title: Recent advances in the polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has dramatically altered how molecular studies are conducted as well as what questions can be asked. In addition to simplifying molecular tasks typically carried out with the use of recombinant DNA technology, PCR has allowed a spectrum of advances ranging from the identification of novel genes and pathogens to the quantitation of characterized nucleotide sequences. PCR can provide insights into the intricacies of single cells as well as the evolution of species. Some recent developments in instrumentation, methodology, and applications of the PCR are presented in this review.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, Core Technology, Cetus Corporation, Emeryville, CA 94608.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Erlich
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gelfand
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sninsky
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D015870:Gene Expression; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics; D016045:Human Genome Project; D006801:Humans; D005810:Multigene Family; D009154:Mutation; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D009841:Oligonucleotides; D004247:DNA