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Book Review
DNA Amplification: Current
Technologies and Applications
Vadim V. Demidov and Natalia E. Broude, authors
Horizon Bioscience, Norfolk, UK
IBSN: 0-9545232-9-6
Pages: 335, Price: U.S.$180
Suggested
citation for this article
DNA amplification is a powerful technique that has had an immense impact
on scientific research in the past 2 decades. While polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) is still the most popular method, alternative methods of DNA amplification
are constantly being developed. In addition, the extraordinary versatility
of PCR has led to its use in novel ways that have opened new avenues of
research. These novel methods for DNA amplification and the versatility
of PCR are highlighted in DNA Amplification: Current Technologies and
Applications.
The 17 chapters in this book are divided into 4 sections that focus on
enzymes (3 chapters), thermal cycling methods (6 chapters), isothermal
methods (6 chapters), and the detection of non-DNA analytes by DNA amplification
(2 chapters). Each chapter has a thorough description of methods and highly
detailed protocols for applying the technique to at least 1 specific application.
Several excellent chapters describe the uses of Phi29 DNA polymerase and
of applications using isothermal rolling circle amplification. A chapter
on multiple-displacement amplification details the isothermal amplification
of total genomic DNA and should prove extremely useful for amplifying
DNA in limited amounts, such as DNA from clinical samples. The final 2
chapters describe use of either real-time PCR or rolling circle amplification
to detect and quantify non-DNA analytes, such as serum cytokines, with
much greater sensitivity than conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay methods.
This book is not for the novice scientist, as it does not describe basic
DNA amplification fundamentals; rather, it is directed at those with a
solid background in molecular biology who desire knowledge of cutting-edge
applications. Although many of the detailed protocols will not be applicable
to certain laboratory situations, the versatility of most of the methods
described will allow them to be easily adapted to other studies. Therefore,
this book will be a good addition to the library of researchers in molecular
biology or to molecular diagnostics laboratories planning to expand their
horizon beyond standard PCR amplification techniques.
Robert F. Massung*
*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Suggested citation
for this article:
Massung RF. DNA amplification:
current technologies and applications [book review]. Emerg Infect Dis
[serial on the Internet]. 2005 Feb [date cited]. Available from
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol11no02/04-1049.htm
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