Presentation
PCR: the machine that changed science
Serafyma Shestakova
Before pcr
- scientists often had only tiny amounts of DNA, - no easy way to copy one specific section of it - made research slow and limited in many fields - harder to detect illnesses quickly and to analyze very small DNA traces from different situations.
'Finding a specific DNA sequence without amplification is like finding a needle in a haystack.'
- National Human Genome Research Institute
The invention
- Kary B. Mullis — American biochemist - Developed the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1985 - PCR allows a specific DNA segment to be copied millions of times - Made it possible to amplify DNA from very small samples - Solved a major problem in DNA technology - Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993
What is pcr?
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)- laboratory technique used to selectively amplify a specific segment of DNA. Allows scientists to generate millions to billions of copies of a chosen DNA sequence from a very small sample ---> possible to analyze genetic material in detail.
How pcr works
PCR works through repeated temperature-controlled cycles. 1. The DNA is heated to separate the two strands (denaturation). 2. The temperature is lowered so that primers bind to complementary sequences (annealing) A-T, C-G. 3.DNA polymerase extends the primers by adding nucleotides to form new strands (extension).
Equipment required
- Template DNA - Primers - DNA polymerase - Magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) - Water And for the lab equipment: - PCR tubes - Micropipettes and tips - Thermocycler
Why pcr is powerful
- Each PCR cycle uses newly made DNA as a template for the next cycle- The amount of target DNA increases very rapidly - 30–40 cycles can produce over 1 billion copies of a DNA segment - The process takes only a few hours
Impact on science
- PCR revolutionized molecular biologyAllows scientists to study very small or damaged DNA samples - Before PCR, large amounts of DNA were needed PCR can quickly isolate and amplify specific DNA sequences - Made cloning and DNA sequencing faster and more precise - Improved the study of genetic and evolutionary relationships
Impact onMedicine
PCR transformed medicine and disease detection-Can detect diseases from very small samples - Amplifies pathogen DNA or RNA for accurate identification - Early detection of infections - Over 3 billion PCR tests were performed worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic
PCR and Covid-19
PCR was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic - Amplifies very small amounts of viral RNA - Makes the virus easier to identify - A positive result shows viral genetic material is present - Important for early detection and diagnosis - Helped control the spread of the virus
Impact on society
- PCR had a major impact on society and forensic science- Made DNA identification reliable and widely accessible - Enabled the development of DNA fingerprinting - Can identify individuals from tiny samples (blood, hair, etc.) - Helped solve criminal investigations and cold cases - Improved the accuracy of paternity testing - Strengthened the use of scientific evidence in legal systems
Impact on everyday life
PCR impacts everyday life indirectly in many ways- Faster and more reliable test results - Identity testing, public health systems - Earlier and more accurate diagnoses - Better healthcare outcomes and treatment decisions
timeline
1953
Dna structure
DNA structure discovered by J. Watson, F. Crick and R. Franklin. - Scientists understand how DNA is organized
1970-1980
Major limitation
Only small parts of DNA are needed, but difficult to isolate and copy. Very little DNA available for analysis.
1970s
Development of dna sequencing
Frederick Sanger - development of DNA sequences. Scientists can read DNA, but still need large samples
1985
The invention of PCR
Kary Mullis develops PCR.An important scientific breakthrough.
timeline
1993
Nobel prize
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Kary Mullis.
Future?
Pcr holds great expectations
The PCR will most likely bring to us more scientific discoveries in medicine and other fields
Acess inequality and pcr's societal benefit
- Unequal access limits PCR’s societal benefit. - It needs expensive equipment and trained staff. - Some communities benefit less from testing and diagnosis. - This creates inequality in healthcare and forensics. - Still, PCR remains essential because it is fast, accurate, and highly sensitive.
PCR: the machine that changed science
Thank you for your attention
PCR: the machine that changed science
Sima Shestakova
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Transcript
Presentation
PCR: the machine that changed science
Serafyma Shestakova
Before pcr
- scientists often had only tiny amounts of DNA, - no easy way to copy one specific section of it - made research slow and limited in many fields - harder to detect illnesses quickly and to analyze very small DNA traces from different situations.
'Finding a specific DNA sequence without amplification is like finding a needle in a haystack.'
- National Human Genome Research Institute
The invention
- Kary B. Mullis — American biochemist - Developed the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1985 - PCR allows a specific DNA segment to be copied millions of times - Made it possible to amplify DNA from very small samples - Solved a major problem in DNA technology - Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993
What is pcr?
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)- laboratory technique used to selectively amplify a specific segment of DNA. Allows scientists to generate millions to billions of copies of a chosen DNA sequence from a very small sample ---> possible to analyze genetic material in detail.
How pcr works
PCR works through repeated temperature-controlled cycles. 1. The DNA is heated to separate the two strands (denaturation). 2. The temperature is lowered so that primers bind to complementary sequences (annealing) A-T, C-G. 3.DNA polymerase extends the primers by adding nucleotides to form new strands (extension).
Equipment required
- Template DNA - Primers - DNA polymerase - Magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) - Water And for the lab equipment: - PCR tubes - Micropipettes and tips - Thermocycler
Why pcr is powerful
- Each PCR cycle uses newly made DNA as a template for the next cycle- The amount of target DNA increases very rapidly - 30–40 cycles can produce over 1 billion copies of a DNA segment - The process takes only a few hours
Impact on science
- PCR revolutionized molecular biologyAllows scientists to study very small or damaged DNA samples - Before PCR, large amounts of DNA were needed PCR can quickly isolate and amplify specific DNA sequences - Made cloning and DNA sequencing faster and more precise - Improved the study of genetic and evolutionary relationships
Impact onMedicine
PCR transformed medicine and disease detection-Can detect diseases from very small samples - Amplifies pathogen DNA or RNA for accurate identification - Early detection of infections - Over 3 billion PCR tests were performed worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic
PCR and Covid-19
PCR was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic - Amplifies very small amounts of viral RNA - Makes the virus easier to identify - A positive result shows viral genetic material is present - Important for early detection and diagnosis - Helped control the spread of the virus
Impact on society
- PCR had a major impact on society and forensic science- Made DNA identification reliable and widely accessible - Enabled the development of DNA fingerprinting - Can identify individuals from tiny samples (blood, hair, etc.) - Helped solve criminal investigations and cold cases - Improved the accuracy of paternity testing - Strengthened the use of scientific evidence in legal systems
Impact on everyday life
PCR impacts everyday life indirectly in many ways- Faster and more reliable test results - Identity testing, public health systems - Earlier and more accurate diagnoses - Better healthcare outcomes and treatment decisions
timeline
1953
Dna structure
DNA structure discovered by J. Watson, F. Crick and R. Franklin. - Scientists understand how DNA is organized
1970-1980
Major limitation
Only small parts of DNA are needed, but difficult to isolate and copy. Very little DNA available for analysis.
1970s
Development of dna sequencing
Frederick Sanger - development of DNA sequences. Scientists can read DNA, but still need large samples
1985
The invention of PCR
Kary Mullis develops PCR.An important scientific breakthrough.
timeline
1993
Nobel prize
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Kary Mullis.
Future?
Pcr holds great expectations
The PCR will most likely bring to us more scientific discoveries in medicine and other fields
Acess inequality and pcr's societal benefit
- Unequal access limits PCR’s societal benefit. - It needs expensive equipment and trained staff. - Some communities benefit less from testing and diagnosis. - This creates inequality in healthcare and forensics. - Still, PCR remains essential because it is fast, accurate, and highly sensitive.
PCR: the machine that changed science
Thank you for your attention