title: Introduction to the polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an in vitro method for the amplification of DNA. Since the introduction of the PCR in 1985, it has become an indispensable technique for many applications in scientific research and clinical and forensic investigations. In this chapter, the principle and setup of PCR, as well as the methods for analyzing PCR products, will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR.
authors.forename: Y M Dennis
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: K C Allen
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004247:DNA