4 ms·
> is present or it is not. Yes. And don't you use a /threshold/ mechanism to detect presence? Or you have tests so sensitive that a /single/ molecule or equi
by timewizard 2y ago
> is present or it is not.
Yes. And don't you use a /threshold/ mechanism to detect presence? Or you have tests so sensitive that a /single/ molecule or equivalent will deliver a reliably positive signal? I mean if it's that good why are you even doing PCR amplification in the first place?
> the standard is 30±10 cycles
The difference between 2^30 and 2^40 is massive.
- stonogo 2y agoYes, if the DNA target is present, it will be replicated. If it is not, it will not. The point is to see whether that happens (positive result) or not (negative result). If, after PCR, there is a shitload of viral DNA in your assay, you know the virus was present in the sample. You compare assays between pre and post PCR samples to determine this. The difference between a shitload and a bigger shitload reflects cycle count but not the nature of the result.