A molecular technique in which DNA sequences between two oligonucleotide primers can be amplified is

A molecular technique in which DNA sequences between two oligonucleotide primers can be amplified is known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR is a powerful and widely used method in molecular biology and genetics for amplifying specific DNA sequences.

Here is how PCR works:

1. Denaturation: The DNA sample is heated to a high temperature (typically around 94–98 °C) to separate the double-stranded DNA into single strands.

2. Annealing: The temperature is lowered (usually around 50–65 °C) to allow the two oligonucleotide primers to bind (anneal) to their complementary sequences on the single-stranded DNA.

3. Extension: The temperature is raised to around 72 °C, the optimal temperature for a DNA polymerase enzyme such as Taq polymerase to synthesize new DNA strands. The DNA polymerase extends the primers by adding nucleotides to the growing DNA strand.

4. Repeat: The cycle of denaturation, annealing, and extension is repeated multiple times (usually 25–40 cycles), resulting in the exponential amplification of the target DNA sequence.

PCR has a wide range of applications, including:

• Cloning: Amplifying DNA sequences for insertion into plasmids or other vectors.
• Diagnostics: Detecting the presence of specific DNA sequences associated with pathogens or genetic diseases.
• Forensics: Analyzing DNA evidence in criminal investigations.
• Research: Studying gene expression, genotyping, and sequencing DNA.
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR): Measuring the quantity of DNA or RNA in a sample for gene expression studies.

PCR is a versatile and efficient technique that has revolutionized many areas of research and clinical diagnostics.