title: Pitfalls encountered while investigating genetic elements by PCR.
abstract: The unprecedented wealth of databases that have become available in the era of next-generation sequencing has considerably increased our knowledge of bacterial genetic elements (GEs). At the same time, the advent of single-cell based approaches has brought realization that unsuspected heterogeneity may occur in the bacterial population from a single colony. The increasing use of PCR-based techniques to study new GEs requires careful consideration of the possible different PCR targets associated with different subpopulations if incorrect or incomplete interpretations are to be avoided. In this commentary, confining ourselves to our direct experience, we illustrate some examples of PCR pitfalls that may be encountered while investigating GEs.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Microbiology; Polytechnic University of Marche; Ancona, Italy.
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Palmieri
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Brenciani
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Mingoia
authors: Eleonora
authors: E
authors: Giovanetti
authors: Bruna
authors: B
authors: Facinelli
authors: Pietro E
authors: PE
authors: Varaldo
keywords: Intra-colony heterogeneity; PCR mapping; PCR pitfalls; genetic elements; single-cell based approaches
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