Importance of PCR to MAB
Most molecular marker platforms include a visualization system such as gel electrophoresis that requires a minimal amount of DNA in order for it to be seen. Therefore PCR is important not only in identifying specific regions of DNA (as with specific primers, discussed next slide) but also to generate enough copies (amplify) of the segment of interest such that it can be seen on a gel system. Thus the importance of PCR in MAB cannot be overemphasized.
At the far left a person loads a small horizontal agarose gel, while the next photo shows several types of vertical gel apparatus. For more information on PCR and gel electrophoresis equipment, see the Resources at the end of this section.