The innovative formulation of the AllTaq Master Mix and AllTaq PCR Buffer facilitates the amplification of specific PCR products and delivers successful results at the first attempt, using the same protocol for all targets. During the annealing step, the buffer allows a high ratio of specific-to-nonspecific primer binding (see figure PCR buffer). The verified buffer composition is adapted to ultra-fast cycling conditions and simultaneously provides stringent primer-annealing conditions over a wide range of annealing temperatures. The AllTaq PCR Buffer also ensures perfect duplex capabilities. Optimization of PCR by varying the annealing temperature (see figure  No annealing temperature optimization) or the Mg ²⁺ concentration is not required.

The versatile chemistry enables amplification of long targets up to 9 kb as well as duplex PCR, providing flexible workflow planning using the same PCR kit. Q-solution provided in the AllTaq PCR Core Kit facilitates amplification of difficult secondary structures, such as GC-rich templates. The guard-protected, hot-start mechanism (see figure Principle of AllTaq hot-start mechanism) prevents premature PCR leakage, ensuring premium specificity and sensitivity down to a single target molecule (see figure Single copy detection).

The AllTaq Master Mix Kit provides a convenient, ready-to-use master mix formulation. The AllTaq PCR Core Kit offers AllTaq DNA Polymerase, AllTaq PCR buffer, dNTPs, MgCl ₂ and Q-solution in separate tubes, in case optimization of the PCR protocol is desired (see figure Amplification of long PCR fragments). Both kits provide orange Master Mix Tracer and blue Template Tracer in separate vials for optional use.

At low temperatures, AllTaq DNA Polymerase is kept in an inactive state by an antibody and a novel guard molecule, which stabilize the complex (see figure Principle of AllTaq hot-start mechanism). This improves the stringency of the hot start and prevents any enzymatic activity at ambient temperature, allowing reaction setup without ice, facilitating automation. The enzyme is fully activated after the 2-minute incubation step at 95°C and starts amplifying with high specificity from the first cycle. The hot-start procedure eliminates extension from nonspecifically annealed primers and primer–dimers from the first cycle, ensuring highly specific and reproducible PCR.

The innovative AllTaq PCR Master Mix and AllTaq Buffer facilitate ultra-fast cycling conditions and simultaneously provide stringent primer-annealing conditions over a wide range of annealing temperatures. They also ensure perfect duplex capabilities. Optimization of PCR by varying the annealing temperature or the Mg ²⁺ concentration is not required.

The blue and orange dyes in the PCR Template Tracer and in the PCR Master Mix Tracer, respectively, allow visual tracking of pipetted samples during the PCR setup, preventing errors. When the blue template is added to the orange PCR Master Mix, the color changes to green, confirming that sample was added (see figure Visual pipetting control). The use of these tracers is optional.

Reactions can be directly loaded onto agarose gels after cycling. Each tracer dye allows monitoring of the loading process and efficient tracking of the subsequent electrophoresis (see figure Integrated tracking dyes).

The AllTaq Master Mix Kit provides a convenient, ready-to-use 4x concentrated master mix formulation, which allows for a high template input volume to further boost sensitivity. The AllTaq PCR Core Kit offers AllTaq DNA Polymerase, PCR buffer, dNTPs, MgCl ₂ and Q-solution in separate tubes, if optimization of the PCR protocol should be desired.

The orange Master Mix Tracer is optionally added to master mix or PCR buffer. When template dyed with the blue Template Tracer is added to the master mix, the color of the solution changes from orange to green, providing a visual indication of correct pipetting and reaction setup (see figure  PCR procedure). The tracer dyes allow direct loading on agarose gels after PCR and efficient tracking of the subsequent electrophoresis. The dyes run at approximately 50 bp (orange) and 4000 bp (blue) on a 1% agarose gel (see figure Integrated tracking dyes).

The versatile buffer system allows ultrafast PCR, in approximately 45 minutes, using the same protocol for any standard PCR and duplex PCR. A cycling protocol is provided for long templates, between 1–9 kb.

The guard-protected, hot-start mechanism enables complete reaction setup at room temperature, eliminating the need for ice and allowing automated pipetting. After reaction setup, samples can be left at room temperature for more than 3 days before PCR cycling. Furthermore, the master mix is extremely stable, avoiding degradation during use and allowing storage at 2–8°C for up to 6 months.

The AllTaq PCR Core Kit contains Q-Solution that can be added optionally. Q-solution facilitates amplification of difficult targets by modifying the melting behavior of nucleic acids (e.g., templates with a high degree of secondary structure or are GC rich).

To further streamline PCR workflows, we recommend the QIAgility instrument for automated reaction setup and PCR analysis on the QIAxcel Advanced system.

The AllTaq Master Mix and AllTaq PCR Core Kits can be used for any PCR, for genotyping and genetic analysis or target detection from complex gDNA or cDNA templates, including reactions with multiple primer pairs or that include a wide range of amplicon sizes.