The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique allows for rapid amplification of specific DNA fragments. PCR uses primers, DNA polymerase, and repeated heating and cooling to denature and renature DNA, resulting in exponential accumulation of target sequences. Over 20-30 cycles of denaturation, annealing of primers, and extension by DNA polymerase can produce millions of copies of the target DNA fragment from only a trace amount of starting material. PCR has many applications including pathogen diagnosis, mutation detection, DNA fingerprinting, and research.