What is RT-qPCR (Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR)?

RT-qPCR (Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR) is a laboratory technique that combines RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription PCR) with qPCR (Quantitative PCR) to amplify and detect targets of interest.

RT-qPCR can be performed in a one-step or a two-step assay and is usually the preferred technique when RNA is used as the starting material. In this method, RNA is first transcribed from total RNA or messenger RNA (mRNA) into complementary DNA (cDNA) by reverse transcriptase. The newly generated cDNA is then used as the template for the qPCR reaction.

RT-qPCR is used in a wide range of applications including genetic testing, gene expression analysis, microarray validation, disease research, pathogen detection, and RNAi validation.