Step 2. Setting up the PCR thermo cycler
Channel: Bad Idea
Date: 2021-03-07

PCR produces large amounts of a specific piece of DNA from trace amounts of starting material (template). The template can be any form of double-stranded DNA. A researcher can take trace amounts of DNA from a drop of blood, a single hair follicle, or a cheek cell and use PCR to generate millions of copies of a desired DNA fragment. In theory, only a single template strand is needed to generate millions of new DNA molecules. Prior to PCR, it would have been impossible to do forensic or genetic studies with this small amount of DNA. The ability to amplify the precise sequence of DNA that a researcher wishes to study or manipulate is the true power of PCR