Find the task sequence to amplify DNA.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
PCR is a method for repeatedly amplifying a specific gene sequence from a small DNA sample.
PCR goes through three basic steps.
- DNA denaturation
Heat to about 90°C to 96°C to separate the two strands of DNA. The isolated DNA act as a template. - Primer annealing
Lower the temperature to 55℃ ~ 65℃ and bind the primer to the end of the sequence to be amplified. - DNA extension
A new duplicate double-stranded DNA molecule has been formed from each of the single strands.
By repeating the above three steps, the target DNA increases exponentially. (Increase by two times for each repetition)
This method is widely used in medicine, forensics, and biotechnology.
In particular, it gained public recognition as it was actively used to detect COVID-19, which began to become prevalent in early 2020.