Making Pcr

Making PCR is the fascinating, behind-the-scenes account of the invention of one of the most significant biotech discoveries in our time—the polymerase chain reaction. Transforming the practice and potential of molecular biology, PCR extends scientists' ability to identify and manipulate genetic materials and accurately reproduces millions of copies of a given segment in a short period of time. It makes abundant what was once scarce—the genetic material required for experimentation. Making PCR explores the culture of biotechnology as it emerged at Certus Corporation during the 1980s and focuses on its distinctive configuration of scientific, technical, social, economic, political, and legal elements, each of which had its own separate trajectory over the preceding decade. The book contains interviews with the remarkable cast of characters who made PCR, including Kary Mullin, the maverick who received the Nobel prize for "discovering" it, as well as the team of young scientists and the company's business leaders. This book shows how a contingently assembled practice emerged, composed of distinctive subjects, the site where they worked, and the object they invented. "Paul Rabinow paints a . . . picture of the process of discovery in Making PCR: A Story of Biotechnology [and] teases out every possible detail. . . . Makes for an intriguing read that raises many questions about our understanding of the twisting process of discovery itself."—David Bradley, New Scientist "Rabinow's book belongs to a burgeoning genre: ethnographic studies of what scientists actually do in the lab. . . . A bold move."—Daniel Zalewski, Lingua Franca "[Making PCR is] exotic territory, biomedical research, explored. . . . Rabinow describes a dance: the immigration and repatriation of scientists to and from the academic and business worlds."—Nancy Maull, New York Times Book Review

"Making PCR" is the fascinating, behind-the-scenes account of the invention of one of the most significant biotech discoveries in our time--the polymerase chain reaction. The book contains interviews with the remarkable cast of characters who made PCR, including Kary Mullis, who received a Nobel Prize for "discovering" it, as well as the team of young scientists. 10 halftones, 10 line drawings.

This book will introduce non-molecular biologists to diagnostic PCR-based te- nologies for the detection of pathogens in foods. By the conclusion of this book, the reader should be able to: 1) understand the principles behind PCR including real-time; 2) know the basics involved in the design, optimization, and imp- mentation of PCR in food microbiology lab setting; 3) interpret results; 4) know limitations and strengths of PCR; and 5) understand the basic principles behind a new fledgling technology, microarrays and its potential applications in food microbiology. This book will provide readers with the latest information on PCR and microarray based tests and their application towards the detection of bacterial, protozoal and viral pathogens in foods. Figures, charts, and tables will be used, where appropriate, to help illustrate concepts or provide the reader with useful information or resources as an important starting point in bringing molecular diagnostics into the food microbiology lab. This book is not designed to be a “cookbook”PCR manual with recipes and step-by-step instructions but rather serve as a primer or resource book for students, faculty, and other professionals interested in molecular biology and its integration into food safety. v Table of Contents Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Chapter 1. PCR Basics Amanda Fairchild, M. S. , Margie D. Lee DVM, Ph. D. , and John J. Maurer, Ph. D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapter 2. The Mythology of PCR: A Warning to the Wise John J. Maurer, Ph. D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Chapter 3.

Examines the latest innovations and the overall impact of PCR on areas of molecular research.

Appropriate for a wide range of disciplines, from biology to non-biology, law and nursing majors, DNA and Biotechnology uses a straightforward and comprehensive writing style that gives the educated layperson a survey of DNA by presenting a brief history of genetics, a clear outline of techniques that are in use, and highlights of breakthroughs in hot topic scientific discoveries. Engaging and straightforward scientific writing style Comprehensive forensics chapter Parallel Pedagogic material designed to help both readers and teachers Highlights in the latest scientific discoveries Outstanding full-color illustration that walk reader through complex concepts

Kary Mullis was awarded a Nobel Prize for inventing the PCR technique more than a decade ago in 1993. Since its "discovery", multiple adaptations and variations of the standard PCR technique have been described. This publication aims to provide the reader with a guide to the standard PCR technique and its many available variants, with particular emphasis being placed on the role of these PCR techniques in the clinical diagnostic laboratory (the central theme of this book).

PCR is the most widely used technique in molecular biology. New PCR variants offering substantial benefits to existing protocols appear on a frequent basis. PCR: Methods Express describes the very latest PCR-based methodologies and approaches to provide the most up-to-date practical advice on how to tackle a broad range of biological problems including: *real time qRT-PCR *rapid generation of gene targeting constructs *PCR multiplexes *PCR-based mutagenesis *identification of microdeletions and microduplications *DNA methylation analysis *forensic genetic DNA typing *genotyping *identification of mutations in single cells *whole genome amplification *diagnosis of infectious diseases *inverse PCR-based RFLP This book is a comprehensive research guide; every chapter discusses the merits and limitations of the available approaches and then provides fully-proven protocols with hints and tips for success. PCR: Methods Express is an essential laboratory manual for researchers in all life science fields and at all levels, from postgraduate student to principal investigator.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most sensitive method for revealing the presence of otherwise undetectable quantities of the genome of RNA or DNA of human viruses. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Human Viral Diagnosis addresses the urgent need to use this revolutionary technology in reference and routine diagnostic laboratories. It informs the molecular biologist of the most appropriate clinical uses for PCR and educates the clinician and medical virologist about the subtleties and benefits of gene amplification. The reader is given an understanding and appreciation of the principles of PCR and how, why, and where it should be applied. The book explains the principles behind PCR and its role in the diagnostic and public health laboratory. The application of PCR to the detection and investigation of viral latency and persistence is presented by the originators of in situ amplification. There are individual contributions from experts in their respective fields on the detection, characterization, and analysis by PCR of gastroenteritis viruses, hepatitis viruses, herpesviruses, rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, flaviviruses, polyomaviruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I and II); and measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, rabies, and B19 viruses.