Real-time PCR machine

聚合酶链式反应(PCR)是一种用于扩增DNA靶区的分子生物学技术。它还可以用来扩增RNA的靶区，如果在此之前进行RNA到DNA的逆转录。聚合酶链式反应可以很容易地检测到样本中甚至微量的DNA或RNA。最近，添加了染料和探针，只有在聚合酶链式反应过程中掺入DNA时才会发出荧光，从而实现了对聚合酶链式反应产物的实时定量。这项创新已被证明非常有用，例如，通过提供信使RNA(MRNA)转录本的定量测量，了解细胞如何根据新陈代谢需求打开和关闭基因，以及如何响应环境应激。此外，在最终的聚合酶链式反应循环之后，聚合酶链式反应产物的融化允许通过荧光来分离基因类型和鉴定突变。这些最新的应用需要一种具有用于荧光激发和发射检测的光学装置的特殊的聚合酶链式反应热循环仪，即“实时聚合酶链式反应机器”。我们需要一台实时聚合酶链式反应机器，Root-gene RG6，以利用这些创新技术为我们面向学生的研究项目提供生态毒理学(Drevnick和Couture)、生物地球化学(Laurion)和废水处理(Brar和Tyagi)。该仪器也将向我们中心的其他研究人员完全开放。使用费将包括运营和维护费用。INRS-ETE目前缺乏分子生物学能力，实时PCR机的加入将对许多以学生为导向的研究项目有利。

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular biology technique used to amplify target regions of DNA. It can also be used to amplify target regions of RNA, if preceded by the reverse transcription of RNA to DNA. PCR allows for the easy detection of even trace amounts of DNA or RNA in a sample. Recently, the addition of dyes and probes that fluoresce only when incorporated into DNA during PCR allows for the real-time quantification of PCR products. This innovation has proven extremely useful, for example, in understanding how cells turn genes on and off according to metabolic needs and in response to environmental stressors by providing a quantitative measure of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts. Further, melting of the PCR products following the final PCR cycle allows for, by fluorescence, the separation of genotypes and the identification of mutations. These newest applications require a special PCR thermocycler that has optics for fluorescence excitation and emission detection, i.e., a "real-time PCR machine". We are requesting a real-time PCR machine, the Rotor-Gene RG6, to utilize these innovations for our student-oriented research programs in ecotoxicology (Drevnick and Couture), biogeochemistry (Laurion), and wastewater treatment (Brar and Tyagi). The instrument will also be made fully accessible to other researchers at our Center. User fees will cover operation and maintenance costs. INRS-ETE is currently lacking in molecular biology capabilities, and the addition of the real-time PCR machine will be a boon to many student-oriented research programs.