In the meantime, here's a sneak peek, just a small sliceâthe first part of a 2-part excerpt from the addendum of Grantsmanship: Program Planning & Proposal Writing. The topic is the difference between a planning and an implementation (or program) grant proposal. Enjoy!
What is PCR (polymerase chain reaction)? Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique that is used to amplify trace amounts of DNA (and in some instances, RNA) located in or on almost any liquid or surface where DNA strands may be deposited.
PCR can detect the virus as well as identify the type of herpes virus. Because this test is more sensitive than culture, it is useful in circumstances where the virus is present in low numbers (such as viral encephalitis) or if the lesion is several days old.