The TaqMan® is a probe containing 3'-TAMRA as quencher and 5'-6-FAM as reporter. Upon excitation, the reporter molecule of the probe emits light near the range of optimal excitation of TAMRA. The TAMRA molecule absorbs the energy and the signal from the reporter is masked (quenched). During the primer extension phase of the PCR, the reporter is cleaved by the endonuclease action of the polymerase. The reporter is released into solution and its fluorescence is detected and quantified. Reporter molecules such as 6-FAM, TET and Yakima Yellow (substitute for VIC) are available from CyberGene and are frequently used in conjunction with the TAMRA quencher in a TaqMan® assay.

TaqMan® is a registered trademark of Applied Biosystems.