Polymerase Chain Reaction. PCR... Whaaaat? Founded by Kary Mullis in 1984 He wished to bracket the desired section of DNA with primers and copy the desired.

Polymerase Chain Reaction

PCR... Whaaaat?

• Founded by Kary Mullis in 1984

• He wished to bracket the desired section of DNA with primers and copy the desired fragment with DNA polymerase.

• Essentially “Genetic Photocopying”

The “Deets”

Ta• Primers • Taq polymerase --> High

Temperatures•  Free nucleotides

Besides DNA, there are 3 main ingredients::

Cycle 1• A temperature "yoyo"• Taq polymerase --> 3' - 5'

The "Deets" (cont'd)Cycle 2 - repeat cycle 1 :)- 4 copies of target DNA

Cycle 3 - exactly like cycles 1 and 2- 8 copies of target DNANote** only 2 of these copies are of the target fragment on its own.   

After 32 cycles of PCR there will be:

4 294 967 296 

copies of target DNA 

What the Cycles Look Like

Works Cited

“Polymerase Chain Reaction.” Contexo.info. Web Page. 19 Nov 2010.• http://www.contexo.info/DNA_Basics/polymerase_chain_reaction.htm. • “PCR.” Enigma Diagnostics. 2009. Web Page. 28 Nov 2010. • http://www.enigmadiagnostics.com/template2.php?page=technology.php&m=2. • “The Polymerase Chain Reaction.” Sumanasinc.com. Web Page. 19 Nov 2010.• http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/pcr.html. • “Polymerase Chain Reaction.” Genetics Wiki. 30 Sept 2009. Web Page. 19 Nov 2010.• http://wiki.cstl.semo.edu/agathman/PCR.ashx • “Scientist Develops Salmonella Test That Makes Food Safer, Reduces Recalls.” Meat • and Poultry Online. 24 Nov 2010. Web Page. 25 Nov 2010. • http://www.meatandpoultryonline.com/article.mvc/Scientist-Develops- Salmonella-Test-

0001?atc~c=771+s=773+r=001+l=a&VNETCOOKIE=NO.• “Using molecular marker technology in studies on plant genetic diversity: DNA-based • technologies; PCR based technologies: PCR basics. Cornell University. 2003. • Web Page. 28 Nov 2010. • www.bioversityinternational.org/.../MolMarkers%20Vol1%20III%20PCR%20basics.pdf.• “What is a Thermal Cycler.” Thermal Cycler. Web Page. 28 Nov 2010. • http://thermalcycler.net/.

3 Major Steps

Each Cycle of Polymerase Chain Reaction can be split into 3 basic steps:

         Step 1: Denaturation

Step 2: Annealing

Step 3: Extension

Further Explanation  

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/pcr.html

Heavy Machinery

• Thermal Cycler is used in the lab to make large numbers of DNA fragments

Look Familiar Much?

• DNA replication and PCR are very similar....they both:

• need Template stands• Needs polymerase enzyme• Both use primers

Applying PCR to the Real World

• Human Genome Project• DNA Fingerprinting / Forensics • Mutation Screening• Genealogical Testing / Genetic Disorders• Cloning• Detection of viruses (namely HIV and AIDS)

... Just to name a few

PCR in the NEWS!

• Scientist at University of Missouri using PCR to detect salmonella in

eggs and poultry

THE END

And now for your listening pleasure…

http://www.cnpg.com/video/flatfiles/539/