I Know that RT-PCR is Reverse Transcription PCR when the starting material is RNA. Going for reverse transcription first (RNA to cDNA) and then it could be conventional PCR with the need for gel electrophoresis or it could be real-time PCR reading the results without electrophoresis.
qPCR measures the amplification or we can say quantification, so qPCR and real-time PCR are the same? qPCR can be RT-qPCR if RNA is starting genetic material in reaction? Please if someone could clarify all these things in simple manner, it would be helpful.
Hello Meghraj
Let me explain to you. As rightly mentioned by you RT-PCR uses RNA as the starting material which is converted to cDNA by reverse transcriptase and once the cDNA is formed the standard PCR procedure is performed to amplify the cDNA.
In RT-qPCR the first step mentioned above remains unchanged i.e. RNA is converted to cDNA by reverse transcriptase. However, the second step changes. qPCR is performed on the cDNA so formed which means the DNA is quantified in real time either using a dye-based qPCR or probe-based qPCR.
So as you mentioned above, qPCR and Real Time-PCR are the same.
As you asked, qPCR can be RT-qPCR only and only if the starting genetic material is RNA and and the quantification of the cDNA is done by real time PCR.
I hope I have been able to explain in a simple manner.
Best wishes.
Meghraj Chavhan I am agreed with Malcolm Nobre who has explained the required terms in a very precise and understandable way. There are two types of measurements, qualitative and quantitative. When real time PCR quantify the amount of DNA it is considered as qPCR since the starting material was RNA so it would be Realtime (RT) PCR.
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