Real-Time PCR / Quantitative PCR (qPCR)

Real-Time PCR, also referred to as Quantitative PCR (or qPCR), was developed as a precise, efficient and rapid nucleic acid detection method. This technique is based on traditional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology with a few improvements: real-Time PCR combines nucleic acid amplification and detection all in one step, it uses smaller amounts of starting material, quantifying the product is based on fluorescent detection and there is no post-amplification process. Detection is live and based on when the pcr product is amplified above the threshold of background or the cycle threshold number (Ct number). Far different from the former end-point method of standard PCR techniques, Real-Time PCR can be quantitative. Thus, Real-Time PCR earned the alternate and distinctive name of qPCR.