Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a fundamental molecular biology technique that allows the amplification, that is, the generation of millions of copies of a specific DNA fragment from a very small amount of sample. This amplification makes it possible to study, detect, or analyze specific regions of genetic material that would otherwise be too small to work with.
Thanks to its precision and sensitivity, PCR is used in areas such as molecular diagnostics, forensic analysis, biomedical research, genetic studies, food safety, epidemiological surveillance, and more.
qPCR, or real-time PCR, is a variation of traditional PCR that allows the amount of DNA amplified to be detected and quantified while the reaction is taking place, not only at the end.
Unlike conventional PCR, qPCR uses:
– Fluorescent dyes or specific probes that emit light proportional to the amount of DNA generated.
– Specialized equipment that measures this fluorescence in real time.
RT-PCR combines two processes into one:
– Retrotranscription (RT): converts RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA) using the reverse transcriptase enzyme.
– PCR: amplifies that cDNA so it can be studied.
This type of PCR is essential when the target is not DNA, but RNA, such as:
– RNA genome viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and dengue.
– Gene expression studies.
– Messenger RNA analysis in tissues.
RT-PCR can be conventional or real-time (RT-qPCR), allowing RNA to be detected and quantified with very high sensitivity.
In highly sensitive techniques such as PCR, qPCR, and RT-PCR, water purity defines the precision of the experiment. Salvak ultrapure water provides safety for every reaction mix, ensuring consistency in every assay.