The Chemical Engineering Department is hosting a special undergraduate lecture on DNA structure, replication and applications of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Abstract:
In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the acronym PCR has become commonplace in everyday vernacular. However, many people are unable to define PCR or describe the mechanism involved. This lecture will provide a broad overview of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application in forensics, diagnostics, and biotechnology. I will begin by introducing nucleic acid structure and chemistry, including nitrogenous bases, nucleotides, and both DNA and RNA structures. By emphasizing the complementary structure of DNA, I will outline how DNA is replicated in vivo. Finally, I will introduce PCR as an in vitro engineering tool and we will discuss its broad applications, including its recent role in COVID-19 diagnostics.
By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:
- Distinguish DNA and RNA structures
- Draw and recognize nitrogenous bases, nucleosides, and nucleotides
- Outline the key steps and enzymes involved in DNA replication
- Describe the theory and mechanism of PCR; and
- Outline common applications of PCR in medical diagnostics, forensics, and biotechnology