Principles and applications of the polymerase chain reaction.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a primer-directed in vitro enzymatic reaction for the production of a specific DNA fragment, has dramatically facilitated molecular biology approaches to fundamental research questions, as well introduced DNA testing into a variety of clinical diagnostic areas. Some of the principles of PCR, several recent advances in PCR technology and selected applications are reviewed. A variety of methods for analyzing allelic sequence diversity in amplified DNA have been developed. Genetic testing of the HLA loci, and other genes encoding cytokines and cytokine receptors, has had a significant impact on disease susceptibility studies and in clinical transplantation.
Department of Human Genetics, Roche Molecular Systems, Alameda, CA 94501, USA. Henry.Erlich@Roche.com
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D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
D006680:HLA Antigens; D004247:DNA