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Universal primers are really not 'universal' in the sense that they will bind to anything. Universal is kind of a misnomer.
Really, universal primers are PCR/sequencing primers that bind to a sequence found in many plasmid cloning vectors, most of which are derived from pUC vectors (which in turn come from pBR322). These sequences were defined as good PCR and sequencing sites as they flank the multiple cloning site where an inserted DNA sequence would be put. You can now buy these universal primers from various companies.
You can see that these primers are called universal because they can be used to amplify or sequence any insert that is put in the multiple cloning site.
Really, universal primers are PCR/sequencing primers that bind to a sequence found in many plasmid cloning vectors, most of which are derived from pUC vectors (which in turn come from pBR322). These sequences were defined as good PCR and sequencing sites as they flank the multiple cloning site where an inserted DNA sequence would be put. You can now buy these universal primers from various companies.
You can see that these primers are called universal because they can be used to amplify or sequence any insert that is put in the multiple cloning site.
