Modern RNA Quantification Methods: From RT-qPCR to Advanced Microscopy

RNA plays a crucial role in gene expression, regulation, protein synthesis, and other cellular functions. The diversity that exists between different RNAs makes information beyond their expression level necessary for understanding more about their complex functions in a cell. Conventional ensemble approaches to RNA quantification have been used extensively to measure the quantity of RNA but lack cellular-level spatial information. This review highlights important contributions that high resolution microscopy has made to RNA quantification and cellular biophysics. Using advanced microscopy for precise localization, real-time tracking, and quantitative measurements of RNA increases our understanding of different disease states, cell- and tissue-specific gene regulation, and cellular architecture.