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Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) begins by establishing a “target
sequence” of DNA or extracted RNA and is completed through
repeated cycles of heating and separation of double-stranded
DNA. Once separated, pieces of synthetic DNA are then used
as a primer to bind to its complementary sequence and create
an exact replica of the desired target sequence. Through
repeated cycles, copies of the target DNA or RNA are
generated for further analysis, and in some instances,
quantitation of the target for determination of minimal
residual disease (MRD) and therapeutic monitoring.
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