POLYMERASE

CHAIN
REACTION
By Wardina Nur Nabiha

INTRODUCTION
Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) is a
laboratory techniques for rapidly
producing copies of a segment of
DNA.The discovery and development of
PCR has significantly contributed to the
advancement of molecular biology

DISCOVERY OF PCR
Discovery of PCR started in 1953 ,when Watson and Crick
model of DNA has shown the possibility of a copying
mechanism for DNA. In 1971,Kiell Kleppe envisioned the use
of a two-primer system which help in replication of desired
DNA segment. In 1983,Cary Mullis which known as the Cary
father of PCR used Sanger’s DNA sequencing in 1977 Mullis
method by adding a second primer to the opposite strand
and realized that repeated use of DNA polymerase will
trigger a chain reaction that will amplify a specific DNA
segment resulting to discovery of PCR technology. After
two years, Susanne Stoffel and David Gelfand from Cetus
successfully isolated Tag DNA Polymerase and Rand Sark’s
experiments proved that Tag Polymerase ideal for PCR
process. At the same year, PCR was used to quantify the
HIV in blood .In October of 1985, PCR was used to analyze
sickle cell anemia as a first clinical application. At
last,today PCR was used by diverse fields such as forensic
science,diagnostic medicine and others.

SIGNIFICANCE OF PCR
PCR have many significance for Molecular
Biology,mainly to allows rapid amplification of a
specific segment of DNA. PCR makes billions of
copies of a specific DNA fragment or gene, which
allows detection and identification of gene
sequences using visual techniques based on size and
charge.For example PCR help in Forensic
Science,such as DNA Fingerprinting to help
incriminate suspects in a crime
investigation.Lastly,PCR used in infectious disease
detection and identification like ampliflying RNA
helps to make traces of the COVID-19 virus visible
in the test sample

REFERENCES:
1. HTTPS://WWW.NEWS-MEDICAL.NET/LIFE-SCIENCES/HISTORY-OF-POLYMERASE-
CHAIN-REACTION-(PCR).ASPX
2. HTTPS://INFO.GBIOSCIENCES.COM/BLOG/BID/172095/POLYMERASE-CHAIN-
REACTION-WHAT-IMPORTANCE-DOES-IT-HOLD
3. HTTPS://WWW.MOLECULARCLOUD.ORG/P/WHY-AND-HOW-THE-PCR-TECHNIQUE-GOT-
INVENTED