1. What is DNA Stock Concentration?

DNA stock concentration refers to the amount of DNA (in nanograms) present per microliter of solution. It's a crucial measurement in molecular biology for preparing consistent reactions and experiments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic concentration formula:

Where:

• \( mass \) — Mass of DNA in nanograms (ng)
• \( volume \) — Volume of solution in microliters (µL)

Explanation: The equation calculates how much DNA is present in each microliter of your solution.

3. Importance of DNA Concentration

Details: Accurate DNA concentration measurement is essential for PCR, sequencing, cloning, and other molecular biology techniques where precise DNA amounts are critical.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total mass of DNA in nanograms and the total volume of your solution in microliters. Both values must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical DNA stock concentration?
A: For plasmid DNA, 50-300 ng/µL is common. For genomic DNA, 20-100 ng/µL is typical.

Q2: How do I measure DNA mass?
A: Use a spectrophotometer (Nanodrop) for quick measurements or fluorometric methods (Qubit) for more accurate results.

Q3: Why use ng/µL instead of molarity?
A: ng/µL is more practical for most molecular biology applications, though molarity may be used for specific applications.

Q4: Does this work for RNA too?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to RNA concentration calculations.

Q5: How should I dilute my DNA stock?
A: Use TE buffer or nuclease-free water, and always prepare fresh working dilutions as needed.