Polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

In this chapter, we will learn about the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a phenomenally powerful technique that has applications in many areas of medicine and biology. PCR is central to the development of our understanding of what genes are and how they work. The discovery of DNA was only a prelude to these exciting developments. PCR allows us to target and copy almost any gene in the vast quantities needed to analyse, sequence, or visualize the DNA itself. As well as being an invaluable tool in research into gene expression, genome analysis, and gene cloning, PCR is used routinely in clinical diagnosis and has revolutionized forensic science.