Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifies DNA by copying the nucleic acid strands numerous times in vitro. PCR depends on the availability of thermostable enzymes in order to cycle between the temperatures needed to melt and anneal the DNA strands. PCR is used for numerous applications including DNA sequencing, cloning, library generations, mutagenesis, expression profiling, and more. PCR requires instrumentation, reagents, and consumables like thermal cyclers, PCR kits, buffers, enzymes, primers, bases, and so forth. In selecting products, it is helpful to work with a vendor that will provide optimized protocols, documentation, and troubleshooting assistance, since the systems can be complex with many sources of error.