Should I amplify my eBlocks™ Gene Fragments when I receive them?

We do not recommend amplifying after receipt. eBlocks Gene Fragments are synthesized from several smaller overlapping fragments. Even after purification, the final prep may contain some of these smaller byproducts.

During PCR smaller products are more efficiently amplified than longer ones, and once the exponential phase of PCR is reached, any smaller products in the reaction will overwhelm the generation of the full-length correct product. Researchers will often see a smear or smaller bands than expected when the PCR product is run on a gel.