Understanding PCR and Real-Time PCR: Revolutionizing Molecular Biology
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a cornerstone technique in molecular biology that has transformed the way scientists detect and analyze genetic material. Introduced in the 1980s, PCR allows the amplification of specific DNA sequences from tiny samples, enabling researchers to work with quantities of DNA that were previously undetectable. The method relies on thermal cycling, which repeatedly heats and cools the DNA sample to enable denaturation, annealing of primers, and extension of new DNA strands by a DNA polymerase enzyme. PCR’s simplicity, efficiency, and precision have made it indispensable in fields ranging from clinical diagnostics to forensic science and genetic research.
One of the major advancements in PCR technology is Real-Time PCR, also known as quantitative PCR (qPCR). Unlike conventional PCR, which provides results at the end of the reaction, real-time PCR allows the detection of DNA amplification as it occurs, in…

