Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) converts RNA into complementary DNA and amplifies selected sequences, allowing RNA targets to be detected and analyzed.

Reverse transcription: The synthesis of DNA from an RNA template by a reverse transcriptase enzyme. This first stage converts the RNA target into DNA that PCR can amplify.
Influenza testing: Laboratory testing used to detect influenza viruses or evidence of infection. RT-PCR can identify influenza by amplifying viral RNA sequences.
Quantitative PCR: PCR that measures DNA amplification during each cycle using fluorescent signals. Quantitative PCR tracks amplification in real time, unlike endpoint RT-PCR.
RNA: A nucleic acid made of ribose nucleotides that functions in gene expression and other cellular processes. It is the starting material whose sequence the assay aims to detect.
One-step RT-PCR: An RT-PCR format that performs reverse transcription and PCR in the same reaction tube. It combines both stages while reducing sample handling.
Complementary DNA: DNA synthesized from an RNA template, typically using reverse transcriptase. The product of reverse transcription serves as the template for amplification.
HIV viral load: The amount of HIV RNA in a volume of blood, measured to assess infection and treatment response. RNA amplification enables quantification of circulating HIV genomes.
Reverse transcription quantitative PCR: A method that converts RNA into DNA and quantifies amplification in real time. It adds real-time measurement to the RNA-to-DNA workflow.
DNA: A nucleic acid that stores hereditary information in most organisms. The assay converts RNA into DNA because PCR amplifies DNA templates.
Two-step RT-PCR: An RT-PCR format that synthesizes complementary DNA separately before PCR amplification. Separating the stages allows one cDNA preparation to support multiple assays.

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