Notes:
Chelex is notorious for being as fickle as it is cheap and easy. Here are some tips for good
amplifications:
1. Sometimes samples work best if used immediately. Sometimes it is better to wait
overnight before using them. Experiment and find what works for your species. Results
can vary by taxa and by individuals.
2. When doing initial PCRs, do a serial dilution of template. The amount of a Chelex DNA
extraction used in a PCR can be as high as half of the volume of the PCR or as low as 1
microliter of a 1:10,000 dilution. I find that 1 microliter of a 1:1 is good for most
applications, but if your PCR doesn’t work initially, vary template concentration.