Taq Polymerase

Taq polymerase is an enzyme isolated from the bacterium- Thermus aquaticus. Its main use is in PCR reactions where its resistance to damage from high temperatures is essential. 

During PCR, Taq pol is used to extend the primers attached to the single stranded DNA and therefore create new pieces of DNA complementary to the original sample. This step is repeated 30 times at a temperature of 72 degrees to produce an amplified sample of  the DNA which at its increased volume, is ideal for DNA sequencing.