Discussions

The first and most widely used technique for detecting nucleic acids is polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Typically, gel electrophoresis and nuclear acid intercalating fluorescent dyes are used to see the results of PCR amplification. Real-time or quantitative PCR (qPCR), which has recently been created, may track the production of nucleic acid products in real time by measuring the quantity of fluorescence produced instead of using gel electrophoresis, but it will lengthen the experiment's time, complexity, and cost.

With the discovery of fluorescent RNA aptamers, there is exciting anticipation that target RNA sequences can be amplified successfully. This technology was previously used to track in vitro transcription, but Creative Biolabs has since enhanced and perfected it, making a breakthrough by fusing their synthesis and amplification and using it in isothermal research. We were able to find the RNA aptamer-Lemon using the SELEX screening method, and it has a high affinity for and specificity towards fluorescent dye.

For more: RNA Imaging for SARS-CoV-2