The Power of PCR: Applications and Impact

This assignment delves into the significance of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. It highlights PCR's role in revolutionizing disease diagnosis, particularly for microbial and viral infections. The text discusses how PCR enables early detection, identifies specific pathogens, and aids in understanding genetic diseases. Furthermore, it explores applications in criminal investigation, fossil identification, and medical research. The assignment emphasizes the advantages of PCR over traditional methods, citing its speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.

0Running head: POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
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POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Its Application to an Area of Human, Plant or
Animal Science
Introduction
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a popular method used in molecular biology
under the branch of sub atomic science. It duplicates the DNA double helix at an exponential
rate. Here the DNA polymerase replicates the DNA double helix in a chain wise manner from
the 5’ to 3’ direction and hence known as PCR. The concept of PCR was discovered by in the ear
of 1984 by the American chemist, Kary Mullis. Mullis was later awarded with a Nobel Prize for
such a path breaking discovery and was also awarded with Japan Prize for creating PCR in 1993
(Bhat & Emslie, 2016). However the fundamental concept of repeating replication of DNA via
using the DNA polymerase enzyme utilizing DNA polymerase was first depicted by Gobind
Khorana in the year 1971. Advance was constrained by preliminary union and polymerase
decontamination issues (Burke, 2013). PCR is presently a typical and frequently used system as a
the scientific research labs for carrying out several molecular biology experiments including
gene cloning and other assortment of applications (Hayden, 2013). The polymerase chain
response is an effective system and standout as one of the most broadly utilized strategies in sub-
atomic science. It is characterized a speedy, quantified and straightforward process. The PCR
increases a particular DNA double helix present in nano grams into source DNA material micro
grams) that can be quantified through agrose gel electrophoresis. It acts as an excellent process
of DNA magnification when the source of the DNA is small or the amount of the DNA present
for a particular molecular biology research is not adequate for the experiment (Sykes, 1992).

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)
PCR can be considered as speedy process molded inside a simple strategy, which is creating
boundless duplicates for any section of DNA. PCR is thus regarded as one of the most important
logical advancements in the field of scientific research that skill fully meets the superlatives
degree of appreciation like "progressive" and "achievement. From the everyday scientific
requirements for some therapeutic finding in the molecular medicine labs to the hypothetical
findings in the college and the universities to notable criminal investigation in the forensic lab,
PCR has no substitution. It also helps in the forensic identification of the hereditary information
via aiding in the process of DNA fingerprinting. It is can also exponentially magnify any harmed
or ruptured DNA with stringent accuracy and thus further aiding in the forensic analysis. PCR
provides another level of accuracy and unwavering quality.
Moreover, several vital promises towards the utilization and further improvement of the
stringency of the PCR have been made. This paper has been aimed with an endeavor to audit the
basic nuts and bolts that are associated with PCR. Fundamental idea of PCR is straightforward, it
is a chain reaction. Here, DNA double helix is used to generate two duplicates, and the 4 and
then 8 and the exponential multiplication continues as per the desired cycle adjusted into the
PCR machine. This limitless exponential multiplication of the DNA double helix done by one of
the principal enzyme involved in the DNA replication, DNA polymerase. DNA polymerase with
the help of the compatible deoxynucleotide triphosphate (DNTPs) extends the chain of reaction
is an exponential manner, building pieces to shape long sub-atomic strands. The required of the
DNTPs is due to the fact that, to carry out the process of chain reaction or to stitch the DNA into
a long chain, the DNA polymerases require building blocks and this building blocks are DNTPs.
DNA is compose of two purine and two pyramid base and this are adenine (A) and guanine (G)

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)
(purine bases) thyamine (T) and cytosine (C) (pyrimidine). Here adenosine pair with thymine
with two hydrogen bonds and cytosine pair with guanine with three hydrogen bonds. Now to
carry forward the process of replication, the DNTPS (ATP, CTP, TTP and GTP) needs a
template and this template is served by the small section of DNA. The polymerase enzyme takes
original DNA strands as the template and utilizes the DNTPs as the bricks to extend the stand in
an exponential manner in both the strands of the opposite polarity as the complementation. In the
event that these three fixings are provided, the chemicals will develop complementary duplicates
of the formats. PCR strategy can also be used to magnify a specific portion DNA duplex of
interest via using primer for that particular portion. Here the prime is share complement
sequences with that of the target DNA site and it is the place where the DNA polymerase binds.
Thus PCR can also be defined a method that is specifically used for opening up a specific section
of DNA of interest. The portion may amplify little piece of a complex DNAs like a particular
region coding for the exon of a human gene family. Thus proving the relevance of the PCR as an
atomic printer. PCR can open up a usable measure of DNA (noticeable by gel electrophoresis) in
~2 hours. The portion of the DNA amplified with the help of the PCR can be isolated out via
running the PCR gel into the agarose gel electrophoresis and then can be cloned with the help of
the specific primer. The stability and the capacity of the PCR depend on the stability of the DNA
polymerase at the heating temperature and proper annealing of the primer with the DNA
polymerase at the annealing temperature. PCR has changed the concept that all examinations
requiring the control of DNA sections might be executed because of its effortlessness and
usefulness (Bhat & Emslie, 2016). Chemical was utilized as a part of vitro in Mullis' unique PCR
process. The double stranded DNA was warm at a temperature of 96 degree centrigrade this lead
to the unwinding of the DNA double helix via a breakage of the hydrogen bond in between the

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)
adjacent purine and the pyrimidine base and this leads to the generation two single strands.
However, the Mullis' unique PCR process was exceptionally wasteful since it required a lot of
time as it requires a huge amount of DNA-Polymerase and huge lot of effort and time (Hayden,
2013). Now, in order to maintain the specificity of the DNA polymerase at such a high
temperature, the DNA polymerase of hot spring bacteria is being used.
Applications of PCR
PCR is helps in the examination and determination in a number of gene related diseases.
Indeed contending methods, for example, DNA chips frequently require intensification of DNA
and this intensification is also done by PCR. Here the PCR acts as the fundamental preparatory
step. Moreover, a wide range of researchers are using polymerase chain response and is
consistently expanding the scope of the logical disciplines in the field of molecular biology. The
expansion towards the PCR innovation to evaluate the concept of productive DNA utilization
and the turnaround transcriptase to assess RNA levels has continuously conveyed significant
advances in the field of PCR utilization. The procedures have given noteworthy comprehension
by permitting the assurance and measurement of the changes in quality articulation. The
procedures have also led to establishment of new diagnostic concept giving more fundamental
basis on human research (Hayden, 2013). In the field of microbiology and sub-atomic science the
PCR is widely utilized in the research laboratories as a pillar of DNA cloning systems, Southern
blotting, DNA sequencing, recombinant DNA technology are some of the associated molecular
biology techniques that are inherently linked with PCR. In the field of clinical microbiology,
PCR is used in the research centers as an important tool for analysis the origin of genetic disease,

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)
the gene responsible for the microbial diseases like the gene in the bacteria that promotes the
passage of the bacteria (via flagella) inside the human cell via cell adhesion protein. Moreover,
PCR is also used in the epidemiological investigations for study of the fossiled gene. PCR is
additionally utilized in the forensic department for criminology research. It helps in the proper
identification of the criminal via identifying the DNA fingerprint from a single blood drop, nail
or single string of hair that has been left behind at the site of occurrence of the crime. Truth be
told, a number of trials utilizing PCR for discovery of an expansive scope of microbes in CSF
examples have been reported (Corbisier, 2012).
Clostridium pneumoniae is troublesome in clinical research, the advent of PCR has given
assurance of this bacterium in several clinical studies. The settled PCR is one of the conventional
discoveries in the field of microbiology for the genetic evaluation of the microbes in clinical
research (Devonshire, 2015). Subjective PCR is utilized to identify human qualities as well as the
genetic properties of the microbes causing fatal infectious disease. The discovery of the
pathogens is thus considered as one of the most imperative restorative utilizations of the
traditional PCR strategy. Moreover, virus has RNA as their sole genetic material as opposed to
DNA in the microbes and in humans. In such cases the viral genome is first undergone reverse
transcription via reverse transcriptase PCR (RT PCR) (RNA to DNA) and then standard PCR is
done to expand the single stranded DNA. Identification of the viral genome is also important as
once in a while it is important to identify pathogen that resides outside the body (Griffiths, Burke
&Emslie, 2011). PCR is used as the identification test for the herpes simplex infection, varicella-
zoster infection, and the skin warts or vaginal infection associated with the human Papilloma
virus. Luckily, the PCR technique can identify DNA, the genetic material of microorganisms in

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)
any form and regardless of their occurrence whether residing inside the body liquids, foodstuffs
or in the drinking water. Quantitative PCR gives extra data of the past insignificant discoveries
associated with DNA. This data is required in various applications in the medical research for the
development of the effective medicines. Another essential utilization of quantitative PCR lies in
the domain of atomic finding. The atomic finding is the analysis of infections done in the light of
the sub-atomic discoveries instead of taking physiological side effects into account. Of lately,
PCR is used for the analytic employments amounting to tests for hereditary ailments, growths,
and different irresistible sicknesses (Dong, 2015). Another important application of quantitative
PCR is it is used the diagnosis of AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). PCR can
identify the AIDS sooner. PCR is successful in detecting AIDS during the initial stage only
(couple of weeks) in comparison to ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay).
Conclusion
The advancement in the field of science has changed our lives in several ways. PCR has
rapidly turned into a fundamental instrument for early detection of several deadly microbial and
viral diseases affecting mankind for years. PCR has a solution for the microbial disease, viral
disease, criminal detection fossil identification and thus providing promising approach in
medical research. PCr utilize modern strategy, gives fast results and is cost effective. One can't
rebate its utilitarian preferences which are numerous contrasted with the current customary
demonstrative techniques.

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)
Reference List
Bhat, S., and Emslie, K. R. (2016). Digital polymerase chain reaction for characterisation of
DNA reference materials. Biomolecular Detection and Quantification, 10, 47–49.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bdq.2016.04.001
Burke, D.G. (2013). Digital polymerase chain reaction measured pUC19 marker as calibrant for
HPLC measurement of DNA quantity. Anal. Chem.85(3):1657–1664.
Corbisier P. (2012). CCQM-K86/P113.1: relative quantification of genomic DNA fragments
extracted from a biological tissue. Metrologia. 2012;49
Devonshire A.S. (2015). Highly reproducible absolute quantification of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis complex by digital PCR. Anal. Chem. 87(7):3706–3713
Dong L. (2015). Comparison of four digital PCR platforms for accurate quantification of DNA
copy number of a certified plasmid DNA reference material. Sci. Rep. 5:13174.
Griffiths K.R., Burke D.G., Emslie K.R. (2011). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction: a
framework for improving the quality of results and estimating uncertainty of measurement. Anal.
Methods. 3:2201–2211.

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)
Hayden R.T. (2013). Comparison of droplet digital PCR to real-time PCR for quantitative
detection of cytomegalovirus. J. Clin. Microbiol. 51:540–546.
Sykes P.J. (1992).Quantitation of targets for PCR by use of limiting
dilution. Biotechniques. 1992;13:444–449.