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cDNA synthesis kits—SMART technology

cDNA synthesis

SMART (Switching Mechanism at 5' End of RNA Template) is a unique technology that allows the efficient incorporation of known sequences at both ends of cDNA during first-strand synthesis, without adapter ligation. The presence of these known sequences is crucial for a number of downstream applications, including amplification, RACE, and library construction. While a wide variety of technologies can be employed to take advantage of these known sequences, the simplicity and efficiency of SMART technology permits unparalleled sensitivity and ensures that full-length cDNA is generated and amplified.

SMART (Switching Mechanism at 5' End of RNA Template) is a unique technology that allows the efficient incorporation of known sequences at both ends of cDNA during first-strand synthesis, without adapter ligation. The presence of these known sequences is crucial for a number of downstream applications, including amplification, RACE, and library construction. While a wide variety of technologies can be employed to take advantage of these known sequences, the simplicity and efficiency of SMART technology permits unparalleled sensitivity and ensures that full-length cDNA is generated and amplified.

Minimal RNA sample handling

The entire SMART protocol is performed by one enzymatic reaction, in a single tube. Your precious RNA is subjected to the least possible handling, minimizing potential degradation risks. The protocol is user-friendly and straightforward with no adaptor ligation, no tailing, and no intervening purification steps.

Full-length cDNA enrichment

Because cDNA synthesis is susceptible to interruption by secondary structures in the template RNA, the 5' ends of genes are typically underrepresented in cDNA synthesized by conventional methods. During SMART cDNA synthesis, truncated products resulting from premature termination of the reverse transcription reaction do not incorporate the SMARTer oligonucleotide and consequently are not amplified during PCR. Thus, cDNA created using our SMART technology and amplified by long-distance PCR is enriched for full-length cDNA. Furthermore, because the 5' SMARTer sequence and modified oligo(dT) primer are not added onto genomic DNA or cDNA transcribed from ribosomal RNA, cDNA that is generated using SMART technology is free of sequences derived from these contaminating agents.

Extraordinary sensitivity and high efficiency

One of the greatest advantages of SMART technology is its increased efficiency compared to traditional technologies such as adapter ligation. Its high efficiency and sensitivity enables you to use a very limited quantity of starting material, such as microdissected tissues, laser-captured cells, biopsy samples, etc. As little as 1–2 ng of total RNA is sufficient for generating a highly representative cDNA pool for different downstream applications.

Single-step procedure

During first-strand SMARTer cDNA synthesis, known universal primer sequences are incorporated at both ends of the cDNA. Following first-strand synthesis, SMARTer cDNA is immediately available for PCR amplification.

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Cat. # Product Size Price License Quantity Details
634926 SMARTer® PCR cDNA Synthesis Kit 20 Rxns USD $1526.00

A kit for performing twenty cDNA syntheses from nanogram amounts of total or poly A+ RNA. The kit utilizes our SMART (Switching Mechanism At 5' end of RNA Template) technology coupled with PCR amplification to generate high yields of full-length double-stranded cDNA suitable for various applications, including Clontech PCR-Select cDNA subtraction, nondirectional cloning, and preparation of complex cDNA probes. The SMARTer PCR cDNA Synthesis Kit includes the same components as the original SMART PCR cDNA Synthesis Kit plus an improved SMARTer II A oligo and SMARTScribe Reverse Transcriptase, which provide higher specificity and increased yield.

Notice to purchaser

Our products are to be used for Research Use Only. They may not be used for any other purpose, including, but not limited to, use in humans, therapeutic or diagnostic use, or commercial use of any kind. Our products may not be transferred to third parties, resold, modified for resale, or used to manufacture commercial products or to provide a service to third parties without our prior written approval.

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Required Products

Cat. # Product Size Price License Quantity Details
639207 Advantage® 2 PCR Kit 30 Rxns USD $188.00

This kit is based on Takara's Advantage 2 Polymerase Mix. It contains all reagents needed for a hot-start PCR, including control template and primer mix. This kit is ideal for PCR applications that require high fidelity, such as cDNA amplification or library construction. Enough reagents are supplied for 30 PCR reactions of 50 μl each.

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634928 SMARTer® Pico PCR cDNA Synthesis Kit 10 Rxns USD $1477.00

The SMARTer Pico PCR cDNA Synthesis Kit provides a PCR-based method for producing high-quality cDNA from picogram quantities of total RNA. The cornerstone of SMARTer cDNA synthesis is still our unique SMART (Switching Mechanism At the 5' End of RNA Transcript) technology; now with a modified SMARTer II A oligo. This new and improved oligo, combined with SMARTScribe Reverse Transcriptase, provides higher specificity and increased yields. The SMARTer Pico PCR cDNA Synthesis Kit allows you to synthesize high-quality cDNA for array probe generation, cDNA subtraction, "Virtual Northern" blots, or other applications, from as little as 1 ng of total RNA at extremely low concentrations (or in diluted samples). It is especially useful for researchers who have limited starting material, such as RNA derived from laser-capture microscopy samples, cells sorted by flow cytometry, or other extremely small samples.

Notice to purchaser

Our products are to be used for Research Use Only. They may not be used for any other purpose, including, but not limited to, use in humans, therapeutic or diagnostic use, or commercial use of any kind. Our products may not be transferred to third parties, resold, modified for resale, or used to manufacture commercial products or to provide a service to third parties without our prior written approval.

Documents Components Image Data

Required Products

Cat. # Product Size Price License Quantity Details
639207 Advantage® 2 PCR Kit 30 Rxns USD $188.00

This kit is based on Takara's Advantage 2 Polymerase Mix. It contains all reagents needed for a hot-start PCR, including control template and primer mix. This kit is ideal for PCR applications that require high fidelity, such as cDNA amplification or library construction. Enough reagents are supplied for 30 PCR reactions of 50 μl each.

Documents Components Image Data
634925 SMARTer® PCR cDNA Synthesis Kit 10 Rxns USD $956.00

A kit for performing ten cDNA syntheses from nanogram amounts of total or poly A+ RNA. The kit utilizes our SMART (Switching Mechanism At 5' end of RNA Template) technology coupled with PCR amplification to generate high yields of full-length double-stranded cDNA suitable for various applications, including Clontech PCR-Select cDNA subtraction, nondirectional cloning, and preparation of complex cDNA probes. The SMARTer PCR cDNA Synthesis Kit includes the same components as the original SMART PCR cDNA Synthesis Kit plus an improved SMARTer II A oligo and SMARTScribe Reverse Transcriptase, which provide higher specificity and increased yield.

Notice to purchaser

Our products are to be used for Research Use Only. They may not be used for any other purpose, including, but not limited to, use in humans, therapeutic or diagnostic use, or commercial use of any kind. Our products may not be transferred to third parties, resold, modified for resale, or used to manufacture commercial products or to provide a service to third parties without our prior written approval.

Documents Components Image Data

Required Products

Cat. # Product Size Price License Quantity Details
639207 Advantage® 2 PCR Kit 30 Rxns USD $188.00

This kit is based on Takara's Advantage 2 Polymerase Mix. It contains all reagents needed for a hot-start PCR, including control template and primer mix. This kit is ideal for PCR applications that require high fidelity, such as cDNA amplification or library construction. Enough reagents are supplied for 30 PCR reactions of 50 μl each.

Documents Components Image Data

Overview

  • Start with as little as 1–2 ng of total RNA
  • Specific enrichment for full-length cDNA
  • Optimized protocol for retaining true gene representation
  • Simplified protocol without DNase treatment or a separate adapter-ligation step

More Information

Applications

  • Cloning and library construction
  • Probe generation
  • Subtractive hybridization
  • Next-generation sequencing
  • Virtual northerns
  • Template generation for PCR/qPCR

Additional product information

Please see the product's Certificate of Analysis for information about storage conditions, product components, and technical specifications. Please see the Kit Components List to determine kit components. Certificates of Analysis and Kit Components Lists are located under the Documents tab.

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