polymerase chain reaction

noun

: an in vitro technique for rapidly synthesizing large quantities of a given DNA segment that involves separating the DNA into its two complementary strands, using DNA polymerase to synthesize two-stranded DNA from each single strand, and repeating the process

—abbreviation PCR

Examples of polymerase chain reaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Your healthcare provider can test your blood for antibodies to the virus using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) blood test.4 Treatments for Varicella-Zoster Virus The goal of varicella-zoster treatment is to improve the symptoms and shorten the time of illness. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 3 Nov. 2024

But in 1984, the American biochemist Kary Mullis invented polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a method of amplifying very small amounts of DNA so it can be studied in detail. —David Cox, WIRED, 2 Dec. 2020

Our primary method of testing has been through polymerase chain reaction [PCR], which provides results in eight to 10 hours. —Paul Adepoju, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2024

To help contain the spread, doctors and public health officials prioritized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. —Robert Pearl, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

polymerase chain reaction

noun

: an in vitro technique for rapidly synthesizing large quantities of a given DNA segment that involves separating the DNA into its two complementary strands, binding a primer to each single strand at the end of the given DNA segment where synthesis will start, using DNA polymerase to synthesize two-stranded DNA from each single strand, and repeating the process

—abbreviation PCR