng)
• \( Volume \) — Volume of the solution in microliters (µl)

Explanation: The equation calculates the concentration by dividing the mass of the primer by the volume of the solution it's dissolved in.

3. Importance of Concentration Calculation

Details: Accurate primer concentration calculation is crucial for PCR experiments, sequencing reactions, and other molecular biology techniques that require precise primer quantities for optimal results.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in nanograms (ng) and volume in microliters (µl). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is primer concentration important?
A: Proper primer concentration ensures optimal binding efficiency and specificity in PCR reactions, preventing non-specific amplification.

Q2: What are typical concentration ranges for primers?
A: Most PCR reactions use primers at concentrations between 0.1-1.0 µM, which corresponds to approximately 6-60 ng/µl for a 20-base primer.

Q3: How should I prepare my primer stock solution?
A: Resuspend lyophilized primers in TE buffer or nuclease-free water, then calculate the concentration using this calculator for accurate dilution.

Q4: Can I use this calculator for other oligonucleotides?
A: Yes, this formula works for any oligonucleotide concentration calculation, not just IDT primers.

Q5: What if I need to convert to molar concentration?
A: For molar concentration, you'll need additional information about the molecular weight of your specific oligonucleotide.