CPGR

Advanced PCR Services in South Africa | Expertise in Polymerase Chain Reaction

Known as Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR, this method has emerged as the crown and glory of every advanced molecular biologist’s arsenal in diagnostics and research.  Due to the use of PCR technology in which the target sequence of DNA or RNA can be amplified, there is virtually no ‘too much’ genetic material to be examined, sought after, or treated in one way or another. In the fields of medicine, agriculture, and even forensic science the application of PCR in South Africa has been through a roller coaster of changes but has been brought to advanced levels.

What is Polymerase Chain Reaction?

The polymerase chain reaction, in short PCR, refers to a laboratory technique that was invented in the 1980s. It is used to copy a specific section in a given chromosome many times within hours; or rather, multiple copies of the specific segment of interest. This kind of manipulative approach is beneficial in carrying out a detailed analysis of the genetic elements even when the original sample is not assessed due to its small size.

PCR operates in three main stages:

1. Denaturation: The MID is when the double-stranded DNA is overheated so that it will separate two DNA strands.
2. Annealing: Short primers have a Lo DnA affinity; they anneal to the target DnA sequence at comparatively low temperatures.
3. Extension: A DNA polymerase enzyme synthesises new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to the primers.

These steps are repeated in cycles, exponentially increasing the DNA quantity with each round.

The Importance of PCR in South Africa

In South Africa, PCR is being entrenched in all sectors on the back of massive returns offered to scientific, and healthcare fields.

1. Medical Diagnostics

Diagnosis constitutes one of the most significant uses of PCR in South Africa. In particular, PCR plays a crucial role in the identification of infectious diseases like:

• HIV and Tuberculosis (TB): These diseases are major challenges to the health of the people of South Africa. PCR proves useful in the identification of viral and bacterial DNA with great efficiency and that enhances early diagnosis and treatment.
• COVID-19: PCR testing was the go-to method to confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 during the pandemic.
• Genetic Disorders: PCR is also applied to diagnose certain inherited diseases with the help of analyzing genetic mutations and to register the starts of the diseases to be treated early and with the help of individual programs.

2. Research and Biotechnology

PCR remains highly relied on by South Africa’s scientific community for genetics, virology, and environment-related research. For example:

• Genetic Research: PCR is used in genetic diagnosis by detecting markers, investigating gene expression, and understanding their evolutionary connections.
• Agriculture: PCR is essential to scientists to create disease-free crops, enhance stock breeding, and analyze diseases that affect agriculture.
• Wildlife Conservation: PCR was employed to evaluate the genetic variation of some endangered species and from which conservation biologists can plan their course of action.

3. Forensic Science

More so PCR has gone a long way in revolutionizing forensic science in South Africa. This article explores how DNA taken from scenes of the crime like hair, blood samples, or skin scrapings can be amplified to point out the culprit, clear the innocent, or warm up cold cases.

Why Choose PCR Over Other Methods?

PCR offers several advantages in analytical methods:

• Sensitivity: PCR is particularly useful in early diagnosis because it can pick even the slightest levels of DNA or RNA.
• Specificity: PCR can work on specific DNA sequences for amplification by the employed of specific primers.
• Speed: Such problems can be solved in a short time, in several hours, which allows for quick decision-making.
• Versatility: PCR can be adapted for various applications, including quantitative PCR (qPCR) and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR).

PCR Services in South Africa

The number of PCR service providers that exist in laboratories and institutions in South Africa is vast and offers high-quality service. These facilities support the needs of healthcare providers, researchers, and industries by providing:

• Routine diagnostic testing.
• Advanced genetic analysis.
• Custom PCR solutions tailored to unique project requirements.

Moreover, PCR technology is also available very commonly in South Africa and this has also played an important role in initiating collaborations among the academia, government, and private sector. These are important collaborations in order to address the unusual challenges that the country has in the health and agriculture departments.

Future Prospects of PCR in South Africa

The predictive likelihood relative to the future of infrastructural PCR in the region of South Africa is high. New technologies are coming into the market that will actually help PCR to become more effective and cheaper by overcoming the barriers that it comes across at the moment; this will always enable it to get to even the remote areas. Moreover, new generations of PCR technology like pocket PCR and digital PCR will shift what happens in the narrative of testing at the site and analysis in real time. 

In the current efforts to fight the impacts of climate change and the call for development sustainability, the role of PCR is also gradually finding its way to being noticed. The research has also shown how environmental DNA (eDNA) has been used to identify the presence of species, establish the distribution records of invasive species, and assess the state of ecosystems in South Africa.

Conclusion

PCR is widely utilized in today’s research since its outcomes are quantitatively and qualitatively accurate and since it can be applied in numerous disciplines of science and medicine. Centre for Proteomic & Genomic Research in South Africa is using PCR techniques making diagnostics, research, and forensic science improvements. As a detection tool and indicator, PCR is used in HIV diagnostics, COVID-19 detection, active Wildlife Conservation, and many more.

With the improvement of PCR technology, the approach of this technique to solve torments that are afflicting South Africa will enhance solidifying the position of this as a vanguard tool of creativity and exploration.