Reverse Transcriptase-polymerase Chain Reaction

(RT-PCR) Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is an essential and highly accurate method used in clinical, scientific and research laboratories to amplify and detect small amounts of DNA or RNA. RT-PCR works by copying small amounts of genetic material (RNA or DNA) in the form of complementary DNA (cDNA) using the enzyme Reverse Transcriptase and then amplifying this cDNA thousands of times using a process called the Polymerase Chain Reaction. This makes it possible to identify and measure the amount of a specific gene present in a sample. RT-PCR is used in various applications including the diagnosis of infectious diseases, identification of genetic mutations, monitoring gene expression and many more. The RT-PCR technique is a highly accurate and reliable method for detecting even low levels of genetic material.