Laureates of the Japan Prize

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which was devised by Dr. Mullis, has revolutionized molecular genetics, molecular biology, medicine and many other related scientific fields. The PCR is a way of amplifying specific DNA sequences from small amounts of a complex template. Thus, in medicine the PCR has had a major impact on the diagnosis and screening of genetic diseases and cancer, the rapid detection of fatidious or slow growing microorganisms and viruses, the detection of minimal residual disease in leukemia. The method has also been applied to studies on molecular evolution. Analysis of DNAs from different human populations allowed the construction of phylogenetic trees. Samples of historic or ancient DNA from extinct species have successfully been subjected to PCR amplification. This capability of analyzing minute quantities of degraded DNA makes it possible to apply PCR for forensic purposes.