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In this updated second edition of the much praised Clinical Applications of PCR, leading researchers apply molecular diagnostics to the many recent advances that have occurred in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technologies. Highlights include real-time PCR, which allows the technique to be performed in a quantitative manner with improved sensitivity, robustness, and resilience to carryover contamination, mass spectrometric analysis of nucleic acids, and circulating cell-free nucleic acids in plasma. The authors apply these innovations to a broad spectrum of applications, including gene expression, methylation, trace molecule, gene dosage, and single cell analysis. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. State-of-the-art and highly practical, Clinical Applications of PCR, Second Edition, will help today's laboratorians and researchers working in molecular diagnostics harness the power of these techniques with unprecedented sensitivity and ease.