Thermo Scientific Reverse Transcriptases

Selecting the right reverse transcriptase for cDNA synthesis is critical to detecting low-abundance RNAs and efficiently transcribing RNA molecules with high amounts of secondary structures. When selecting a reverse transcriptase, it is also important to consider factors such as sensitivity and thermostability, which can affect the accuracy and efficiency of the cDNA synthesis. The various formats, include:

• Standalone enzymes to help ensure maximum flexibility in reaction setup.
• Complete kits/master mixes for efficient and reproducible first strand cDNA synthesis. These kits are also available in formats with dsDNase. The dsDNase step is completed in two minutes and allows for an easy gDNA removal prior to reverse transcription.

Reverse transcriptases are selected for their sensitivity and thermostability. The attributes of various Thermo Scientific reverse transcriptases are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Attributes of Thermo Scientific reverse transcriptases

Learn more about Maxima Reverse Transcriptase

Primers are an essential component of the reverse transcription reaction, and they are added to the reaction mix along with the reverse transcriptase and other necessary components. The addition of appropriate primers is crucial for successful cDNA synthesis in the reverse transcription reaction. Two commonly used primer types to initiate the synthesis of cDNA are oligo dT primers and random hexamer primers.

• Brochure: RNA workflow—A guide to help optimize your cDNA synthesis and RNA analysis
• Flyer: Maxima H Minus Reverse Transcriptase
• LabAid: Maxima Reverse Transcriptases
• Brochure: Thermo Scientific molecular biology workflow solutions
• Spotlight article: Basic principles of RT-qPCR