Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) enables the detection and quantification of PCR products in real time and is used widely in gene expression studies due to its high sensitivity, reproducibility and wide dynamic range. The technique uses double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)-binding dyes or target-specific fluorescently labeled primers and probes that hybridize with the target sequence to measure the relative amount of DNA. Most commercially available qPCR reagents contain wild-type, unmodified DNA polymerase, but these enzymes were never intended as tools for use in molecular biology. The performance differences among commercial qPCR kits are the result of differences in factors like buffer formulation and/or enzyme concentration.
Roche offers KAPA qPCR reagents containing DNA polymerase and other novel enzymes specifically selected through our directed evolution technology for qPCR applications. These confer significant improvements to reaction efficiency, sensitivity, speed, and signal-to-noise ratio.