Reverse Transcription PCR

Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) is a laboratory technique used to convert RNA into DNA and then amplify that DNA to study specific genes. This process is particularly useful for measuring gene expression levels, as it allows scientists to analyze RNA, which reflects active genes in a cell. First, reverse transcription synthesizes complementary DNA (cDNA) from RNA, and then polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifies this cDNA for detection. RT-PCR has important applications in medical diagnostics, research, and understanding diseases, including viral infections.