1. By: Brian Zaller

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

5. The Polymerase Chain Reaction

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/>.