Here the authors present a nanomaterial-assisted PCR technique based on the use of thermal generation from magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) under AC magnetic fields. In this approach, MNPs work as internal nano thermal generators to realize PCR thermal cycling. In order to suppress the non-specific absorption of DNA synthetic enzymes, MNPs are decorated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), forming BSA/MNP complexes. Under high-frequency AC magnetic fields, these complexes work as internal nano thermal generators, thereby producing the typical temperature required for PCR thermal cycling, and perform all the reaction processes of PCR amplification in the place of conventional PCR thermal cyclers. (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.