I have no experience in conducting PCR or qPCR. I am trying to understand some basic information about qPCR testing for SARS-CoV-2, and hence was reading through a typical protocol https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/protocol-v2-1.pdf.
In the protocol it is mentioned that specificity of the primers are tested against other coronaviruses. Shouldn't the specificity also be tested against human mRNA?
From reading some material online (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/pcr/real-time-pcr/real-time-pcr-research-areas/virus-detection-using-real-time-pcr.html, https://www.qiagen.com/us/applications/human-identity-and-forensics/investigator-solutions/sample-preparation/qiaamp-viral-rna-mini-kit/), it seems that viral RNA can be specifically isolated, however I do not find a description of how. I notice that DNA can be removed from the reaction using DNase I treatment, but I am unable to find a similar explanation for mRNA.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
