PCR Basics

Abstract

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used as a routine tool in diagnostic microbiology laboratories to detect and/or characterize disease causing organisms from patient specimens. The implementation of PCR testing must be planned by experienced scientists, with appropriate laboratory areas designated and good molecular biology laboratory practices diligently adhered. The inclusion of controls to alert to the possibility of false negative and false positive results and to monitor the performance of the PCR assay provides reassurance as to the quality and accuracy of results.