What you need to know about PCRs
PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is a technique that allows scientists to make as many copies of DNA fragments as they want from as little DNA as there may be in a sample of interest. Since the method’s development in 1983, it has been invaluable in fields such as molecular biology and medicine, enabling researchers to copy even the tiniest samples into large quantities of the desired DNA fragments so that their characteristics can be studied. But what does this mean for you? It means you should know about it! Please keep reading to learn more about PCR and how it works here.
The basics
PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is a test that allows doctors to detect specific genetic mutations in your cancer. They’ll test cells from your tumor—the altered genes can be detected even if they’re present in only a small number of cells. But there are some details you should know: Certain types of DNA-damaging treatments can lead to false results during PCR testing. Find out what it all means and how it could affect your treatment plan today!
The benefits
PCR is a quick, accurate, and easy way to test for DNA. For example, if you are seeking paternity testing information, PCR can be used to determine whether or not someone is a child’s biological father. In addition, PCR technology makes DNA testing possible at home through popular services like 23andMe and AncestryDNA. Finally, blood-testing company Theranos recently announced that they would begin using PCR technology in their proprietary blood tests. So how exactly does it work? Let’s take a look!
How it’s done
In a PCR, scientists use special enzymes called polymerases (similar to DNA’s nucleotides) and primers (short segments of DNA or RNA) to amplify a particular gene in a sample of DNA. This lets researchers detect that gene in small amounts of material, like blood or tissue. They can then analyze it further—or do a parallel PCR on other samples—to determine whether those genes are present. In most cases, scientists pre-determine which specific regions they want to examine and put that sequence into primers for amplification in their test samples.
Considerations
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is essential for confirming your findings, especially when working with fastidious organisms such as H. pylori that may be otherwise tricky to isolate and identify. PCR is a common method for analyzing DNA sequences, but it can also detect RNA sequences and amplified products. Be sure that whatever laboratory method you choose includes a PCR component! This can reduce turnaround time and confirm your results if a more time-consuming method like TEM shows evidence of bacteria in biopsies taken from gastric mucosa. Still, Western blotting fails to detect H. pylori protein fragments or vice versa.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned a lot of things in your journey as a lab worker. This should not be taken lightly because it can potentially save lives and help people who are suffering. Be sure to use everything you have learned as a lab assistant throughout your career. There is so much more out there, and we hope that there will be opportunities for us to learn more in years to come. Although mistakes may happen or procedures may change with time, your education will never go anywhere but up! That is one thing we can always be sure of in life, no matter what profession we choose. So enjoy learning and growing every day!
