What does LCR mean in LABORATORY

A ligase chain reaction is a process that amplifies a given DNA sequence by combining several copies of it using the enzyme ligase. The reaction is utilized to detect and study genes or mutations within them, as well as to synthesize more complex molecules like whole genomes or proteins.

In a typical LCR reaction, two strands of DNA are cleaved by restriction enzymes and then joined together at the ends with DNA ligases. This creates circular copies of the target sequence which can be amplified many fold using PCR (polymerase chain reaction). This increases the number of identical copies of the target sequence present in the sample, enabling it to be studied easily by researchers.

The main application of ligase chain reactions is their use as diagnostic tests for various diseases and other conditions. They can also be used to study gene expression in cells or tissues, as well as to produce recombinant proteins or even entire genomes from scratch.

The accuracy of LCR depends on both precision and sensitivity. It has proven superior to existing techniques such as Southern Blotting when it comes to detecting mutations, though PCR remains the gold standard for amplifying DNA sequences due its greater resolution and higher accuracy levels.

One potential issue with using an LCR is that errors can arise from either incorrect materials or improper use of equipment during the procedure due to contamination or incorrect handling. Additionally, if too few starting templates exist then amplification may fail entirely. As such extra caution should be taken throughout each step of the protocol if reliable results are desired.