Primer based assays Terms

In general terms, DNA-based assays are easier to develop than immunoassays since the only requirements are the availability of the gene or DNA sequence to be targeted. These sequences are needed to design primers (PCR) and probes (RT-PCR) as well as for determining the G/C ratio to optimize assay conditions. This information can be obtained from databases, and software is available to facilitate the design of primers and probes. These probes have also become less expensive to produce. 

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