# Polymerase Chain Reaction ## Polymerase Chain Reaction Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary molecular biology technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences. Developed in the 1980s, PCR enables researchers to produce millions of copies of a particular DNA segment quickly and efficiently. This process involves repeated cycles of heating and cooling to denature the DNA, anneal primers, and extend new DNA strands with the help of a DNA polymerase enzyme. PCR is widely used in various fields, including medical diagnostics, forensic science, and genetic research, making it an essential tool for DNA analysis and manipulation. Watch the video below to understand how PCR works. {% embed url="" %} ## Gel electrophoresis Gel electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins according to their size and charge. This method involves applying an electric current to a gel matrix, typically made of agarose or polyacrylamide. Molecules migrate through the gel at different rates, allowing for the separation and analysis of the components in the mixture. Gel electrophoresis is commonly used to analyze the results of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR amplifies specific DNA sequences, producing a large number of copies of a particular DNA fragment. Gel electrophoresis allows researchers to verify the success of the PCR amplification and to determine the size of the amplified DNA fragments. Watch the video below to understand how electrophoresis works. {% embed url="" %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://edu.abi.am/ngs-data-analysis-and-functional-genomics/experimental-techniques/polymerase-chain-reaction.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.