Oligonucleotide Primers with G 8AE -Clamp Modifications for RT-qPCR Detection of the Low-Copy dsRNA.

We developed a new technique suitable for improved detection of low-copy dsRNA using modified oligonucleotides as primers in RT-qPCR. Insertion of G ^8AE -clamp residues into primers significantly improves thermal stability of duplexes with RNA without decrease of hybridization selectivity. The applicability of modified primers is demonstrated for detection of low-copy Kemerovo virus dsRNA.