Real-Time RT-PCR for Gene Expression Tracking

Real-time RT-PCR tracks gene expression by measuring how much target DNA is made during PCR. It starts with mRNA, which is converted into complementary DNA, or cDNA, by an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. The cDNA is then amplified by PCR so the target sequence can be measured.

This method ca...

Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, or Real-time RT-PCR, can quantify an RNA of interest as the reaction progresses.

To begin, reverse transcriptase copies the RNA into complementary, or cDNA. RNase H  digests the original RNA, leaving behind small primers attached to the cDNA.

A complementary strand is then ...