ABSTRACT
Since the invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR),1,2 researchers have been busily applying this versatile technique to their individual purposes. Optimization of the reaction seems simple; a maximally active reaction only requires the proper conditions (correct pH, salts, temperature, and divalent cation concentrations) and a suitable substrate at saturating levels. Despite this, researchers have found it desirable to test many different additives to increase the efciency of their amplication protocol. This chapter contains a review of the original literature to describe the effects and limitations imparted by PCR adjuncts.
