Making PCR

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This account offers a captivating look into the invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a groundbreaking biotech discovery that revolutionized molecular biology. PCR enhances scientists' capabilities to identify and manipulate genetic materials, enabling the rapid reproduction of millions of copies of specific DNA segments, thus transforming scarce genetic material into an abundant resource for experimentation. The narrative delves into the biotechnology culture that developed at Certus Corporation during the 1980s, examining the interplay of scientific, technical, social, economic, political, and legal factors that shaped this field. It features interviews with key figures involved in the creation of PCR, including Kary Mullis, the Nobel laureate credited with its discovery, along with a team of innovative scientists and business leaders. The book illustrates how a unique practice emerged through the collaboration of diverse individuals, their work environment, and the invention itself. Critics praise the work for its detailed exploration of the discovery process and its ethnographic approach to understanding the realities of scientific work in the lab, raising important questions about the nature of innovation in biomedical research.