Polymerase chain reaction

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Chemical and Engineering News; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-v068n040.p036· OSTI ID:6368426

Arnhelm, N ^[1]; Levenson, C H ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Southern California, CA (US)
2. Cetus Corp. (US)

This paper discusses the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) an in-vitro method of amplifying DNA sequences. Beginning with DNA of any origin- bacterial, viral, plant, or animal- PCR can increase the amount of a DNA sequence hundreds of millions to billions of times. The procedure can amplify a targeted sequence even when it makes up less than one part in a million of the total initial sample. PCR is an enzymatic process that is carried out in discrete cycles of amplification, each of which can double the amount of target DNA in the sample. Thus, n cycles can produce 2{sup n} times as much target as was present to begin with. This paper discusses how PCR has had an impact on molecular biology, human genetics, infectious and genetic disease diagnosis, forensic science, and evolutionary biology.

• OSTI ID: 6368426
• Journal Information: Chemical and Engineering News; (USA), Vol. 68:40; ISSN 0009-2347
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
DNA POLYMERASES
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
DNA SEQUENCING
GENE AMPLIFICATION
BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS
BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
ENZYME ACTIVITY
GENETICS
IN VITRO
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY IMPACTS
BIOLOGY
ENZYMES
FUNCTIONS
NUCLEOTIDYLTRANSFERASES
PHOSPHORUS-GROUP TRANSFERASES
POLYMERASES
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
TRANSFERASES
550200* - Biochemistry
550400 - Genetics