Which tests can detect RNA/DNA?

• A. PCR, RT-PCR, Hybrid Capture Assays, NGS
• B. ELISA, electrophoresis
• C. FISH, ICC
• D. PTH, chromogranin

Answer: (A)

Detecting RNA or DNA relies on methods that target genetic material rather than proteins. PCR amplifies DNA, making any specific DNA target easy to detect. RT-PCR adds a step that converts RNA into complementary DNA and then amplifies it, so RNA targets can be detected. Hybrid capture assays use labeled nucleic acid probes that bind (hybridize) to specific sequences, allowing detection of the target DNA (and, for RNA targets, corresponding RNA versions in designed assays). Next-generation sequencing reads the exact sequence present and can analyze both DNA directly and RNA indirectly through cDNA in RNA-seq workflows. Together, these techniques cover detection of both RNA and DNA, which is why they are the correct group. The other options focus on protein detection or use methods that don’t directly identify nucleic acids in typical diagnostic use, so they don’t fit as a group for RNA/DNA detection.