millions or even billions of copies of a specific DNA segment.
This method relies on the use
of primers, a heat-stable DNA polymerase (commonly Taq polymerase), and a thermocycler
to perform repeated cycles of heating and cooling. The PCR process involves three main
steps:
1. Denaturation (94–98°C): The double-stranded DNA is heated to separate it into
single strands, breaking the hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases.
2. Annealing (50–65°C): The temperature is lowered to allow primers to bind to
specific sequences on each single-stranded DNA template. Primers are short, single-
stranded DNA sequences that are complementary to the regions flanking the target
DNA segment.
3. Extension (72°C): Taq polymerase synthesizes a new DNA strand by adding
nucleotides complementary to the template strand, starting from the primer. This
results in the formation of two double-stranded DNA molecules from the original
template.
These three steps are repeated in 20-40 cycles, exponentially increasing the amount of target
DNA with each cycle. After 30 cycles, for example, PCR can yield over a billion copies of
the target DNA.
Uses of PCR in Research and Forensics
PCR has a wide range of applications in both scientific research and forensic science:
Genetic Research and Diagnostics: PCR is used to amplify DNA for sequencing,
studying gene expression, and diagnosing genetic mutations and hereditary diseases.
Forensic Science: PCR is crucial for analyzing DNA samples from crime scenes.
Even minute amounts of DNA (e.g., from blood, hair, or skin cells) can be amplified
and analyzed, helping to identify or exclude suspects through DNA profiling.
Medical Diagnostics: PCR can detect the presence of pathogens in medical samples,
such as identifying bacterial or viral infections (e.g., HIV, COVID-19) by amplifying
pathogen DNA or RNA.
Environmental Science: PCR helps detect and study microorganisms in
environmental samples, useful for monitoring biodiversity, water quality, and the
presence of pathogenic microbes.
Evolutionary Biology: Researchers use PCR to amplify and study ancient DNA
samples from archaeological remains, providing insights into evolutionary
relationships and genetic diversity.
