the essential prerequisites for a quantitative RT-PCR assay should be that (1) a standard curve demonstrates the range over which PCR product yield provides a reliable measure of mRNA input ...

or real-time RT–PCR. Fast and accurate, real-time RT–PCR has been critical in detecting, tracking and studying COVID-19. But what is it, and how does it work? Let us explain.

Plotting fluorescence against cycle number and comparing the results to a standard curve (produced by real-time PCR of known amounts of DNA) enables scientists to determine the amount of DNA ...