Principle of digital polymerase chain reaction and its application in infectious diseases
ZHAO Yun1, WANG Lei2, GUO Yameng2, CHEN Li2, TANG Hui3
1. School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 405200, China; 2. Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
Abstract：Digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an emerging technology for quantitative analysis of nucleic acids, employing the same fluorescence chemistry as quantitative PCR (qPCR) but different mathematical principles to achieve absolute quantification of target nucleic acid sequences, without the reliance on external references such as standard curve. This technology is both conceptually simple and extremely robust in terms of assay performance, including increased sensitivity, precision, reproducibility and repeatability. Digital PCR technology has been widely used in life science research and applications. In the field of medical testing, digital PCR provides accurate quantification of disease-related nucleic acid biomarkers, enabling early diagnosis of diseases, monitoring of disease progression and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy as well. The emergence of digital PCR will push the medical testing into the stage of precise quantification. Here we review the progress and cutting edge of digital PCR technology, especially droplet digital PCR technology in the field of infectious diseases.
赵云1，王蕾2，郭雅萌2，陈力2，汤慧3. 数字聚合酶链反应及其在感染性疾病中的应用[J]. 微生物与感染, 2019, 14(3): 185-192.
ZHAO Yun1, WANG Lei2, GUO Yameng2, CHEN Li2, TANG Hui3. Principle of digital polymerase chain reaction and its application in infectious diseases. JOURNAL OF MICROBES AND INFECTIONS, 2019, 14(3): 185-192.
2019, Vol. 14 
