Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1+1)

4.1.5. Applications of PCR

• Amplification of small amounts of DNA for further analysis by DNA fingerprinting.

• The analysis of ancient DNA from fossils.

• Mapping the human (and other species) genome.

• The isolation of a particular gene of interest from a tissue sample.

• Generation of probes: large amount of probes can be synthesized by this technique.

• Analysis of mutations: Deletions and insertions in a gene can be detected by differences in size of amplified product.

• Diagnosis of monogenic diseases (single gene disorders)

• Detection of microorganisms: Especially of organisms and viruses that are difficult to culture or take long time to culture or dangerous to culture.

• The PCR has even made it possible to analyze DNA from microscope slides of tissue preserved years before.

• Detection of microbial genes responsible for some aspect of pathogenesis or antibiotic resistance.

• Crucial forensic evidence may often be present in very small quantities, e.g. one human hair, body fluid stain (blood, saliva, semen). PCR can generate sufficient DNA from a single cell.

· The sensitivity of PCR allows the detection of pathogens that would be difficult to identify with conventional techniques.

· PCR is widely used for screening shrimp seed and brood for serious viral pathogens such as WSSV, YHV, IHHNV and TSV.

· PCR is ideal for studies in epidemiology, genotyping, health certification, quarantine and for screening for development of SPF stocks.