Inventing Rapid Real-Time PCR
Rapid PCR and Real-Time PCR are two techniques commonly used today in research and molecular pathology. In the late 1980's and into the 1990's, Dr. Carl Wittwer had a small laboratory in the University of Utah's Department of Pathology. This is where he built many of his own PCR instruments and invented real-time methods using SYBR Green and FRET hybridization probes.
The Factor V Leiden mutation assay was the first clinical assay Dr.Wittwer developed at ARUP Laboratories using rapid real-time PCR. It is also one of the first molecular genetic tests to be FDA approved.
Please click on the images below to see historical photos of the development of the Rapid Cycler and Light Cycler.
Building the Rapid Cycler"No one was selling a thermal cycler, so I decided to build one...
And it had to be fast!" |
Building the LightCycler"We used a hair dryer, a vacuum cleaner and a flowcytometer...
It was big and loud!" |
