1. Applications of PCR Detection of GMO crops
A. tumefaciens is a bacteria commonly found in the soil and is capable of inserting its plasmid (Ti) into plants. For this reason it is most often used for hybridizing plant DNA for GMO
A probe specifically designed to detect the Ti plasmid is used to test plants and food for GM intrusion.
This is used to ensure that foods meet governmental regulations.
Conventional PCR will work, although real time PCR is generally used to quantify the amount of GM material present

2. Applications of PCR
Detection of pharming

3. Applications of PCR - Forensics
Different applications of technology
ABO typing…Fast but very nonspecific
Based only on blood type
RFLP (repeat fragment length polymorphism) analysis…Very specific but also very time consuming
STR (short tandem repeat) analysis by PCR…highly specific & fast
1 in 3 billion

4. STR by PCR
STRs are repeats of 2-6BPs that are common within chromosomes. They form patterns that are different among people within populations.
The specificity of the test directly relates to the number of loci tested.
by the time 3 loci are tested the chance 2 individuals having the same STR pattern is 1 in 262,144.
STRs are the basis for the FBIs national DNA base or CODIS. Uses 13 loci to profile an individual.
The chance for an identical match between 2 individuals is 1 in 575 trillion

5. Other uses of PCR Paternity testing
Initially expensively performed using RFLP analysis. Almost exclusively performed with STR analysis now. Only have to minimally test loci as we are just determining inheritance of loci.

6. Other uses of PCR Mitochondrial analysis
Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother through the egg. It is used to test ancestry and evolutionary migration.
STRs are also being used to identify the remains of endangered species illegally obtained by poachers.