Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, or Quantitative PCR (qPCR), is a molecular method for quickly identifying specific pathogens based on analysis of their DNA.
• If the pathogen is present, a fragment of its DNA will be replicated exponentially through repeated heating and cooling cycles. As the DNA sequence is amplified, special equipment measures the proportional increase in fluorescence (light) generated with each cycle.
• Within just a few hours, the targeted pathogen is identified as either detected or absent. No further analysis or interpretation is required.
• Real-time PCR technology has been proven in many applications, including quantification of human pathogens and detecting biohazards in food, drinking water and the environment.