QPCR

Definition

qPCR, or quantitative PCR, is a laboratory technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule in real-time. It allows researchers to measure the amount of a specific DNA sequence in a sample.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. qPCR uses fluorescent dyes or probes to detect and quantify DNA as it is amplified.
2. It can be used to quantify gene expression levels by measuring RNA after it's converted to cDNA.
3. The technique involves cycles of denaturation, annealing, and extension similar to traditional PCR but with real-time data collection.
4. qPCR data are often presented as Ct values, which represent the cycle number at which the fluorescence signal exceeds the background level.
5. It is highly sensitive and can detect low levels of nucleic acids in a sample.

Review Questions

• What does qPCR stand for and what is its primary use?
• How does qPCR differ from traditional PCR?
• What are Ct values in the context of qPCR?

Related terms

cDNA: Complementary DNA synthesized from an RNA template using reverse transcriptase.

Fluorescent Probes: Molecules that emit fluorescence when bound to their target DNA or RNA sequences in qPCR.

Denaturation: The process of breaking double-stranded DNA into single strands by heating during PCR cycles.