Amplifying genes using the polymerase chain reaction: A promising diagnostic tool

The power to amplify genetic material several millionfold using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has greatly enhanced the ability of molecular biologists to examine and manipulate genes. We have used the PCR reaction to detect bluetongue virus (BTV) in infected animals and are currently able to serogroup, serotype and determine the geographic origin of a BTV isolate. Similarly, using a combination of hybridization analyses and direct sequencing of the PCR products we can rapidly detect avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus and Mycoplasma and predict if we have nucleic acid sequences that are characteristic of a virulent or avirulent isolate. The ability to manipulate genetic information has made it possible to generate proteins containing deletions or create chimeric proteins which contain additions to their sequences. Such studies are important for the understanding of immune responses to various protein epitopes. Besides its sensitivity, PCR has the advantage of speed over some other detection systems. A comprehensive detection and diagnosis can be done in a few hours compared with several weeks previously required for virus isolations. However, there are disadvantages to using PCR. Because of its ability to amplify a sequence several millionfold, contaminants other than the target species may be amplified and since the DNA polymerase used in PCR has no editing or proofreading functions, errors may be quickly incorporated into the final PCR product. 13 refs, 8 figs