Use of PCR for cDNA Library Screening

cDNA cloning from a library is now a routine laboratory practice. Hybridization screening with either radiolabeled or nonradiolabeled probes, which is laborious and time-consuming, has been commonly used. Application of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is surprisingly expanded (1 –3 ). Here a new application for cDNA library screening is reported: rapid cloning of full-length cDNAs by screening pools of cDNAs by PCR (RC-PCR) (4 ). This PCR-based cDNA screening technique is applicable to both bacteria and phage libraries.