text: This technique can be used to determine the number of microsatellite repeats in a sample.
full_question: This technique can be used to determine the number of microsatellite repeats in a sample. When there is excessive nonspecific activity, this procedure is modified with a gradual ramp-down of a certain parameter. Practitioners of this technique generally use a "master mix" which contains magnesium chloride and dNTPs. The products of this technique can be visualized by staining with ethidium bromide and running a gel. This procedure is conducted in thermocyclers, which can change the temperatures for the denaturation, annealing, and elongation stages. For 10 points name this technique that uses the heat-stable "Taq" polymerase to amplify target DNA sequences.
first_sentence: This technique can be used to determine the number of microsatellite repeats in a sample.
raw_answer: PCR [or polymerase chain reaction; accept "touchdown PCR"]