Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is one of the most powerful and sensitive gene analysis techniques available to bioscientists. The amplification of DNA primers is automated and followed via choice of two different fluorescent probe molecules as it occurs. This enables very sensitive detection of DNA replicates and also provides melting point analysis to confirm presence of desired amplicons. The instrument is used primarily for quantitation of gene expression as well as for quality control and assay validation.