Biology & 3D Animation Library
Polymerase Chain Reaction (Interactive)
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enables researchers to produce millions of copies of a specific DNA sequence in approximately two hours. This automated process bypasses the need to use bacteria for amplifying DNA.
This animation is featured in our "Spotlight Collection" on Polymerase Chain Reaction, along with video interviews with Kary Mullis, a 3D molecular animation of PCR, and several laboratory protocols.
This animation is also available as VIDEO .
Related Content
15625. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
DNA polymerase (blue) makes many copies of DNA (red) in a cycle of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
15479. Sanger method of DNA sequencing, 3D animation with narration
The DNA sequencing method developed by Fred Sanger forms the basis of automated "cycle" sequencing reactions today.
15475. The cycles of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 3D animation
The cycles of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
15138. Naming PCR
Kary Mullis explains how the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was named.
15624. Kary Mullis
Image of Kary Mullis. In 1985, Kary Mullis invented the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a method of amplifying or producing many copies of a specific piece of DNA. The revelation came to this eccentric character on a drive in northern California.
15140. Making many DNA copies, Kary Mullis
Kary Mullis talks about his discovery of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a process that allows chemists to produce many copies of a specific fragment of DNA.
15666. Making GeneChips® at Affymetrix
The quartz wafer is in the holding position on the DNA synthesizer. The wafer is moved to a vertical reaction vessel for the process of DNA chain elongation.
16812. Animation 39: A genome is an entire set of genes.
James Watson describes sequencing the human genome using markers and BACs, and Craig Venter explains using cDNA libraries, ESTs, and shotgun sequencing.
16515. Animation 23: A gene is a discrete sequence of DNA nucleotides.
Fred Sanger outlines DNA sequencing.
15139. Finding DNA to copy, Kary Mullis
Kary Mullis speaks about the process of find a specific fragment of DNA amongst many pieces in a complex mixture.