PCR and sequencing
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing are intricately linked and vital to many fields in the life sciences. First invented in 1983, PCR is used to dramatically amplify DNA in a matter of hours. Aspects of the PCR and Sanger sequencing working principles are similar, both involving DNA polymerase and a
PCR amplification also plays a key role in next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, amplifying DNA samples before the PCR product is used for sequencing. Specific DNA sequences can also be selected for target enrichment by PCR-based processes, making NGS studies cheaper and decreasing the amount of genomic DNA needed in a sample for the generation of an accurate sequencing read. Since the inception of both DNA sequencing and PCR, the technologies have progressed rapidly, with new iterations, such as long-read nanopore sequencing and ddPCR improving the speed, accuracy, ease of use and flexibility of these techniques.
Read more about PCR and sequencing techniques in our peer reviewed journal.