Question

What is reverse transcription PCR?

Answer 1

1. The PCR technique can also be employed for the application of RNA molecules in which case it is referred to as Reverse transcription PCR (RT- PCR).
2. For this purpose, the RNA molecule (mRNA) must first be converted into complementary DNA (cDNA) by the enzyme Reverse Transcriptase.
3. The cDNA then serves as the template for PCR.
4. Different primers can be employed for the synthesis of first strand of cDNA.
5. These include use of random primers, oligo (dT) primer and a sequence of specific primer.