POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION PCR © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Features Amplifies small samples of DNA into millions of copies Can copy the DNA of a single cell Uses DNA polymerase from hot spring bacteria (Thermus aquaticus) Automated to produce millions of copies in a few hours. Taq DNA polymerase © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Procedure Mix: DNA sample, specific complementary primers, DNA polymerase Heat DNA to 95°C, denatures DNA Sister strands separate Cool to 56°C Primers bind to DNA Bracket region to be copied Stop sister strand reannealing. © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Procedure Warm to 73°C Optimum temperature for DNA polymerase New sister strands synthesised from the primers Heat again to 95°C Strands separate again Cool to 56°C more primers bind Warm to 73°C DNA polymerase synthesises new sister strands Repeat cycle 10 times > 1000 copies Repeat cycle 20 times > 1 million copies. © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Problems Contamination of sample Any source of DNA will do (bacteria, technician…..) Sterile conditions needed. © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS