RT-qPCR

RT-qPCR (reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction) is a laboratory technique used to measure the amount of specific genetic material, like virus RNA or gene transcripts, in a sample. It first converts RNA into DNA using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. Then, it uses DNA amplification and fluorescence detection to quantify how much DNA (and thus original RNA) is present, in real-time during the process. This method is highly sensitive and precise, often used for diagnosing infections, gene expression analysis, and research, providing critical insights into the presence and quantity of target genetic material.