Surmounting a PCR challenge using a Contradictory matrix from the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ)

Jiří Drábek

doi:10.1186/s40064-015-1577-3

Surmounting a PCR challenge using a Contradictory matrix from the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ)

Springerplus. 2016 Jan 20:5:56. doi: 10.1186/s40064-015-1577-3. eCollection 2016.

Author

Jiří Drábek¹

Affiliation

¹ Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacký University, Teaching Hospital Olomouc, Hněvotínská 5, 779 00 Olomouc, The Czech Republic.

Abstract

In this paper I tested whether Contradictory Matrix with 40 Inventive Principles, the simplest instrument from the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), is a useful approach to a real-life PCR scenario. The PCR challenge consisted of standardization of fluorescence melting curve measurements in Competitive Amplification of Differentially Melting Amplicons (CADMA) PCR for multiple targets. Here I describe my way of using the TRIZ Matrix to generate seven alternative solutions from which I can choose the successful solution, consisting of repeated cycles of amplification and melting in a single PCR run.

Keywords: CADMA PCR; Contradictory matrix; Invention; TRIZ.