Amplicon

In molecular biology, an amplicon is a DNA sequence or RNA sequence. An amplicon can be formed artificially by various methods such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or the ligase chain reaction (LCR) or naturally by gene duplication. The product is called an amplificate. The length is determined by the distance between the primers.

In this context, the term amplification refers to the production of one or more copies of a genetic fragment or target sequence, in particular the amplicon. As it refers to the product of an amplification reaction, amplicon is used interchangeably with common laboratory terms such as "PCR product".

Artificial amplification is used in research, forensics and medicine to detect and quantify infectious agents, identify human remains and extract genotypes from human hair, among other things.

Natural gene duplication plays an important role in evolution. In this context, the term amplicon can refer both to a section of chromosomal DNA that has been excised, amplified and reinserted elsewhere in the genome, and to a fragment of extrachromosomal DNA called a double minute, each of which may consist of one or more genes. Amplification of the genes encoded by these amplicons generally increases the transcription of these genes and ultimately the amount of associated proteins.