About the PCR Simulator
This PCR Simulator game is an interactive way to explore how polymerase chain
reaction works in the lab — without pipettes, thermocyclers, or gels.
Instead of preparing reagents at the bench, you can click to add template
DNA, primers, dNTPs, buffer, polymerase, and water into a virtual reaction
tube. Once the mix is complete, set the cycle conditions and watch the
simulation generate a gel with your expected amplicon size.
The tool is designed as a teaching and learning aid: you can see why all
six reagents are needed, how primer positions define the final product, and
how cycle numbers and efficiency affect the outcome. Students can run a
demo mix to get started, teachers can project it in class, and anyone
curious about DNA amplification can experiment freely in a safe, playful
environment.
Like the real polymerase chain reaction, the simulator highlights concepts
such as forward and reverse primers, amplicon length in base pairs, and the
appearance of bands on an agarose gel alongside a DNA ladder. It helps make
abstract molecular biology concepts visible and intuitive, turning a
complex lab technique into an approachable learning experience.
Disclaimer: This simulator is for educational and
illustrative purposes only. It does not perform real DNA sequence analysis
or predict experimental results with scientific accuracy. Always rely on
validated laboratory protocols and equipment for actual PCR experiments.