PCR is the first method developed for amplification of DNA/nucleic acids in
vitro. It was the method of choice since it's invent. PCR has many limitations
which gave birth to alternative methods such as Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification
(LAMP), Nucleic Acid Sequence Based Amplification (NASBA), Self Sustained Sequence
Replication (3SR), Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) etc. A comprehensive review
of the literature on the principles, limitations, challenges, improvements and
alternatives of PCR was performed. Though PCR encountered some limitation afterwards
and a no of technically improved alternatives has been devised worldwide, it
still holds its standings as a gold standard for nucleic acid amplification
preventing it from being obsolete. PCR has gone through some phenomenal modifications
making continuous improvement of this method. Although, latter techniques offer
better sensitivity and advantages where PCR has limitations, it is still commonly
applied in the field of molecular biology for its extensive information all
over the world, availability of reagents and methods, widespread validation
and very good technical understanding among researchers. PCR is not obsolete
despite of threats faced from other methods; rather it is continuously being
modified to overcome the limitations. It will remain one of the ultimate methods
of choice especially in developing countries for long. PDFFulltextXMLReferencesCitation
How to cite this article
Md. Fakruddin, Abhijit Chowdhury and Zakir Hossain, 2013. Competitiveness of Polymerase Chain Reaction to Alternate Amplification Methods. American Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 3: 71-80.