PCR may be the most well-known acronym in modern biology, but it has never been this funny.
Bio-Rad, a leading producer of research equipment, made a music video about the science behind their cash cow line of products.
Simply put, the polymerase chain reaction is a way to make lots of flawless copies of DNA molecules. Many biochemists, myself included, use it nearly every day for a zillion different reasons.
Forensic scientists may employ the technique to amplify tiny specks of genetic material from blood at a crime scene. Hospitals can use it to see what kind of infection has made a patient sick.
If anything else can come close to being this hilarious, it is the sea of gossip about Kary Mullis — the Nobel Laureate who is credited with developing the reaction. Supposedly, he has taken LSD, made astonishing sexist remarks, denied that HIV causes AIDS, and believes in astrology.
