Biochemical Techniques and Instrumentation

6.1.1. Introduction

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique used to amplify a single piece of DNA to generate millions of copies of DNA. This method is a common technique used in medical and biological research laboratories for a variety of applications such as DNA cloning, DNA-based phylogeny, genetic fingerprinting and diagnosis of diseases. This technique was developed by Kary Mullis, in 1983 and he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, in 1993.