PCR Protocols

PCR has been successfully utilized in every facet of basic, cli- cal, and applied studies of the life sciences, and the impact that PCR has had on life science research is already staggering. C- comitant with the essentially universal use of PCR has been the creative and explosive development of a wide range of PCR-based techniques and applications. These increasingly numerous pro- cols have each had the general effect of facilitating and acceler- ing research. Because PCR technology is relatively easy and inexpensive, PCR applications are well within the reach of every research lab. In this sense, PCR has become the "e;equalizer"e; between "e;small"e; and "e;big"e; labs, since its use makes certain projects, especially those related to molecular cloning, now far more feasible for the small lab with a modest budget. This new volume on PCR Protocols does not attempt the impossible task of representing all PCR-based protocols. Rather, it presents a range of protocols, both analytical and preparative, that provide a solid base of knowledge on the use of PCR in many c- mon research problems. The first six chapters provide some basic information on how to get started. Chapters 7-19 represent primarily analytical uses of PCR, both for simple DNA and RNA detection, as well as for more complex analyses of nucleic acid (e. g. , DNA footprin ting, RNA splice site localization). The remaining chapters represent "e;synthetic,"e; or preparative, uses of PCR.