Daniel Osipovitch, Chemistry and Forensic Science
“Optimization and validation of a computational model of two-temperature PCR.”
The computational models of chemical reactions inspired by Parrondo’s paradox suggest that for some reaction systems cycling reaction conditions might yield unexpected results. Thermal cycling, in particular may have useful but as yet generally unexplored applications in chemistry. In biochemical systems, thermal cycling is already commonly employed in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR is a procedure that replicates DNA. The purpose of the research is to optimize the model parameters and validate the model. PCR is one of the most valuable tools for cellular and molecular biology of DNA with applications in forensic science, biochemistry and genetics. A new and useful variation of the standard three-temperature PCR is two-temperature PCR which combines sensitivity with rapid thermal cycling. A better understanding of the characteristics of two-temperature PCR from a chemical kinetic approach is likely to make this procedure even more useful. A validated, quantitative model of two-temperature PCR will undoubtedly assist in design of laboratory procedures and assist in analysis of data.
