How to Use polymerase chain reaction in a Sentence

polymerase chain reaction

noun
Definition of polymerase chain reactionnext
  • The second is a laboratory procedure known as a polymerase chain reaction test, or PCR.
    — Duncan Strauss, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Jan. 2020
  • When a sample is placed in the SigNify, the device uses a polymerase chain reaction to reproduce the tags for easy identification.
    — Matt Allyn, Popular Mechanics, 15 May 2018
  • The tests sold by the grocery stores are one of the most common types, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
    — Brittany Meiling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2020
  • Both antigen tests and polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests are used to test for covid-19.
    — Alex Golden, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2021
  • Broadly, these tests all use a method called a polymerase chain reaction, or PCR.
    — Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, 31 July 2020
  • The saliva test is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, so samples are sent to a lab to be tested.
    — Jackie Borchardt, The Enquirer, 27 Aug. 2020
  • The standard polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests for the coronavirus home in on three segments of the virus genome.
    — Jason Douglas, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2020
  • The tests work by growing large amounts of the virus using a reaction called the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR.
    — Matthew Herper, STAT, 16 Apr. 2020
  • Labcorp's test is a PCR, or polymerase chain reaction test.
    — Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 17 May 2022
  • They are often known as PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, tests.
    — Brieanna J. Frank, azcentral, 9 May 2020
  • Hogan said the state still has a sufficient supply of rapid tests and the more sensitive polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests.
    — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, 19 Jan. 2022
  • The standard way to detect a virus is using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
    — Julia Hollingsworth, CNN, 24 Mar. 2020
  • These tests are not as sensitive as polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing, which has been the main method of screening for Covid-19.
    — NBC News, 1 Apr. 2021
  • This is done using a technique called a polymerase chain reaction.
    — Helena Oliviero, ajc, 4 Dec. 2021
  • Most countries prefer the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test; a few accept the rapid antigen test.
    — National Geographic, 20 Nov. 2020
  • The polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test is considered to be the most accurate, but there are also rapid tests, some of which can be done at home.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2022
  • The antigen tests are also cheaper than a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, the results of which could take anywhere from a day up to a week to appear.
    — James Whitlow, baltimoresun.com, 2 Sep. 2020
  • DeWine said a rate combining the two is about 1 percentage point less than the rate for polymerase chain reaction tests only.
    — Briana Rice, The Enquirer, 21 Dec. 2020
  • The cases added to the state's tallies included 1,285 that were confirmed through polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests.
    — Andy Davis, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2020
  • These kits take more processing time and use a method called polymerase chain reaction, or P.C.R., to detect the coronavirus.
    — New York Times, 26 Feb. 2021
  • If a rapid test result comes back positive, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is taken and sent to a state lab for testing for the variant.
    — Angie Jackson, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2021
  • Most samples probably will go through what is known as a polymerase chain reaction test.
    — Dallas News, 1 Apr. 2020
  • Molecular tests like the PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, test has been the most common test throughout the pandemic.
    — Dallas News, 10 Sep. 2020
  • The program will provide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests at no cost to residents.
    — Janelle Jessen, Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2022
  • The rapid tests are a valuable tool because of the speed of the results, but are less accurate than traditional polymerase chain reaction tests.
    — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, 23 Feb. 2021
  • Anyone who tests positive then receives a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm the first test.
    — Nathan Baird, cleveland, 30 Nov. 2020
  • The cases added to state tallies included 155 that were confirmed through polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests.
    — Andy Davis, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2021
  • At the men’s event in Indiana, players are using a polymerase chain reaction — or PCR — test, which is considered the best test available.
    — Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Mar. 2021
  • However, getting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test requires a lab visit that can be time-consuming and take days to get your results back.
    — Nsisong Asanga, Health, 12 May 2023
  • Research shows that one common test, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction or qPCR test, has up to a 20% variability in results and testing on different days can lead to different results.
    — Jodi Helmer, Fortune Well, 12 Mar. 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polymerase chain reaction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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