2. Fast/inexpensive
way to copy small
segments of DNA
“Amplifies”-Copies-
Small segments of
DNA
Heralded as one of
the most important
scientific advances
in molecular
biology
3. Mapping techniques in the Human Genome
Project
DNA fingerprinting
Detection of bacteria and viruses
Diagnostics of genetic disorders
4. 1. DNA sample is heated to separate it
2. “Taq Polymerse” builds two new stands of
DNA
3. This results in a replica of the original DNA
4. This process can be repeated 30-40 times
◦ Can create millions of copies of the original DNA
5. This process is completed in a few hours
6. Discovered in the 1980’s by Kary Mullis
◦ Won Nobel Peace Prize in Chemistry later because of PCR
Started to get attention from scientist across
America
5000+ Scientific papers wrote about it
Became commonly used to detect certain
diseases
Now commonly used in many medical research
applications
◦ DNA cloning
◦ Diagnostics of hereditary diseases
◦ Identification of genetic fingerprinting
7. HIV-1(Causes AID’s)
Hepatitis B and C
Human Papilloma Virus
Chlamydia
Neisseria Gonorreae
Many other diseases
8. May be used in predicative test methods for
figuring out who is predisposed to common
disorders such as:
◦ Heart Disease
◦ Cancer
9. In conclusion the Polymerase Chain Reaction is
a very helpful way to replicate DNA and
diagnose certain diseases. It is a very realizable
way to test and analyze the DNA and is also
very efficient in the sense that it only takes a
few hours.
10. "PCR Fact Sheet." PCR Fact Sheet. 27 Feb. 2012. Web. 23 May 2012.
<http://www.genome.gov/10000207>.
"Applications of PCR." Applications of PCR. Roche. Web. 23 May 2012.
<http://molecular.roche.com/About/pcr/Pages/Applicationsof
PCR.aspx>.
"History and Development of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)."
History of PCR. Web. 23 May 2012.
<http://www.molecularstation.com/pcr/history-of-pcr/>.
