The gene therapy landscape continues to accelerate in preclinical and clinical research, with programs constantly in development for targeted, personalized medicines. The goal is to safely incorporate genetic alterations to restore and repair the proteins of missing and/or faulty genes. Gene therapy requires DNA and/or RNA delivery and analysis, and while most ongoing research involves therapies being delivered in vivo via adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, other in vivo delivery methods are on the rise.

Quantitative, digital, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (qPCR, dPCR, and RT-PCR, respectively) are fast and cost-effective techniques employed by Altasciences. These methods are invaluable for quantitative analysis of gene expression and for analyzing genetic variation in amplified DNA and RNA. This ability to analyze variation from limited samples has made genetic diagnosis easier than ever. But how are PCR analysis techniques applied? And how are they incorporated into studies?

Issue 37 of The Altascientist takes a closer look at these techniques, with in-depth information on:

• qPCR, dPCR, and RT-PCR and their utilities—including droplet digital PCR (ddPCR);
• regulatory considerations;
• PCR applications, advantages, and comparisons; 
• and case studies.