What is PCR amplification?

The main goal of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is to rapidly amplify a specific sample of DNA/RNA from a single copy to multiple copies in vitro. Amplification is achieved by a series of four steps:

• denaturation,
• annealing
• extension and
• end of the first PCR cycle.

After completion of the first cycle, the process is repeated generally between 25 and 35 times, resulting in the exponential amplification of the original sample of DNA. To successfully amplify a segment of DNA/RNA using PCR you will need the following materials:

• DNA/RNA template you wish to amplify
• DNA polymerases
• Forward and reverse primers
• Deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs)
• PCR buffers