Dr. Instructor Member Arzu Özgen Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a method used to reproduce billions of copies of a specific DNA sequence in-vitro conditions in a time frame that takes a few hours; He stated that today it is a technique that is widely used in forensic medicine, especially in molecular biological and biotechnological research, and in medical laboratory applications for diagnostic purposes in medicine.
Özgen continued his statements about the structure and usage areas of PCR as follows:
"PCR generally consists of stages that include denaturation of the DNA molecule, which has a double-stranded structure, to become single-stranded, binding of primers specifically designed for the specific DNA sequence desired to be replicated, to the DNA sequence, in other words annealing and lengthening of the chain with DNA polymerase enzyme. Like bacteria and viruses. "PCR is a very important technique in the diagnosis of infectious diseases caused by infectious microorganisms. Here, it is possible to detect both disease-causing microorganisms and infectious agents that cannot be cultured under laboratory conditions."
"Another example of the usage areas of PCR can be the screening of genetic anomalies that may occur in babies in the prenatal period. It also helps to diagnose the disease and determine the treatment methods by identifying mutations in oncogenes. In Forensic Medicine, one of the most important application areas of PCR, unsolved incidents It can be illuminated and also contributes to the identification of parents.
Of course, there are some limitations in the PCR technique. One of them is to have a comprehensive knowledge of the nucleotide sequence of the specific DNA sequence to be replicated. Another important limitation is that the PCR technique is extremely sensitive, at which point studies should be designed and performed in a way that eliminates even the slightest possibility of contamination."
