Dynamic multiplex PCR: A pioneering approach to rapid, cost-effective, and high-quality microsatellite fragment analysis
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Project Number
121N529
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Animal Science, Genetics and Biostatistics
Journal Section
Research Article
Early Pub Date
April 21, 2026
Publication Date
-
Submission Date
February 20, 2026
Acceptance Date
April 8, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication
APA
Bodur, T., Yeşiltaş, M. C., & Eldemir, B. (2026). Dynamic multiplex PCR: A pioneering approach to rapid, cost-effective, and high-quality microsatellite fragment analysis. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1893780
AMA
1.Bodur T, Yeşiltaş MC, Eldemir B. Dynamic multiplex PCR: A pioneering approach to rapid, cost-effective, and high-quality microsatellite fragment analysis. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33988/auvfd.1893780
Chicago
Bodur, Türker, Meryem Cansu Yeşiltaş, and Bahar Eldemir. 2026. “Dynamic Multiplex PCR: A Pioneering Approach to Rapid, Cost-Effective, and High-Quality Microsatellite Fragment Analysis”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1893780.
EndNote
Bodur T, Yeşiltaş MC, Eldemir B (April 1, 2026) Dynamic multiplex PCR: A pioneering approach to rapid, cost-effective, and high-quality microsatellite fragment analysis. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]T. Bodur, M. C. Yeşiltaş, and B. Eldemir, “Dynamic multiplex PCR: A pioneering approach to rapid, cost-effective, and high-quality microsatellite fragment analysis”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, no. Advanced Online Publication, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1893780.
ISNAD
Bodur, Türker - Yeşiltaş, Meryem Cansu - Eldemir, Bahar. “Dynamic Multiplex PCR: A Pioneering Approach to Rapid, Cost-Effective, and High-Quality Microsatellite Fragment Analysis”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. Advanced Online Publication (April 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1893780.
JAMA
1.Bodur T, Yeşiltaş MC, Eldemir B. Dynamic multiplex PCR: A pioneering approach to rapid, cost-effective, and high-quality microsatellite fragment analysis. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1893780.
MLA
Bodur, Türker, et al. “Dynamic Multiplex PCR: A Pioneering Approach to Rapid, Cost-Effective, and High-Quality Microsatellite Fragment Analysis”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication, Apr. 2026, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1893780.
Vancouver
1.Türker Bodur, Meryem Cansu Yeşiltaş, Bahar Eldemir. Dynamic multiplex PCR: A pioneering approach to rapid, cost-effective, and high-quality microsatellite fragment analysis. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Apr. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33988/auvfd.1893780