Advances in PCR Techniques and Their Role in Modern Laboratory Diagnosis

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is an essential molecular technique used to amplify specific DNA or RNA targets for both diagnostic and research purposes. Over the past few decades, several PCR variations have been developed to enhance sensitivity, specificity, and workflow efficiency in clinical laboratories. This review summarizes the principles of PCR and describes commonly used techniques such as real-time PCR, reverse transcription PCR, and multiplex PCR. It also outlines their applications in infectious disease detection, genetic testing, oncology, and hematology. Additionally, the advantages and limitations of PCR-based diagnostics are discussed, along with recent trends aimed at achieving faster, more accessible, and high-accuracy testing. PCR continues to play a central role in modern laboratory diagnosis due to its reliability, accuracy, and ability to detect low concentrations of nucleic acids in diverse clinical samples.