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PCR Enzymes & Master Mixes
Choose from a variety of PCR enzymes and reagents for your applications, with the flexibility needed to perform your experiments. With PCR enzymes you know and trust, such as, Applied Biosystems AmpliTaq and AmpliTaq Gold, Invitrogen Platinum II Taq , and Platinum SuperFi II DNA polymerases, we have what it takes for successful PCR.
Interactive enzyme selection tool: quickly find the DNA polymerase you need for your PCR!
Compare PCR enzyme and master mix by PCR type
To increase specificity and yield
| Platinum II Taq Hot-Start DNA Polymerase | AmpliTaq Gold 360 DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-start technology | Antibody | Chemical |
| Enzyme activation time | 2 min | 10 min |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes | No |
| DNA synthesis speed | 15 sec/kb | 60 sec/kb |
| Flexible extension step* | Yes | No |
| Inhibitor tolerance | Yes | No |
| Amplification length | Up to 5 kb | Up to 5 kb |
| GC-rich format | Yes | Yes |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless† | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green** | Colorless |
| * The extension step can be extended up to 60 sec/kb without the effect of specificity. ** Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. † Green buffer available as separate item for use with stand-alone enzyme. | ||
Note: The original Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase is available in the formats of stand alone, stand alone with gel-loading dyes, master mix, and master mix with gel-loading dyes.
Its comparison with the newer Platinum II Taq DNA Polymerase can be found here.
For when sequence accuracy is critical
| Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase High Fidelity | |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | >300x | 6x |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes | Yes |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes | No |
| Amplification length | Up to 20 kb* | Up to 20 kb |
| Amplicon overhangs | Blunt | 3′ A/Blunt |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes | No |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green** | Colorless |
| * Amplification of >20 kb fragment sizes is possible (up to 40 kb), but may require additional optimization of reaction conditions and primer design. ** Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | ||
For robust yields of templates longer than 10 kb
| Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|
| Amplification length | Up to 20 kb* |
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | >300x |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes |
| DNA synthesis speed | 15–30 sec/kb |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green** |
| * Amplification of >20 kb fragment sizes is possible (up to 40 kb), but may require additional optimization of reaction conditions and primer design. ** Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | |
White paper
To amplify multiple targets in one reaction
| Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | Platinum Multiplex PCR Master Mix | |
|---|---|---|
| No. of amplicons in single reaction | Up to 15-plex | Up to 20-plex |
| Amplification length | Up to 2.5 kb | Up to 2.5 kb |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes | Yes |
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | >300x | 1x |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes | No |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes | No |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless | |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green* | Colorless |
| * Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | ||
Application note
To amplify DNA sequences with >65% GC content
| Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | Platinum II Taq DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | >300x | 1x |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes | Yes |
| Efficient amplification of >65% GC sequences | Yes | Yes |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes | Yes |
| Speed | 15–30 sec/kb | 15 sec/kb |
| Amplification length | Up to 20 kb | Up to 5 kb |
| Amplicon overhangs | Blunt | 3′ A |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green* | Colorless Green* |
| * Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | ||
To amplify target DNA directly from samples without DNA purification
| Platinum Direct PCR Universal Master Mix | |
|---|---|
| Works across samples of various origins | Yes |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes |
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | 1x |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes |
| Amplification length | Up to 8 kb* |
| Speed | 20 sec/kb |
| Stand-alone enzyme | N/A |
| Master mix format | Green** |
| * Using the lysis protocol. ** Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | |
Application note
For accurate detection and identification of microbiome composition by
16S rRNA genes
| Platinum II Taq DNA Polymerase | Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase, DNA-free | Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial gDNA copy per 50 μL rxn | ≤1 copy | ≤0.01 copy | ≤1 copy |
| Human gDNA copy per 50 μL rxn | ≤0.2 copy | ≤0.001 copy | ≤0.3 copy |
| DNA synthesis speed | 15 sec/kb | 60 sec/kb | 15–30 sec/kb |
| Inhibitor tolerance | Yes | No | Yes |
| Amplification length | Up to 5 kb | Up to 5 kb | Up to 20 kb |
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | 1x | 1x | >300x |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Universal primer annealing | Yes | No | Yes |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless | Colorless | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green* | Colorless Green* | |
| * Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | |||
Flyer
Application notes
Poster
Data
For everyday PCR amplification
| DreamTaq DNA Polymerase | Invitrogen Taq DNA Polymerase | AmpliTaq DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-start modification | No | No | No |
| Amplification length | Up to 6 kb | Up to 5 kb | Up to 5 kb |
| 5′→ 3′ exonuclease activity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Amplicon overhangs | 3′ A | 3′ A | 3′ A |
| dUTP incorporation | No | Yes | Yes |
| DNA synthesis speed | 1 min/kb | 1 min/kb | 1 min/kb |
| Format with the native enzyme* | Available | ||
| Format for low bacterial DNA | Available | ||
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless Green** | Colorless | Colorless |
| Master mix/SuperMix format | Colorless Green** | Colorless | |
| * Purified from the host Thermus aquaticus, not expressed in a bacterial system. ** Contains electrophoresis dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | |||
To increase specificity and yield
| Platinum II Taq Hot-Start DNA Polymerase | AmpliTaq Gold 360 DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-start technology | Antibody | Chemical |
| Enzyme activation time | 2 min | 10 min |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes | No |
| DNA synthesis speed | 15 sec/kb | 60 sec/kb |
| Flexible extension step* | Yes | No |
| Inhibitor tolerance | Yes | No |
| Amplification length | Up to 5 kb | Up to 5 kb |
| GC-rich format | Yes | Yes |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless† | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green** | Colorless |
| * The extension step can be extended up to 60 sec/kb without the effect of specificity. ** Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. † Green buffer available as separate item for use with stand-alone enzyme. | ||
Note: The original Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase is available in the formats of stand alone, stand alone with gel-loading dyes, master mix, and master mix with gel-loading dyes.
Its comparison with the newer Platinum II Taq DNA Polymerase can be found here.
For when sequence accuracy is critical
| Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase High Fidelity | |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | >300x | 6x |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes | Yes |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes | No |
| Amplification length | Up to 20 kb* | Up to 20 kb |
| Amplicon overhangs | Blunt | 3′ A/Blunt |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes | No |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green** | Colorless |
| * Amplification of >20 kb fragment sizes is possible (up to 40 kb), but may require additional optimization of reaction conditions and primer design. ** Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | ||
For robust yields of templates longer than 10 kb
| Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|
| Amplification length | Up to 20 kb* |
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | >300x |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes |
| DNA synthesis speed | 15–30 sec/kb |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green** |
| * Amplification of >20 kb fragment sizes is possible (up to 40 kb), but may require additional optimization of reaction conditions and primer design. ** Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | |
White paper
To amplify multiple targets in one reaction
| Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | Platinum Multiplex PCR Master Mix | |
|---|---|---|
| No. of amplicons in single reaction | Up to 15-plex | Up to 20-plex |
| Amplification length | Up to 2.5 kb | Up to 2.5 kb |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes | Yes |
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | >300x | 1x |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes | No |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes | No |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless | |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green* | Colorless |
| * Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | ||
Application note
To amplify DNA sequences with >65% GC content
| Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | Platinum II Taq DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | >300x | 1x |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes | Yes |
| Efficient amplification of >65% GC sequences | Yes | Yes |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes | Yes |
| Speed | 15–30 sec/kb | 15 sec/kb |
| Amplification length | Up to 20 kb | Up to 5 kb |
| Amplicon overhangs | Blunt | 3′ A |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green* | Colorless Green* |
| * Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | ||
To amplify target DNA directly from samples without DNA purification
| Platinum Direct PCR Universal Master Mix | |
|---|---|
| Works across samples of various origins | Yes |
| Universal annealing temperature of 60°C | Yes |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes |
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | 1x |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes |
| Amplification length | Up to 8 kb* |
| Speed | 20 sec/kb |
| Stand-alone enzyme | N/A |
| Master mix format | Green** |
| * Using the lysis protocol. ** Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | |
Application note
For accurate detection and identification of microbiome composition by
16S rRNA genes
| Platinum II Taq DNA Polymerase | Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase, DNA-free | Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial gDNA copy per 50 μL rxn | ≤1 copy | ≤0.01 copy | ≤1 copy |
| Human gDNA copy per 50 μL rxn | ≤0.2 copy | ≤0.001 copy | ≤0.3 copy |
| DNA synthesis speed | 15 sec/kb | 60 sec/kb | 15–30 sec/kb |
| Inhibitor tolerance | Yes | No | Yes |
| Amplification length | Up to 5 kb | Up to 5 kb | Up to 20 kb |
| Fidelity vs. Taq enzyme | 1x | 1x | >300x |
| GC-rich amplification | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hot start for enhanced specificity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Universal primer annealing | Yes | No | Yes |
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless | Colorless | Colorless |
| Master mix format | Colorless Green* | Colorless Green* | |
| * Contains electrophoresis tracking dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | |||
Flyer
Application notes
Poster
Data
For everyday PCR amplification
| DreamTaq DNA Polymerase | Invitrogen Taq DNA Polymerase | AmpliTaq DNA Polymerase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-start modification | No | No | No |
| Amplification length | Up to 6 kb | Up to 5 kb | Up to 5 kb |
| 5′→ 3′ exonuclease activity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Amplicon overhangs | 3′ A | 3′ A | 3′ A |
| dUTP incorporation | No | Yes | Yes |
| DNA synthesis speed | 1 min/kb | 1 min/kb | 1 min/kb |
| Format with the native enzyme* | Available | ||
| Format for low bacterial DNA | Available | ||
| Stand-alone enzyme | Colorless Green** | Colorless | Colorless |
| Master mix/SuperMix format | Colorless Green** | Colorless | |
| * Purified from the host Thermus aquaticus, not expressed in a bacterial system. ** Contains electrophoresis dyes and a density reagent for direct gel loading of PCR products. | |||
Highlights of the latest Platinum DNA polymerases
The new generation of Platinum DNA polymerases is designed with Platinum II buffers, enabling primer annealing at a universal temperature of 60°C, for convenience and simplicity. A combination of the innovative buffers, high-performing enzymes, and reliable hot-start technology offers exceptional PCR results, even in the toughest applications.
Platinum SuperFi II DNA Polymerase
- Less downstream troubleshooting—ultralow sequence errors due to >300x fidelity of Taq enzyme
- Best suited for: cloning, sequencing, mutagenesis
Platinum II Taq Hot-Start DNA Polymerase
- Short PCR cycling time—DNA synthesis at 15 sec/kb
- Best suited for: gene detection, genotyping, qualitative gene expression analysis
Platinum Direct PCR Universal Master Mix
- Simplified workflow—no DNA purification prior to PCR
- Best suited for: genotyping, colony screening
Common benefits of Platinum PCR enzymes
A hot start towards your PCR destinations
Platinum DNA polymerases—designed for exceptional specificity, fidelity, and versatility
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