Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ONC-007414",
  "term": "Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction",
  "field": "Oncology and biomedicine",
  "definition": "A laboratory method used to make many copies of a specific genetic sequence for analysis. It uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to change a specific piece of RNA into a matching piece of DNA. This piece of DNA is then amplified (made in large numbers) by another enzyme called DNA polymerase. The amplified DNA copies help tell whether a specific mRNA molecule is being made by a gene. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction may be used to look for certain changes in a gene or chromosome or for activation of certain genes, which may help diagnose a disease, such as cancer. It may also be used to study the RNA of certain viruses, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis C virus, to help diagnose and monitor an infection. Also called RT-PCR.",
  "synonyms": [
    "RT-PCR"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oncology/reverse-transcription-polymerase-chain-reaction/"
}