Recent developments in the optimization of thermostable DNA polymerases for efficient applications

Thermostable DNA polymerases have a crucial role in current methods of DNA amplification and sequencing. Major improvements in these methods have been made in recent years, largely as a result of a marked increase in our understanding of how DNA polymerases function, particularly in DNA sequencing and the polymerase chain reaction. There is an untapped potential in genetically modified DNA polymerases, which could provide significant advantages over their natural counterparts that are used today. The development of such enzymes would have an immediate impact on the efficiency and accuracy of DNA amplification applications essential to the success of the Human Genome Initiative.