polymerase chain reaction
noun
: an in vitro technique for rapidly synthesizing large quantities of a given DNA segment that involves separating the DNA into its two complementary strands, using DNA polymerase to synthesize two-stranded DNA from each single strand, and repeating the process
—abbreviation PCR
Examples of polymerase chain reaction in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Your healthcare provider can test your blood for antibodies to the virus using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) blood test.4
Treatments for Varicella-Zoster Virus
The goal of varicella-zoster treatment is to improve the symptoms and shorten the time of illness.
—
Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
But in 1984, the American biochemist Kary Mullis invented polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a method of amplifying very small amounts of DNA so it can be studied in detail.
—David Cox, WIRED, 2 Dec. 2020
Our primary method of testing has been through polymerase chain reaction [PCR], which provides results in eight to 10 hours.
—Paul Adepoju, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2024
To help contain the spread, doctors and public health officials prioritized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polymerase chain reaction 
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Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
But in 1984, the American biochemist Kary Mullis invented polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a method of amplifying very small amounts of DNA so it can be studied in detail.
—David Cox, WIRED, 2 Dec. 2020
Our primary method of testing has been through polymerase chain reaction [PCR], which provides results in eight to 10 hours.
—Paul Adepoju, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2024
To help contain the spread, doctors and public health officials prioritized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polymerase chain reaction
Dictionary Entries Near polymerase chain reaction
Cite this Entry
“Polymerase chain reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymerase%20chain%20reaction. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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