• Articles
  • 23/09/2024

Taq polymerase, originating from Thermus aquaticus, is an incredible enzyme that loves the heat. Why is this important? Because Taq polymerase has been a crucial tool in the development of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique.

First, the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the PCR technique went to Kary Mullis in 1983. Then, in 1986, thanks to Randall K. Saiki, Taq polymerase joined the game because it can withstand high temperatures. Thanks to it, copying short DNA fragments in the reaction became ridiculously simple and fast. Its resistance to extreme conditions made it an icon in the scientific community.

Taq polymerase is a symbol of resilience and adaptability. Its discovery paved the way for a new era of molecular exploration, where scientists could unravel the intricacies of life at the molecular level with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

One can confidently say that Taq polymerase is a legendary enzyme that opened the door to countless discoveries in the field of molecular biology.