Real-Time Quantitative PCR 

Real-Time Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is currently the gold standard for accurate and sensitive quantification of specific nucleic acid sequences in biological samples.  It combines fluorescent based assays with the conventional polymerase chain reaction to simultaneously amplify and detect accumulation of PCR product in 'real- time'. Changes in fluorescence measured at initial amplification are directly proportional to the input amount of target DNA or RNA and this is the basis of subsequent quantitative analysis.

Applications

Real-Time PCR has a wide range of applications across diverse areas of scientific research, diagnostics and biotechnology. Common applications employ relative quantitative methods such as in gene expression profiling, microRNA and siRNA analysis. Other methods require absolute quantification such as determination of gene copy number or viral load and library validation for sequencing. By combining real-time assays with post-run reads, this technology can also be used for allelic discrimination or SNP detection and high resolution melt curve analysis.