New nucleic acid amplification techniques in diagnostic pathology

In 1985, Mullis discovered an exponentially increasing amplification system for nucleic acids, which became known as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This method permits the selective in vitro amplification of a particular DNA region by mimicking phenomena of in vivo DNA replication. Since then, many advances in PCR practice have been achieved, In this review, we will discuss the new techniques of in situ PCR, ligase chain reaction (LCR), transcription‐based amplification system (TAS) and the isothermal replication system, self‐sustained sequence replication (3SR). Many of the techniques described still remain largely research tools, however with further modifications they may become of use in routine diagnostic procedures in the next century.