
The "aha" moment and initial experiments in 1983 through which Kary Mullis developed the idea of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are a well trodden story.
References
1. K. Mullis, "The first polymerase chain reaction," The Scientist, 17(4):11, Feb. 24, 2003. 2. R. Saiki, et al., "Enzymatic amplification of beta-globin genomic sequences and restriction site analysis for diagnosis of sickle cell anemia," Science, 230:1350-4, 1985. 3. US Patent 4,683,202, filed Oct. 25, 1985; issued July 28, 1987. A second patent (4,683,195, filed Feb. 7, 1986; issued July 28, 1987), with Mullis and others as inventors, further described the technique and claims. 4. US Patent 4,889,818, filed June 17, 1987; issued Dec. 26, 1989.Interested in reading more?
