Classical PCR greatly amplifies a specific sequence of DNA for analysis or molecular cloning. qPCR starts with mRNA or total RNA, makes a cDNA complimentary strand using reverse transcriptase, and then amplifies the product. The amount of cDNA, and therefore mRNA, present in a sample can be quantitatively determined based on a standard of known quantity, or qualitatively assessed relative to the level of mRNA in a control sample.

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