Polymerase chain reaction: a link to the future

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a multi-faceted technology that is advancing disease detection. For pathology and clinical laboratories, PCR will be the tool of choice into the next century as scientists continue to develop and refine new uses. An amazingly simple process that amplifies nucleic acid sequences, PCR will change the practice of medicine because it will play a role in all aspects of the patient care continuum from diagnosis to treatment monitoring. Some striking applications range from detecting infectious and inherited diseases to assessing pharmacologic interventions. Additionally, the remarkable sensitivity of PCR will allow determination of a patient's genetic predisposition to diseases, thereby improving prevention modalities. Thus, medical practitioners should gain a basic understanding of this phenomenal cornerstone of molecular diagnostics. This article briefly reviews the history, theory, and uses of PCR and discusses relevant applications for military medicine.