--- title: "30 Days of Science Education: The Polymerase Chain Reaction" description: "30 Days of Science Education: The Polymerase Chain Reaction" image: https://blog.jove.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2013-11-01-at-11_35_16-AM-1.png --- [JoVE](https://www.jove.com/) [Faculty Resource Center](https://app.jove.com/playlist/library/all) Research![](https://blog.jove.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Blog-design-template-2022/Jove_july2k22_test/template/icons/chevron-down-regular.svg) [Behavior](https://www.jove.com/research/behavior) [Biochemistry](https://www.jove.com/research/biochemistry) [Bioengineering](https://www.jove.com/research/bioengineering) [Biology](https://www.jove.com/research/biology) [Cancer Research](https://www.jove.com/research/cancer-research) [Chemistry](https://www.jove.com/research/chemistry) [Developmental Biology](https://www.jove.com/research/developmental-biology) [Engineering](https://www.jove.com/research/engineering) 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Us](https://www.jove.com/about/) [← Previous Page](https://blog.jove.com) [← Previous Page](https://blog.jove.com) ![](https://blog.jove.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2013-11-01-at-11_35_16-AM-1.png) ![...](https://blog.jove.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2013-11-01-at-11_35_16-AM-1.png) Education # 30 Days of Science Education: The Polymerase Chain Reaction Phil Meagher, JoVE Writer | Nov 01, 2013 [![](https://cloudfront.jove.com/img/icons/linkedin-in-brands_white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.jove.com/educator-blog/30-days-of-science-education-the-polymerase-chain-reaction) [![](https://blog.jove.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/twitter-white.png)](http://www.twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.jove.com/educator-blog/30-days-of-science-education-the-polymerase-chain-reaction) [![](https://cloudfront.jove.com/img/icons/facebook-square-brands_white.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.jove.com/educator-blog/30-days-of-science-education-the-polymerase-chain-reaction) Phil Meagher, JoVE Writer | Nov 01 2013 [![](https://cloudfront.jove.com/img/icons/linkedin-in-brands_white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.jove.com/educator-blog/30-days-of-science-education-the-polymerase-chain-reaction) [![](https://blog.jove.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/twitter-white.png)](http://www.twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.jove.com/educator-blog/30-days-of-science-education-the-polymerase-chain-reaction) [![](https://cloudfront.jove.com/img/icons/facebook-square-brands_white.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.jove.com/educator-blog/30-days-of-science-education-the-polymerase-chain-reaction) ***Thank you for checking out our ***“30 days of Science Education” [series](http://www.jove.com/blog/2013/10/29/a-single-dna-gel-electrophoresis-photo-could-win-you-50).*** Use [Science Education](http://www.jove.com/science-education-database) videos to i******ntroduce undergraduates to the lab******. *** Earlier this week we highlighted our *Science Education* video on [Molecular Cloning](https://blog.jove.com/2013/10/30/30-days-of-science-education-your-guide-to-molecular-cloning?hsLang=en)—the process of replicating a select DNA fragment of interest for studying gene function.  Today we introduce the related process of PCR, or, the [Polymerase Chain Reaction](http://www.jove.com/science-education/5056/pcr-the-polymerase-chain-reaction). PCR is a widely-used method for obtaining and amplifying DNA fragments from a small sample of DNA.  And it has a vast number of uses in the field. For example, if a hair is collected at a crime scene, PCR can be used to replicate the DNA within that hair to create a larger sample and then identify a suspect.  Furthermore, in the instance of molecular cloning the PCR-amplified DNA fragments can be applied for functional analysis in a given model system. [![](https://blog.jove.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/missing-image-Oct-04-2022-07-25-05-33-AM.png?width=368&height=276&name=missing-image-Oct-04-2022-07-25-05-33-AM.png "Science Education video \"PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction\"")](http://www.jove.com/science-education/5056/pcr-the-polymerase-chain-reaction) Science Education video "PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction" ![PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction](https://blog.jove.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/missing-image-Oct-04-2022-07-25-05-33-AM.png?width=369&height=277&name=missing-image-Oct-04-2022-07-25-05-33-AM.png) In the second step, annealing, short pieces of DNA called primers, which are specific to the sense or antisense strands bind via hydrogen bonds. Love the *Science Education* database? Get involved! Send us a photo from your lab applying DNA Gel Electrophoresis—the first method we highlighted in our *30 Days of Science Education* series. Based off the images we've already received, you'll need to be extra creative in order to stand out (we’ve seen several great photos of "smiling" DNA Gels).  The most creative images could win a $50 gift certificate or an assortment of other JoVE prizes! E-mail me your picture directly at phil.meagher@jove.com. --- ### Related Posts - [JoVE](https://www.jove.com/) - [Privacy](https://www.jove.com/about/policies)  •   [Terms of Use](https://www.jove.com/about/policies#step-2)  •   [Policies](https://www.jove.com/about/policies) - - [Share on Twitter](http://twitter.com/JoVEjournal) - [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/JoVEjournal) - [Share on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/company/jove) - [Contact Us](https://www.jove.com/about/contact) - [Recommend US](https://www.jove.com/recommend-jove-to-your-librarian) - [JoVE NEWSLETTERS](https://www.jove.com/subscribe-to-jove-newsletters) - ###### RESEARCH - [JoVE Journal](https://www.jove.com/journal) - [Methods Collections](https://www.jove.com/methods-collections) - [JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments](https://www.jove.com/encyclopedia-of-experiments) - [Archive](https://www.jove.com/archive) ###### EDUCATION - [JoVE Core](https://www.jove.com/education/core) - [JoVE Science Education](https://www.jove.com/science-education-library/) - 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