<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD JATS (Z39.96) Journal Publishing DTD v1.4 20241031//EN"
        "https://jats.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/1.4/JATS-journalpublishing1-4.dtd">
<article  article-type="research-article"        dtd-version="1.4">
            <front>

                <journal-meta>
                                                                <journal-id>ankara univ vet fak derg</journal-id>
            <journal-title-group>
                                                                                    <journal-title>Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi</journal-title>
            </journal-title-group>
                            <issn pub-type="ppub">1300-0861</issn>
                                        <issn pub-type="epub">1308-2817</issn>
                                                                                            <publisher>
                    <publisher-name>Ankara University</publisher-name>
                </publisher>
                    </journal-meta>
                <article-meta>
                                        <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.33988/auvfd.1893780</article-id>
                                                                <article-categories>
                                            <subj-group  xml:lang="en">
                                                            <subject>Animal Science, Genetics and Biostatistics</subject>
                                                    </subj-group>
                                            <subj-group  xml:lang="tr">
                                                            <subject>Zootekni, Genetik ve Biyoistatistik</subject>
                                                    </subj-group>
                                    </article-categories>
                                                                                                                                                        <title-group>
                                                                                                                        <article-title>Dynamic multiplex PCR: A pioneering approach to rapid, cost-effective, and high-quality microsatellite fragment analysis</article-title>
                                                                                                    </title-group>
            
                                                    <contrib-group content-type="authors">
                                                                        <contrib contrib-type="author">
                                                                    <contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">
                                        https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5549-8200</contrib-id>
                                                                <name>
                                    <surname>Bodur</surname>
                                    <given-names>Türker</given-names>
                                </name>
                                                                    <aff>AKDENİZ ÜNİVERSİTESİ</aff>
                                                            </contrib>
                                                    <contrib contrib-type="author">
                                                                    <contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">
                                        https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0794-3151</contrib-id>
                                                                <name>
                                    <surname>Yeşiltaş</surname>
                                    <given-names>Meryem Cansu</given-names>
                                </name>
                                                                    <aff>Akdeniz Su Ürünleri Araştırma, Üretme ve Eğitim Enstitüsü</aff>
                                                            </contrib>
                                                    <contrib contrib-type="author">
                                                                    <contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">
                                        https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2272-9471</contrib-id>
                                                                <name>
                                    <surname>Eldemir</surname>
                                    <given-names>Bahar</given-names>
                                </name>
                                                                    <aff>AKDENİZ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, FEN BİLİMLERİ ENSTİTÜSÜ</aff>
                                                            </contrib>
                                                                                </contrib-group>
                        
                                                                <issue>Advanced Online Publication</issue>
                                                
                        <history>
                                    <date date-type="received" iso-8601-date="20260220">
                        <day>02</day>
                        <month>20</month>
                        <year>2026</year>
                    </date>
                                                    <date date-type="accepted" iso-8601-date="20260408">
                        <day>04</day>
                        <month>08</month>
                        <year>2026</year>
                    </date>
                            </history>
                                        <permissions>
                    <copyright-statement>Copyright © 1954, Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi</copyright-statement>
                    <copyright-year>1954</copyright-year>
                    <copyright-holder>Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi</copyright-holder>
                </permissions>
            
                                                                                                <abstract><p>This study introduces and validates dynamic multiplex PCR, a newly developed multiplex PCR method designed to overcome the inherent limitations of conventional multiplexing, particularly the challenges associated with heterogeneous primer melting temperatures (Tm) among multiple primer pairs in a single reaction. While traditional protocols rely on a single, fixed annealing temperature (Ta) per cycle, the dynamic multiplex PCR approach applies four sequential annealing temperatures (52°C, 54°C, 57°C, and 60°C) within each individual PCR cycle. This novel intra-cycle multi-temperature strategy was evaluated using an 8-plex microsatellite panel in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) samples and compared against three established protocols: multiplex touchdown PCR and two conventional PCR setups at fixed temperatures of 54°C and 57°C. The performance of the methods was assessed through a dual-platform quantitative analysis. Amplification yields were first quantified via densitometric analysis of agarose gel electrophoresis, while capillary fragment analysis was utilized to evaluate peak height, total peak area, quality scores, and fragment sizing precision. Sizing accuracy was rigorously determined as the absolute deviation between observed fragment sizes and assigned allele values. Statistical evaluations were conducted using a General Linear Model (GLM) and ANOVA framework to examine the effects of the PCR method, operator, locus, and biological sample on amplification performance and genotyping reliability. The results demonstrate that dynamic multiplex PCR significantly outperforms both conventional and multiplex touchdown PCR protocols by providing more balanced and robust amplification across all eight loci. By accommodating diverse primer requirements within a single cycle, this method eliminates the need for extensive trial-and-error optimization, thereby substantially reducing the consumption of laboratory consumables and total processing time. These findings establish dynamic multiplex PCR as a highly reliable, cost-effective, and reproducible multiplex PCR approach, offering a significant methodological advancement for high-quality multi-locus genotyping and fragment analysis workflows.</p></abstract>
                                                            
            
                                                            <kwd-group>
                                                    <kwd>Dynamic multiplex PCR</kwd>
                                                    <kwd>  Intra-cycle multi-annealing</kwd>
                                                    <kwd>  Microsatellite genotyping</kwd>
                                                    <kwd>  Optimization efficiency</kwd>
                                            </kwd-group>
                            
                                                                                                                    <funding-group specific-use="FundRef">
                    <award-group>
                                                                            <award-id>121N529</award-id>
                                            </award-group>
                </funding-group>
                                </article-meta>
    </front>
    <back>
                            <ref-list>
                                    <ref id="ref1">
                        <label>1</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Allawi HT, Santa Lucia J (1997): Thermodynamics and NMR of internal G-T mismatches in DNA. Biochemistry, 36, 10,581–10,594. DOI:10.1021/bi962590c</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref2">
                        <label>2</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Berg K, Glaser CL, Thompson RE, et al (2000): Detection of microsatellite instability by fluorescence multiplex polymerase chain reaction. J Mol Diagn, 2, 20-28. DOI:10.1016/S1525-1578(10)60611-3</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref3">
                        <label>3</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Bodur T, Çiftçi Y (2026): Genetic Diversity and Morphometric Discrimination of Native and Introduced Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) Populations in Türkiye. Turk J Fish Aquat Sci, 26, TRJFAS28911. DOI:10.4194/TRJFAS28911.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref4">
                        <label>4</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Bodur T, Tsigenopoulos C, Cagatay IT (2017): Genetic Structure of Wild European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L, 1758) Populations in Aegean and Levantine Sea Using Microsatellite Markers. Turk J Fish Aquat Sci, 17, 7-14. DOI:10.4194/1303-2712-v17_1_02</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref5">
                        <label>5</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Brondani RP, Grattapaglia D (2001): Cost-effective method to synthesize a fluorescent internal DNA standard for automated fragment sizing. BioTechniques, 31, 793-800. DOI:10.2144/01314st06.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref6">
                        <label>6</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Caragine T, Mikulasovich R, Tamariz J, et al (2009): Validation of testing and interpretation protocols for low template DNA samples using AmpFLSTR® Identifiler®. Croat Med J, 50, 250-260. DOI:10.3325/cmj.2009.50.250.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref7">
                        <label>7</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Chistiakov D.A, Tsigenopoulos CS, Lagnel J, et al (2008): A combined AFLP and microsatellite linkage map and pilot comparative genomic analysis of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L.. Anim Genet, 39, 623-634. DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2052.2008.01786.x.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref8">
                        <label>8</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Ciftci Y, Castilho R, McAndrew BJ (2002): More polymorphic microsatellite markers in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). Mol Ecol Notes, 2, 23-25. DOI:10.1046/j.1471-8286.2002.00327.x.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref9">
                        <label>9</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Clarke LA, Rebelo CS, Gonçalves J, et al (2001): PCR amplification introduces errors into mononucleotide and dinucleotide repeat sequences. J Clin Pathol Mol Pathol, 54, 351-353. DOI:10.1136/mp.54.5.351.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref10">
                        <label>10</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Drobinskaya I, Gabbert HE, Moeslein G, et al (2005): A new method for optimizing multiplex DNA microsatellite analysis in low quality archival specimens. Anticancer Res, 25, 3251-3258.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref11">
                        <label>11</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Edwards MC, Gibbs RA (1994): Multiplex PCR: advantages, development, and applications. Genome Res, 3, S65-S75. DOI:10.1101/gr.3.4.S65.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref12">
                        <label>12</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Evett IW, Gill PD, Lambert JA (1998): Taking account of peak areas when interpreting mixed DNA profiles. J Forensic Sci. 43, 62-69. DOI: 10.1520/JFS16091J.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref13">
                        <label>13</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Gibson-Daw G, Crenshaw K, McCord B (2018): Optimization of ultrahigh-speed multiplex PCR for forensic analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem, 410, 235-245. DOI:10.1007/s00216-017-0715-x.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref14">
                        <label>14</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Gill P, Sparkes R, Pinchin R, et al (1998): Interpreting simple STR mixtures using allele peak areas. Forensic Sci Int, 91, 41-53. DOI:10.1016/S0379-0738(97)00174-6.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref15">
                        <label>15</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Guichoux J, Lagache L, Wagner S, et al (2011): Current trends in microsatellite genotyping. Mol Ecol Resour, 11, 591-611. DOI:10.1111/j.1755-0998.2011.03014.x.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref16">
                        <label>16</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Guinand B, Dujardin E, Dufour V, et al. (2008): Characterisation of genetic structure of Dicentrarchus labrax larvae in two nurseries of the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean). Aquat Living Resour, 21, 81–87. DOI:10.1051/alr:2008020.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref17">
                        <label>17</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Henegariu O, Heerema NA, Dlouhy SR, et al (1997): Multiplex PCR: critical parameters and step-by-step protocol. BioTechniques, 23, 504-511. DOI:10.2144/97233rr01.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref18">
                        <label>18</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Heras J, Domínguez C, Mata E, et al (2016): A survey of tools for analysing DNA fingerprints. Brief Bioinform, 17, 903-911. DOI:10.1093/bib/bbv016.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref19">
                        <label>19</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Leclair B, Frégeau CJ, Bowen KL, et al (2004): Systematic analysis of stutter percentages and allele peak height and peak area ratios at heterozygous STR loci for forensic casework and database samples. J Forensic Sci, 49, 961-973. DOI:10.1520/JFS2003312.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref20">
                        <label>20</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Mansfield ES, Vamer M, Hams DW, et al (1997): Rapid sizing of polymorphic microsatellite markers by capillary array electrophoresis. J Chromatogr A. 781, 295-305. DOI:10.1016/S0021-9673(97)00542-6.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref21">
                        <label>21</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">McDonald C, Taylor D, Brinkworth, R, et al (2025): A novel approach to combine qPCR and STR amplification for DNA profiling. Forensic Sci Int Genet, 80, 103332. DOI:10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103332.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref22">
                        <label>22</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">McDonald C, Taylor D, Linacre A (2024): PCR in forensic science: a critical review. Genes (Basel), 15, 438. DOI:10.3390/genes15040438.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref23">
                        <label>23</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Mullis KB, Faloona FA (1987): Specific synthesis of DNA in vitro via a polymerase-catalyzed chain reaction. Methods Enzymol, 155, 335-350. DOI:10.1016/0076-6879(87)55023-6.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref24">
                        <label>24</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Novel P, Porta JM, Porta J, et al (2010): PCR multiplex tool with 10 microsatellites for the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) – applications in genetic differentiation of populations and parental assignment. Aquaculture, 308, 534-538. DOI:10.1016/j.aquaculture. 2010.06.032.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref25">
                        <label>25</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Quéré N, Desmarais E, Tsigenopoulos CS, et al (2012): Gene flow at major transitional areas in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and the possible emergence of a hybrid swarm. Ecol Evol, 2, 3061-3078. DOI:10.1002/ece3.406.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref26">
                        <label>26</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Rithidech K, Dunn JJ (2003): Combining multiplex and touchdown PCR for microsatellite analysis. 295–299. In: Bartlett JMS, Stirling D (Ed.). PCR Protocols. Methods Mol Biol. Humana Press. New Jersey, USA. DOI:10.1385/1-59259-384-4:295.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref27">
                        <label>27</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Rychlik W, Spencer WJ, Rhoads RE (1990): Optimization of the annealing temperature for DNA amplification in vitro. Nucleic Acids Res, 18, 6409-6412. DOI:10.1093/nar/18.21.6409.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref28">
                        <label>28</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Saiki RK, Gelfand DH, Stoffel S, et al (1988): Primer-directed enzymatic amplification of DNA with a thermostable DNA polymerase. Science, 239, 487-491. DOI:10.1126/science.2448875.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref29">
                        <label>29</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Santa Lucia J (1998): A unified view of polymer, dumbbell, and oligonucleotide DNA nearest-neighbor thermodynamics. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 95, 1460-1465. DOI:10.1073/pnas.95.4.1460.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref30">
                        <label>30</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Vallone PM, Hill CR, Butler JM (2008): Demonstration of rapid multiplex PCR amplification involving 16 genetic loci. Forensic Sci Int Genet, 3, 42-45. DOI:10.1016/j.fsigen.2008.09.005.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref31">
                        <label>31</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Vartia S, Collins PC, Cross TF, et al (2014): Multiplexing with three-primer PCR for rapid and economical microsatellite validation. Hereditas, 151, 43-54. DOI:10.1111/her.12056.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref32">
                        <label>32</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Vartia S, Villanueva-Cañas JL, Finarelli J, et al (2016): A novel method of microsatellite genotyping-by-sequencing using individual combinatorial barcoding. R Soc Open Sci, 3, 150565. DOI:10.1098/rsos.150565.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref33">
                        <label>33</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Verheij S, Harteveld J, Sijen T (2012): A protocol for direct and rapid multiplex PCR amplification on forensically relevant samples. Forensic Sci Int Genet, 6, 167-175. DOI:10.1016/j.fsigen.2011.03.014.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                                    <ref id="ref34">
                        <label>34</label>
                        <mixed-citation publication-type="journal">Walsh PS, Fildes NJ, Reynolds R. (1996): Sequence analysis and characterization of stutter products at the tetranucleotide repeat locus vWA. Nucleic Acids Res. 24, 2807-2812. DOI:10.1093/nar/24.14.2807.</mixed-citation>
                    </ref>
                            </ref-list>
                    </back>
    </article>
