ThermoFisher Copy Number Calculator

Copy Number Formula:

\[ CN = \frac{C \times N_A}{MW} \]

Copy Number (CN):

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1. What is Copy Number Calculation?

The copy number calculation determines the number of molecules per unit volume (typically per liter) based on the concentration and molecular weight of the substance. This is particularly useful in molecular biology and biochemistry for quantifying DNA, RNA, or protein samples.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the copy number formula:

\[ CN = \frac{C \times N_A}{MW} \]

Where:

\( CN \) — Copy number (dimensionless)
\( C \) — Concentration in g/L
\( N_A \) — Avogadro's number (6.022 × 10²³ /mol)
\( MW \) — Molecular weight in g/mol

Explanation: The equation converts mass concentration to molecular count by accounting for the size of each molecule (MW) and using Avogadro's number to relate grams to molecules.

3. Importance of Copy Number

Details: Accurate copy number determination is crucial for PCR setup, next-generation sequencing library preparation, and other applications where precise molecular quantities are needed.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter concentration in g/L and molecular weight in g/mol. Both values must be positive numbers. The result represents the number of molecules per liter.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for concentration?
A: The calculator requires concentration in grams per liter (g/L). If your concentration is in other units (e.g., ng/μL), convert it to g/L first.

Q2: How do I find molecular weight?
A: For DNA/RNA, MW can be calculated from sequence length (average MW of a nucleotide pair is ~660 g/mol). For proteins, use the amino acid sequence or published values.

Q3: Why is Avogadro's number used?
A: Avogadro's number (6.022 × 10²³) converts between moles (a chemical quantity) and individual molecules.

Q4: Can I calculate molecules per microliter?
A: Yes, divide the result by 1,000,000 to convert from molecules/L to molecules/μL.

Q5: Is this calculation specific to ThermoFisher products?
A: While commonly used with ThermoFisher reagents, this calculation is universal for any molecular biology application requiring copy number determination.