Customization is key―tailoring RT-qPCR for modern assays

In this Mol Bio Minutes mini-episode, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Agnė Žiupkaitė takes listeners on a journey through the evolving world of RNA assay development—focusing specifically on 1-Step RT-qPCR. She outlines the critical considerations for assay developers, including enzyme speed, robustness, and the growing demand for customizable reagents that meet both technical and regulatory needs.

Highlighting Thermo Fisher’s SuperScript reverse transcriptase family—particularly the Lyo-ready SuperScript III Flash RT—Agnė explains how innovations in enzyme design have broken past bottlenecks in assay workflow, enabling reverse transcription in under a minute. She also explores the power of customization, from labeling and fill formats to enzyme formulation changes and glycerol-free options that support microfluidic platforms and lyophilization.

Agnė offers practical insight into how raw material suppliers can serve as collaborative partners, not just vendors. She emphasizes the importance of commercial rights, scalability, and regulatory readiness when sourcing components for commercial assay kits. Whether you're an OEM kit developer or a scientist building the next molecular breakthrough, this episode is packed with actionable insights to improve efficiency, reliability, and speed.

Helpful resource links mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about raw materials for molecular diagnostics
• Order Lyo-ready SuperScript III Flash Transcriptase
• Visit this page to expand your knowledge of reverse transcription

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For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.