Real-time polymerase chain reaction shifts emphasis from the end product of the biomedical technique to the whole course of the PCR process and has established itself, according to editor Dorak (School of Clinical Medical Sciences-Child Health, Newcastle U., UK), as the "most sensitive and specific quantitative PCR method." He presents a laboratory "how-to" guide to real-time PCR, first presenting chapters on the basics of data analysis, quantification, normalization, and principles of primer and probe design. This first section of the book concludes with chapters on applied aspects such as high-resolution melting analysis. The second half of the text covers applications in more detail and offers chapters on quantitative analyses of DNA methylation, mitochondrial DNA analysis, real-time immuno-PCR, clinical microbiology and virology, solid organ transplant modeling,real-time-PCR applications in hematology, and prenatal diagnosis of monogenic disease caused by single nucleotide changes.
Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Real-time polymerase chain reaction shifts emphasis from the end product of the biomedical technique to the whole course of the PCR process and has established itself, according to editor Dorak (School of Clinical Medical Sciences-Child Health, Newcastle U., UK), as the "most sensitive and specific quantitative PCR method." He presents a laboratory "how-to" guide to real-time PCR, first presenting chapters on the basics of data analysis, quantification, normalization, and principles of primer and probe design. This first section of the book concludes with chapters on applied aspects such as high-resolution melting analysis. The second half of the text covers applications in more detail and offers chapters on quantitative analyses of DNA methylation, mitochondrial DNA analysis, real-time immuno-PCR, clinical microbiology and virology, solid organ transplant modeling,real-time-PCR applications in hematology, and prenatal diagnosis of monogenic disease caused by single nucleotide changes. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The BIOS Advanced Methods series is intended for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and established research scientists. Titles in this series are designed to cover current important areas of research in life sciences, and include both theoretical background and detailed protocols. The aim is to give researchers sufficient theory, supported by references, to take the given protocols and adapt them to their particular experimental systems.

Real-time PCR is based on the conventional principles of PCR and, with the simple shift of emphasis from the end-product to the whole course of the PCR process, has established itself as the most sensitive and specific quantitative PCR method. Real-time PCR is, like any other modern method in molecular genetics, expanding, with potential applications even in proteomics.

With a variety of detection chemistries, an increasing number of platforms, multiple choices for analytical methods and the jargon emerging along with these developments, real-time PCR is facing the risk of becoming an intimidating method, especially for beginners. Real-Time PCR provides the basics, explains how they are exploited to run a real-time PCR assay, how the assays are run and where these assays are informative in real life. It doesn't cover every aspect of real-time PCR, but addresses the most practical aspects of the techniques with the emphasis on 'how to do it in the laboratory'. Keeping with the spirit of the Advanced Methods Series, most chapters provide an experimental protocol as an example of a specific assay.