When should 1-step Reverse Transcription PCR be used instead of 2-step RT-PCR? Not to be confused with real-time PCR, RT PCR is a 2-phase process whereby a cDNA molecule is first synthesized from a RNA template, utilizing various priming strategies, and then in the second phase, the cDNA is copied many fold over using conventional PCR. Through the early days, 2-step kits were thought to provide consistently superior results, if at the cost of a more cumbersome protocol. Most often, 1-step kits were chosen because of convenience, requirements for throughput or the lack of challenging analysis. These 1-step kits primarily suffered from the possibility of primer-dimer formation during the "low temperature" RT reaction phase. Today, the primer dimer effect has largely been mitigated by the inclusion of hot start PCR enzymes. Still 1-step and 2-step RT-PCR have found unique niches at today's bench. Visit the BioRT One Step RT-PCR Kit for details on how this product is ideal for creation and analysis of abundant mRNAs of less than 4 kb. And how the BioRT Two Step RT-PCR Kit can be used for rare RNAs or creation of cDNA libraries up to 12kb. Both utilize AMV reverse transcriptase, for high temp reverse transcription to reduce secondary structure effects, and can be purchased at less than $2 per reaction.

Every calendar quarter we give away 30 scientist bobble heads to subscribers to The Barker who correctly answer a riddle or logic problem. If you know the answer to the Q3 (July, August and September) challenge, click here for a chance to win a free Pillars of Science bobble head.

Many of you may be familiar with the radical technologies employed in the recently introduced Turbo Encabulator from Rockwell International. If not, then we invite you to watch a video clip of a short technical description of the product. And to answer this month's puzzle, let us know what's needed to reduce sinusoidal depleneration whenever a barescent skor motion is required on this amazing device.