Answer: The applications of PCR in molecular biology and clinical diagnostics include:

Routine Diagnostics: PCR serves as a standard diagnostic tool for identifying, confirming, and quantifying specific DNA sequences.

Presence/Absence Testing: It is used for detecting the presence or absence of pathogens, such as identifying tuberculosis (TB) in sputum samples and determining appropriate treatment choices.

Differentiation of Organisms: PCR can differentiate between closely related organisms, for example, distinguishing between swine flu and human influenza, specifically within the H1N1 subtype.

Viral Load Measurement: PCR helps determine the quantity of viral RNA, such as measuring the HIV viral load to guide treatment decisions and monitoring the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals for COVID-19 diagnosis.

Review: PCR and its Role in Diagnostics (Genomics)