Enter the slope into the calculator to determine the qpcr Efficiency. 

qpcr Efficiency Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the qpcr Efficiency. 

E = -1 + 10 ^ {-1/S}

E = -1 + 10 ^ (-1/S)

  • Where E is the qpcr Efficiency (%)
  • S is the slope 

To calculate the QPCR efficiency, raise 10 to the power of the negative inverse of the slope, then subtract 1 from the result.

How to Calculate qpcr Efficiency?

The following two example problems outline how to calculate the qpcr Efficiency.

Example Problem #1:

  1. First, determine the slope. In this example, the slope is given as 1.5.
  2. Finally, calculate the qpcr Efficiency using the equation above: 

E = -1 + 10 ^ (-1/S)

Inserting the values from above and solving the equation: 

E = -1 + 10 ^ (-1/1.5) = .784 (%)

FAQ

What is qPCR efficiency and why is it important?

qPCR efficiency refers to the effectiveness of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in amplifying DNA. It is important because it affects the accuracy and reliability of the qPCR results, influencing the quantification of DNA samples.

How can the slope of a qPCR curve affect its efficiency?

The slope of the qPCR curve is inversely related to its efficiency. A steeper slope indicates lower efficiency, as it suggests that more cycles are required to amplify the DNA to a detectable level. Conversely, a shallower slope indicates higher efficiency, implying fewer cycles are needed.

Can qPCR efficiency exceed 100%?

Technically, qPCR efficiency should not exceed 100% as it implies that more product is being generated than is theoretically possible under ideal amplification conditions. Efficiencies above 100% usually indicate experimental errors or issues with the reaction setup.