Biosearch Technologies is part of LGC Diagnostics & Genomics – Learn More
PCR Forge™ Assay Design Software
Take the guess work out of probe and primer design.
PCR Forge is a free, intuitive web-based software providing primer and probe designs for all your PCR needs, from simple PCR to qPCR to SNP genotyping. This powerful design tool has express and fully custom options to suit both novice and expert users. Let PCR Forge find your optimal sequences!
Key features.
- Flexible design options for PCR, qPCR and genotyping (allelic discrimination) assays.
- Supports design of Dual-labeled BHQ®, BHQplus®, BHQnova®, LNA probes and MGB probes and primer pairs.
- Singleplex and multiplex assay design modes.
- Batch mode for efficient, high-throughput assay design. Up to 100 targets.
- Fine-tune your specific design preferences by customizing up to 80 design parameters.
- Save all your assays for easy retrieval, editing and ordering.
- Seamless online ordering with Biosearch Technologies' wide selection of dyes including our very own Black Hole Quencher® (BHQ).
Please sign in to use PCR Forge
Getting started
1. Log in or register to access PCR Forge assay design software.
2. Click "Start new design"
3. Select your PCR application and assay preferences
4. Enter your target sequence
If desired, add a SNP site or annotate the sequence to identify specific regions to target or exclude. Validate the sequence.
5. (Optional) Customise the design parameters
Use default settings or set your specific design preferences.
6. Run the design algorithm and review the results
7. Save and order
Save your assays for convenient future retrieval.
Order assays online or export to our order form.
More powerful features
User-friendly interface with convenient options
- Intuitive design with graphic visualization of results.
- Interactive sequence annotation for refinement of target regions.
- Supports degenerate (wobble) bases in target sequence and oligos.
- Choose from predefined parameter sets (relaxed, moderate, strict) or create and save custom settings.
- Integrated BLAST link to evaluate oligo specificity and detect potential off-target binding sites.
- Import template sequences manually, via file upload, or directly from NCBI using gene name, accession number, or SNP Reference (rs) ID.
Optimize to your specific design requirements
- Multiplex design mode supports up to 5 PCR/qPCR assays or 2 genotyping assays (4 primers and 4 probes).
- Genotyping mode supports assay design for small insertion/deletion mutations (indels).
- Design oligos spanning junctions or incorporate anchored probes or primers.
- Easily select from LGC master mixes or fully customize reaction conditions— including salt, primer, probe, and dNTP concentrations—for optimized thermodynamic calculations
- Advanced algorithms minimize primer-dimer formation, primer–probe interactions, and secondary structures such as hairpins
- Streamline assay design with Progressive Design Mode–an automated workflow that applies iterative design across a series of parameter sets.
Need help with assay design?
Our PCR assay design experts work as an extension of your team—developing optimized assays tailored to your target and experimental conditions.
Learn moreDisclaimer: PCR Forge is a tool for designing probes and primers for PCR applications. While the software uses advanced algorithms to assist in oligo design, we cannot guarantee the performance, accuracy, or suitability of any oligos created using this software. Results may vary depending on experimental conditions, materials, and other factors outside our control. Users assume full responsibility for validating and optimizing oligos for their specific applications. LGC and its affiliates disclaim all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of this software.