Mullis博士在发明PCR技术后曾这样描述:“用一个单分子DNA,PCR能在一个下午内产生100百万个相似的分子。反应很容易进行,只需要一个管子、一些简单的试剂和一个用来加热的设备”(Beginning with a single molecule of the genetic material DNA, the PCR can generate 100 billion similar molecules in an afternoon. The reaction is easy to execute. It requires no more than a test tube, a few simple reagents, and a source of heat)