To be able to properly analyze a sample of DNA, you need to have at least 1 ug of the DNA of interest. Assumptions: PCR is run with 30 cycles; Molecular weight of nucleotide = 330 g per mole for a single stranded DNA.

a. Given that you can use the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify DNA from the original sample and the size of the fragment to be amplified is 10,000 nucleotides long, estimate how many DNA molecules you need to obtain the minimum amount required to analyze the sample. HINT: X = X0*2n , where X is the amount (or number of molecules) of DNA produced after ‘n’ cycles and X0 is the starting amount (or number of molecules) of DNA prior to initiation of cycles.

b. Suggest a way to increase your sensitivity, i.e. amplify the DNA starting from even fewer molecules of template DNA.