The Quantitation and detection of nucleic acids continues to evolve as new technologies become accessible to researchers from many disciplines. As we approach the 25th anniversary of PCR’s conception, changes in existing PCR-based technologies will soon be in sight.

1. Is the utility of PCR decreasing?
2. Will alternative technologies supplant PCR-based methods?

Advances in nucleic acid detection and quantification is a Biochemical Society Focused Meeting being held on the 28th and 29th October 2008 at Hinxton Hall, Cambridge, UK. The aim of this meeting is to push towards the application of new methods and concepts for measuring specific nucleic acid populations.