BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOMEDICAL TUTORIAL-PCR, RFLP Analysis & Gene Therapy
The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Can Make Millions of Copies of DNA in a Short Time
- The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a rapid way of amplifying (duplicating) specific DNA sequences
- Method was devised by Kary Mullis of Cetus Corporation, Emeryville
- He recieved a $20,000 bonus and later a Nobel Prize
- Later the patent was sold to Hoffman-LaRoche for $300,000,000
- DNA heated to high temperature is not destroyed; separates into single strands, but reforms helix when cooled
- PCR Method:
- DNA to be amplified is put into solution containing:
- Short DNA “primers” which can bind to the 3′ ends of the DNA
- DNA to be amplified is put into solution containing: