Tecan Crescendo cDNA Synthesis for qPCR kit

Tecan has launched the Crescendo cDNA Synthesis for qPCR system to provide increased sensitivity for low-input applications. Developed specifically to meet the needs of researchers working with scarce, precious or degraded RNA samples — such as nasal swabs — it uses Tecan’s Single Primer Isothermal Amplification (SPIA) technology to generate large quantities of cDNA from as little as 500 pg of total RNA.

SPIA technology is robust, easy to use and suitable for qPCR applications, offering unbiased cDNA amplification across a broad input range. The Crescendo kit optimises this technique for limited, degraded or FFPE samples, allowing analysis of previously inaccessible samples and providing sufficient material for both qPCR and archiving.

The kit offers a practical alternative to first strand synthesis for whole transcriptome approaches, increasing the number of copies of the target gene to enable accurate detection by qPCR. It is suited to use with nasal swab and biopsy formats, allowing 500 pg to 50 ng of total RNA to be amplified to generate micrograms of cDNA for downstream applications.

The system offers a flexible solution for labs performing whole transcriptome qPCR approaches. It provides amplification of samples across a broad input range and represents a simple solution for sensitive qPCR and archiving, without consuming large amounts of precious samples.