1. What is DNA Copy Number Calculation?

The DNA copy number calculation determines the number of DNA molecules in a given volume based on concentration, volume, and molecular weight. This is essential for applications like qPCR, sequencing, and molecular biology experiments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the DNA copy number formula:

Where:

• \( C \) — DNA concentration (ng/μL)
• \( V \) — Volume (μL)
• \( MW \) — Molecular weight (g/mol)
• \( 6.022 \times 10^{23} \) — Avogadro's number
• \( 10^9 \) — Conversion factor (ng to g)

Explanation: The equation converts mass concentration to molar concentration, then calculates the number of molecules using Avogadro's number.

3. Importance of Copy Number Calculation

Details: Accurate copy number determination is crucial for quantitative experiments, ensuring proper template amounts for reactions, and standardizing experimental conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter concentration in ng/μL, volume in μL, and molecular weight in g/mol. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine molecular weight?
A: For plasmids, calculate from sequence length (MW ≈ 660 g/mol per base pair). For primers, use online calculators.

Q2: Why is Avogadro's number used?
A: It converts between molar quantity and actual number of molecules (1 mole = 6.022×10²³ molecules).

Q3: What's a typical copy number range for qPCR?
A: Standard curves often range from 10¹ to 10⁶ copies/μL, depending on application.

Q4: Does this work for RNA too?
A: Yes, but use RNA molecular weight (average ~340 g/mol per nucleotide).

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's theoretically precise, but actual experimental results may vary due to measurement errors.