Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a powerful method to detect and quantify specific RNA or DNA sequences. Using this technique, specific regions within a DNA or complementary DNA (cDNA) template can be amplified to many thousands of copies using sequence-specific primers, heat-stable DNA polymerase and a thermo cycler. While the product is analyzed using gel electrophoresis in traditional PCR, qPCR enables the collection of data during the PCR process by labeling the DNA using either fluorescent dyes or fluorescently labeled probes.