Analysis of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB) by Real-Time PCR Method (CAT#: STEM-MB-2937-LGZ)

Introduction

Approximately one-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making this microbe one of the most successful human pathogens. This is, amongst others, attributable to its ability to survive in the host for prolonged periods of time without inducing any symptoms and its capability to switch between this asymptomatic non-infectious phase and a clinically apparent infectious phase.<br />A real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR,or qPCR) is a laboratory technique of molecular biology based on the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). It monitors the amplification of a targeted DNA molecule during the PCR(i.e.,in real time),not at its end,as in conventional PCR.<br />Two common methods for the detection of PCR products in real-time PCR are(1)non-specific fluorescent dyes that intercalate with any double-stranded DNA and (2)sequence-specific DNA probes consisting of oligonucleotides that are labelled with a fluorescent reporter,which permits detection only after hybridization of the probe with its complementary sequence.