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Who Invented PCR?


The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one of the most groundbreaking discoveries in molecular biology, and its invention transformed science, medicine, and biotechnology forever.



The Birth of PCR

PCR was invented in 1983 by the American biochemist Kary B. Mullis while working at the biotechnology company Cetus Corporation in California. Mullis developed the idea of using repeated cycles of heating and cooling to replicate DNA in vitro, a process he described as a way of “copying DNA as nature does, but in a test tube.”

Recognition and Impact

For his revolutionary invention, Kary Mullis was awarded the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Michael Smith. PCR became an essential tool in laboratories worldwide, enabling researchers to:

  • Diagnose genetic and infectious diseases

  • Solve forensic cases through DNA fingerprinting

  • Advance genetic engineering and cloning

  • Drive progress in evolutionary biology and anthropology

The Legacy of Kary Mullis

Mullis’ work has had a lasting impact far beyond its original scope. From detecting viruses, to advancing personalized medicine and genomics, PCR remains at the heart of modern biological research and diagnostics.