NESTPCR is an acronym that stands for "Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction." It is a molecular biology technique employed in laboratories to amplify and detect specific DNA sequences. The Nested PCR method involves two successive rounds of amplification, which enhances the sensitivity and specificity of DNA target detection.
In the initial step, a pair of short primers, complementary to the target DNA region of interest, are used to initiate amplification in a PCR reaction. The resulting DNA products from the first PCR round then serve as templates in the second round, where a different pair of primers, located internally to the original primers, is employed. This nested approach significantly increases the specificity of amplification as the second set of primers can selectively target a narrower DNA region within the initial product.
NESTPCR is especially valuable when working with complex biological samples that may contain low concentrations of the targeted DNA sequence or significant amounts of non-specific DNA. By reducing background noise and amplifying the desired fragment, researchers achieve greater sensitivity and accuracy in the detection of their target DNA.
The technique finds applications in numerous fields, including medical diagnostics, genetic research, forensic science, pathogen detection, and molecular epidemiology. NESTPCR has significantly advanced the genetic analysis of various organisms, allowing for the early detection of diseases, identification of genetic variations, understanding evolutionary relationships, and tracking infectious agents.
