The Polymerase Chain Reaction - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0817637508 ISBN 13: 9780817637507

Publisher: Birkhäuser, 1994

Synopsis

James D. Watson When, in late March of 1953, Francis Crick and I came to write the first Nature paper describing the double helical structure of the DNA molecule, Francis had wanted to include a lengthy discussion of the genetic implications of a molecule whose struc­ ture we had divined from a minimum of experimental data and on theoretical argu­ ments based on physical principles. But I felt that this might be tempting fate, given that we had not yet seen the detailed evidence from King's College. Nevertheless, we reached a compromise and decided to include a sentence that pointed to the biological significance of the molecule's key feature-the complementary pairing of the bases. "It has not escaped our notice," Francis wrote, "that the specific pairing that we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material." By May, when we were writing the second Nature paper, I was more confident that the proposed structure was at the very least substantially correct, so that this second paper contains a discussion of molecular self-duplication using templates or molds. We pointed out that, as a consequence of base pairing, a DNA molecule has two chains that are complementary to each other. Each chain could then act ". . . as a template for the formation on itself of a new companion chain, so that eventually we shall have two pairs of chains, where we only had one before" and, moreover, " ...

About this title

Synopsis

Edited by the inventor of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the 1993 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, Kary Mullis, as well as two experts in the field, this handbook provides up-to-date methodological protocols from the world's leading laboratories, in addition to new techniques and enhanced applications not yet available in book form. Nearly 40 chapters inform the novice and experienced PCR user on how to optimize their results. In the chapters on applications, researchers provide not only protocols, but also descriptions of how PCR has revolutionized their particular field. Future enhancements of PCR, as well as new potential uses, are discussed. Readers can learn how PCR has changed the face of diagnostic testing, cancer research, genetics, forensics, plant biology, DNA sequencing and gene therapy. Special sections include the latest on QPCR, non-isotopic detection, genetic analysis, and PCR and the world of business, which includes a behind-the-scenes look at the legal battles between biotech giants Cetus and DuPont. It also provides insights into the origins of PCR and the history of nucleic acid research.

Edition details

• Publisher: Birkhäuser
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0817637508
• ISBN 13: 9780817637507
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 480
• Editor: Mullis Kary B., Ferre Francois, Gibbs Richard A.