Exogenous genetic perturbation method error-prone PCR A method for the generation of random mutations in a DNA sequence during PCR amplification. Error-prone PCR is typically performed using reaction buffer conditions that reduce the fidelity of Taq DNA polymerase during DNA synthesis, leading to the introduction of random mutations in the amplified DNA fragment. The rate of mutations can be controlled by adjusting the number of PCR cycles and composition of the reaction buffer.