It is possible to identify particular short sequences of base pairs (bp) on a DNA strand by first amplifying the target sequence using the technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR can amplify any DNA sequence hundreds of millions of times in just a few hours. It is especially useful because it is highly specific, easily automated and capable of amplifying minute amounts of sample. The process is only possible because of a special heat-stable enzyme called isolated from bacteria. polymerase, thermophilic Taq polymerase is needed because the process of DNA Polymerase requires Tac single stranded DNA fragments to be produced by heating to 95C The enzyme polymerase is able to tolerate temperatures of 95C and has Tac a temperature optimum of 72C. This enzyme can synthesise the complementary strand of a given DNA strand in a mixture containing the four DNA nucleotide bases and two short DNA fragments called primers. Each primer is usually about 20 base pairs (bp) long. The primers are designed to bind to the DNA at either side of the target sequence. Why is PCR used? What is the point of PCR? PCR can be used to amplify a desired DNA sequence of any origin (virus, bacteria, plant or animal) millions of times in a matter of hours. Why is PCR useful? it is highly specific it is easily automated it is capable of amplifying minute amounts of sample. What are Primers? Primers are short DNA sequences or oligonucleotides (each about 20 bases long), that bind at either side of the target sequence, one on each of the complementary strands of the target
It is possible to identify particular short sequences of base pairs (bp) on a DNA strand by first amplifying the target sequence using the technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR can amplify any DNA sequence hundreds of millions of times in just a few hours. It is especially useful because it is highly specific, easily automated and capable of amplifying minute amounts of sample. The process is only possible because of a special heat-stable enzyme called Taq polymerase, isolated from thermophilic bacteria. Tac polymerase is needed because the process of DNA Polymerase requires single stranded DNA fragments to be produced by heating to 95C The enzyme Tac polymerase is able to tolerate temperatures of 95C and has a temperature optimum of 72C. This enzyme can synthesise the complementary strand of a given DNA strand in a mixture containing the four DNA nucleotide bases and two short DNA fragments called primers. Each primer is usually about 20 base pairs (bp) long. The primers are designed to bind to the DNA at either side of the target sequence. Why is PCR used? What is the point of PCR? PCR can be used to amplify a desired DNA sequence of any origin (virus, bacteria, plant or animal) millions of times in a matter of hours. Why is PCR useful? it is highly specific it is easily automated it is capable of amplifying minute amounts of sample. What are Primers? Primers are short DNA sequences or oligonucleotides (each about 20 bases long), that bind at either side of the target sequence, one on each of the complementary strands of the target