PCR, aka polymerase chain reaction, is a widely used method to detect and measure the amount of a certain gene or or DNA fragment in a sample. Using primers that match the specific DNA you’re looking for, PCR will amplify that one segment exponentially, allowing us to quantify how many copies of that segment were in the original sample, even if it was a very small amount. It’s used for pretty much everything, from sample quality control to disease diagnosis to DNA mapping to criminal forensics. #pcr #polymerasechainreaction #labscience #research #mph #gradschool #yale #ysph #ysphtakeover #virology #DNA #dointhescience #publichealth #infectiousdisease