"In Situ" Polymerase Chain Reaction and Related Technology

"In situ" PCR is capable of detecting minute quantities of DNA or RNA in intact cells or tissues. It provides a useful tool for answering a number of questions that might not otherwise have been investigated. A number of applications of this technology have been reported, bringing advancement in the understanding of many normal and pathalogical conditions, particularly in AIDS and gene therapy research. This work offers a review of the status of this technology, presenting its variations and discussing its applications, including a debate on the theoretical considerations and practical step-by-step protocols.