ditions and analysis method before running the first PCr reaction In the long run, you will save time and resources. This chapter provides practical guidelines and references to in- depth information. Other useful information is added in the Appendix to help you navigate through various tools available in today's market DEVELOPING A PCR STRATEGY: THE PROJECT STAGE Assess Your needs First ask yourself what outcome you need to achieve to feel suc cessful with your experiment(Table 11.1). What kind of informa tion do you need to get? Is it qualitative or quantitative? Are you tting up a routine analysis to run for the next two years, or is this for the manuscript you need to send to the editor in a hurry in order for your paper to get accepted? Your priorities will help you choose the method that best fits your needs. Table 11.2a shows an example of a list for a researcher who needs to develop a PCr method where approximately 48 genes will be studied for relative gene expression in response to various drug treatments to be given over a three-year period. In contrast Table 11.2b shows a list of a scientist who wishes to clone a gene with two different mRNA forms generated by alternative splicing Table II. Priority Check List High/Medium/Low Quantitative Sensitivity Fidelity High-throughput Reproducibility Cost-sensitive Long PCR product Limited available starting material Short template size Gel based Simple method tivity iny Automated DNA PCR RNA PCR Itiple samples Mul PCR 293ditions and analysis method before running the first PCR reaction. In the long run, you will save time and resources. This chapter provides practical guidelines and references to in￾depth information. Other useful information is added in the Appendix to help you navigate through various tools available in today’s market. DEVELOPING A PCR STRATEGY:THE PROJECT STAGE Assess Your Needs First ask yourself what outcome you need to achieve to feel suc￾cessful with your experiment (Table 11.1). What kind of informa￾tion do you need to get? Is it qualitative or quantitative? Are you setting up a routine analysis to run for the next two years, or is this for the manuscript you need to send to the editor in a hurry in order for your paper to get accepted? Your priorities will help you choose the method that best fits your needs. Table 11.2a shows an example of a list for a researcher who needs to develop a PCR method where approximately 48 genes will be studied for relative gene expression in response to various drug treatments to be given over a three-year period. In contrast, Table 11.2b shows a list of a scientist who wishes to clone a gene with two different mRNA forms generated by alternative splicing PCR 293 Table 11.1 Priority Check List Objectives High/Medium/Low Quantitative Sensitivity Fidelity High-throughput Reproducibility Cost-sensitive Long PCR product Limited available starting material Short template size Gel based Simple method Nonradioactivity involved Automated Long-term project DNA PCR RNA PCR Multiple samples Multiplex