Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a laboratory technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences, enabling the production of millions of copies from a small initial sample. It involves repeated cycles of heating and cooling to denature DNA, anneal primers, and extend new strands using a heat-stable DNA polymerase enzyme. This method is fundamental in molecular biology for applications such as DNA cloning, genetic testing, and forensic analysis.
Developers should learn PCR when working in bioinformatics, biotechnology, or computational biology, as it is essential for generating DNA samples for sequencing, diagnostics, or research. It is used in real-time PCR (qPCR) for gene expression analysis, in forensic labs for DNA fingerprinting, and in medical settings for detecting pathogens like viruses. Understanding PCR helps in designing experiments, analyzing genetic data, and developing software for lab automation or data interpretation in genomics.