In vitro method for producing large amounts of specific DNA or RNA fragments of defined length and sequence from small amounts of short oligonucleotide flanking sequences (primers). The essential steps include thermal denaturation of the double-stranded target molecules, annealing of the primers to their complementary sequences, and extension of the annealed primers by enzymatic synthesis with DNA polymerase. The reaction is efficient, specific, and extremely sensitive. Uses for the reaction include disease diagnosis, detection of difficult-to-isolate pathogens, mutation analysis, genetic testing, DNA sequencing, and analyzing evolutionary relationships.
    

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DNA analysis

PCR cloning protocols : from molecular cloning to genetic engineering / edited by Bruce A. White.

Ancient DNA typing : methods, strategies, and applications / Susanne Hummel.

PCR technology : current innovations / edited by Hugh G. Griffin, Annette M. Griffin.

Making PCR : a story of biotechnology / Paul Rabinow.

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Polymerase Chain Reaction

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PCR cloning protocols : from molecular cloning to genetic engineering / edited by Bruce A. White.

Ancient DNA typing : methods, strategies, and applications / Susanne Hummel.

PCR technology : current innovations / edited by Hugh G. Griffin, Annette M. Griffin.

Making PCR : a story of biotechnology / Paul Rabinow.

DNA analysis