What is Polymerase Chain Reaction?
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a molecular biology technique developed by Kary B. Mullis in 1983. It serves as a molecular photocopy machine, allowing scientists to amplify and replicate specific DNA sequences in a controlled and efficient manner. It enables the selective and exponential production of a particular segment of DNA in vitro. PCR involves cycles of heating and cooling to denature the DNA, allowing the synthesis of complementary strands by a DNA polymerase enzyme. This process results in the rapid and precise amplification of the target DNA, making PCR a powerful tool in various applications, including genetic research, diagnostics, and forensic analysis. PCR market has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. BCC Research predicts that the global market for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is expected to reach $12.6 billion by 2028, reflecting a CAGR of 6.7% from 2023 through 2028.
3 Major Steps Involved in PCR
- Denaturation: DNA is heated to separate the double strands, breaking hydrogen bonds and creating single-stranded templates.
- Annealing: Temperature is lowered to allow primers to bind to complementary sequences on the single-stranded DNA templates.
- Extension: DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to the primers, extending the DNA sequence.
Key Drivers Behind the PCR Technology Market
COVID-19 - The COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of the PCR technology market. As the virus spread globally, PCR became the gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19 due to its high sensitivity and specificity in detecting viral genetic material. The urgent need for mass testing, contact tracing, and accurate diagnosis led to unprecedented demand for RT-qPCR testing. Laboratories, healthcare facilities, and diagnostic companies worldwide invested heavily in PCR systems, reagents, and consumables to scale testing capacity and meet the rising demand.
Robust Demand in Industrial Applications - The demand for PCR technology in industrial applications is steadily growing due to its versatility and reliability. PCR plays a crucial role in agriculture, food safety, environmental monitoring, and forensics, offering precise and rapid DNA and RNA analysis. PCR ensures the quality and safety of products and environments.
Growth in Genomic and Biomarker Research - The genomics market is growing rapidly, and its global reach is expanding. This growth can be attributed to growth in genomic research activities, rising numbers of biotech start-up companies, and increasing use of genomics-based products, such as mRNA-based cancer therapies and mRNA vaccines. The growing interest in understanding genetics, studying gene expression, and exploring genetic variations/biomarkers has driven the demand for PCR technology in the research community.
Growing Demand in Clinical Diagnostics - The growing need for molecular diagnostics in oncology, infectious diseases, and genetic testing has led to a heightened adoption of PCR to detect genetic mutations, infectious diseases, and other clinically relevant biomarkers with high precision. The development of portable and point-of-care (PoC) PCR devices enabled rapid and on-site testing. These devices are used in healthcare facilities, field research, and resource-limited settings, further expanding the PCR market in clinical diagnostics.
