Amplification of DNA and RNA by PCR

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized many areas of medicine, including hemostasis. Although this volume is not devoted to PCR, many of the chapters employ the technique at some point to amplify specific DNA or RNA sequences. This chapter, therefore, provides a brief outline of the techniques and methods for the amplification of both DNA and RNA. It should be remembered that no single protocol will be suitable for all PCR reactions and that optimization of the reaction is necessary whenever a new PCR reaction is undertaken. Further information on PCR can be found in one of the many textbooks on the subject that are available.