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On: February 22, 2025
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Indo-US Relation: Areas of Cooperation & Conflicts
Key Areas: Defense, technology, trade, energy, and regional cooperation. Key Areas of Cooperation 1. Defense and Security Transition from buyer-seller to co-production and technology sharing. India as a Major Defense Partner (MDP) and inclusion in STA-1. Access to advanced technologies, ...
On: February 22, 2025
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भारत-अमेरिका संबंध: सहयोग और संघर्ष के क्षेत्र
मुख्य विषय: भारत-अमेरिका संबंधों की मजबूती, विशेषकर रक्षा, प्रौद्योगिकी और क्षेत्रीय सहयोग में प्रगति। सहयोग के प्रमुख क्षेत्र 1. रक्षा एवं सुरक्षा सहयोग भारत और अमेरिका के बीच रक्षा संबंधों का विस्तार। प्रमुख रक्षा साझेदार (MDP) का दर्जा और STA-1 ...
On: February 22, 2025
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India’s Disaster Management
The article discusses the growing tensions between the Centre and states regarding disaster relief funding in India. It emphasizes the need for a transparent and equitable disaster management framework. Key Disaster Threats India Faces Increasing Frequency of Extreme Weather Events ...
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a foundational technique in molecular biology that amplifies specific DNA sequences exponentially, revolutionizing fields from genetics to diagnostics. The process operates through a series of temperature cycles, known as denaturation, annealing, and extension.
During denaturation, DNA is heated to separate its double strands. In annealing, the temperature cools, allowing primers to bind to complementary sequences flanking the target DNA. Extension occurs when DNA polymerase synthesizes new strands, using the primers as starting points, and adding nucleotides to replicate the DNA. Each cycle duplicates the DNA, making PCR exponential.
Applications of PCR are diverse and impactful:
– **Genetic Research:** It’s used in cloning, sequencing, and identifying gene functions.
– **Medical Diagnostics:** PCR is central in detecting pathogens like viruses (e.g., HIV, SARS-CoV-2) and genetic diseases.
– **Forensic Science:** PCR is critical for identifying individuals via DNA at crime scenes.
– **Environmental Science:** It identifies and quantifies microorganisms in samples.
– **Evolutionary Biology:** It compares DNA between species for studying evolution.
PCR’s precision, sensitivity, and rapidity make it essential in modern biological research and diagnostics, advancing our understanding of genetics and disease.
Imagine DNA is a quiet conversation. PCR lets you eavesdrop on a specific part. It takes a tiny bit of DNA and makes millions of copies of a chosen section, like a super-powered megaphone.
Here’s the trick:
In minutes, a whisper becomes a shout! PCR is used for:
PCR is a super tool for making the quiet voices of DNA loud and clear.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a powerful molecular biology technique used to amplify specific segments of DNA. Here’s how it works and where it’s applied:
PCR’s ability to rapidly produce millions of copies of specific DNA sequences from even tiny amounts of starting material has revolutionized biology and medicine, enabling advances in fields ranging from genetics and medicine to forensics and archaeology.
#Principle of PCR
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplifies specific DNA sequences through a repetitive cycle of denaturation, annealing, and extension. The process begins with heating DNA to 95°C, separating it into single strands. Primers, short DNA sequences complementary to the target region, then anneal to the strands at a lower temperature (typically 55-65°C). At 72°C, DNA polymerase extends the primers by synthesizing new DNA strands using free nucleotides. This cycle repeats, doubling the target DNA with each round, resulting in exponential amplification.
#Applications of PCR
**Research: PCR is fundamental in studying genes, mutations, and genetic relationships. It aids in gene expression analysis, mutation detection, and DNA sequencing.
**Diagnostics: PCR detects pathogens (viruses, bacteria) by amplifying their DNA/RNA. It’s crucial in diagnosing infections, genetic disorders, and cancers.
**Forensics:PCR profiles DNA for criminal investigations and paternity tests, utilizing its sensitivity and specificity for accurate identification.
**Genetic Engineering: PCR clones genes, prepares DNA for sequencing, and facilitates site-directed mutagenesis, essential in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.
**Environmental Science: PCR identifies microbial communities in ecosystems and monitors biodiversity, contributing to environmental conservation.
PCR stands for polymerase chain Reaction. It will amplify the specific segment of the DNA that makes a million copies of DNA molecule. This technique is widely employed in the areas of molecular biology, research and diagnostic.
It has three following steps: This process is carried in a thermocycler, which is a machine that can rapidly heat and cool samples.
Denaturation:
The DNA sample is heated up to (95 deg Celsius), which causes the double stranded DNA separated into single strands.
Annealing:
Primers must be added to the complementary sequence of the targeted DNA fragment. primers are short pieces of single-stranded DNA that are specific for the sequence we want to amplify. In this step, the temperature must be lowered into (50-60 deg C). It allows the primers to anneal or bind to the complementary sequence of the DNA.
Extension:
DNA polymerase enzyme should be added to the DNA fragment so that it will extends the primers, synthesizing a new DNA strand complementary to the target DNA fragment. The temperature is raised into around 72 deg C.
These steps (1-3) are repeated for the many cycles to get the increased amount of the amplified target DNA fragment.
Applications:
DNA cloning:
PCR can be used to create copies of genes or DNA that can be inserted into plasmid or vector for future manipulation.
Genetic testing:
PCR can be used to detect mutations in genes, which can be helpful in diagnosing genetic diseases.
DNA sequencing:
PCR is often used to amplify DNA fragments before they are sequenced.
Forensic science:
PCR can be used to analyze DNA evidence from crime scenes.
COVID-19 testing:
RT-PCR is the most common type of test used to diagnose COVID-19. It detects the presence of viral RNA in a patient’s respiratory sample.