Polymerase chain reaction (redirected from PCR amplification)

polymerase chain reaction

n. Abbr. PCR

A technique for amplifying DNA sequences in vitro by separating the DNA into two strands and incubating it with oligonucleotide primers and DNA polymerase. A specific sequence of DNA can be amplified by as many as one billion times.

---

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A test performed to evaluate false-negative results to the ELISA and Western blot tests. In PCR testing, numerous copies of a gene are made by separating the two strands of DNA containing the gene segment, marking its location, using DNA polymerase to make a copy, and then continuously replicating the copies. The amplification of gene sequences that are associated with HIV allows for detection of the virus by this method.

Mentioned in: AIDS Tests

---

polymerase chain reaction (PCR),

n a process whereby a strand of deoxyribonucleic acid can be cloned millions of times within a few hours. The process can be used to make prenatal diagnoses of genetic diseases and to identify an individual by analysis of a single tissue cell.