PCR (Plymerase Chain Reaction) - From 1983 to 2006- A Chronological Sequence
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a Nobel-prize winning nucleic acid amplification technology that allows minute amounts of genetic material to be amplified into billions of copies in just a few hours. It has enabled many significant advances in the Genome projects, DNA fingerprinting and in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis. Beyond its wide medical applications, PCR has been used to help in our understanding of evolution, human migration and even for use in food safety, archaeology and forensics. In 1983, Dr. Kary Mullis at Cetus Corporation conceived of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR is a simple yet elegant process that enables the production of virtually unlimited copies of genetic material in the laboratory. For the conception of PCR, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to him in 1993. In 1985, Cetus filed the first PCR patent application. The same year, the first publication of PCR by Cetus Corporation appeared in Science. This is the ...