(CNN) -- One is widespread but has key shortages across its supply chain. One remains questionably reliable and is only helpful after the fact. And one is still early in development -- but could speed ...

With laboratory methods and diagnostics advancing apace, Francesca Lake considers whether PCR is likely to retain its crown as an essential lab method, or whether it could be replaced and consigned to ...

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test detects genetic material from a pathogen or abnormal cell sample. Ways of collecting samples include a nasal swab, a saliva swab, or taking a sample of blood.