⚡ Detection Method
qRT-PCR
🕒 Assay Time
Refer to manual
🎯 Storage Temperature
-20 °C (stable for 24 months)

Product Description

SHENTEK® Replication-Competent Retrovirus (RCR) Quantitation Kit is designed for quantitative detection of Replication-Competent Retrovirus (RCR) in cell therapy and gene therapy products produced with retrovirus vectors. The kit supports absolute quantitation using a standard-curve qRT-PCR workflow and is compatible with SHENTEK® Virus DNA & RNA Extraction Kit for upstream nucleic acid preparation. The kit provides lyophilized RCR control, primer & probe mix, qRT-PCR buffer and enzyme mix, and reagents sufficient for 100 reactions. Intended for rapid, specific and reliable monitoring of RCR in virus-producing cell banks, end-of-production cells, viral vector preparations and CAR-T cells.

Technical Specifications

Parameter Details
Assay format Absolute quantitation by qRT-PCR using a standard curve
Recommended standard curve points ST2–ST6 (five concentration points) corresponding to 5 × 10^5, 5 × 10^4, 5 × 10^3, 5 × 10^2, 5 × 10^1 copies/μL
Control stock concentration (after reconstitution) Labelled RCR Control reconstituted to 5 × 10^8 copies/μL then serially diluted
Suggested quantitation range 5 × 10^1 – 5 × 10^5 copies/μL (based on ST6–ST2 standard points)
Limit of detection / quantitation Not explicitly specified in manual; lowest standard provided is 5 × 10^1 copies/μL (ST6)
Reaction volumes qRT-PCR mix per well 10 μL + sample 20 μL = total 30 μL reaction volume
qRT-PCR component volumes (per reaction) 5×RT-qPCR Buffer 6 μL, RT-qPCR Enzyme MIX 1 μL, RCR Primer&Probe MIX 3 μL (total 10 μL)
Thermal cycling program Reverse transcription 50 °C 15:00 (1 cycle); Activation 95 °C 00:30 (1 cycle); 40 cycles of 95 °C 00:15 and 60 °C 01:00 (fluorescence read during 60 °C step)
Instrument compatibility Compatible with common real-time PCR instruments (examples: SHENTEK-96S, ABI 7500, LightCycler 480 II, CFX96, qTOWER3 G); settings provided for Applied Biosystems 7500 SDS v1.4
Acceptance criteria (controls) NTC Ct should be ≥ 35.00 or undetermined. NCS Ct should be larger than mean Ct of the lowest standard concentration.
Kit throughput Reagents sufficient for 100 reactions
Storage & stability Store kit components at -20 °C; components stable up to 24 months (check labels for expiration)

Features

  • Designed for RCR quantitation: Specifically targets Replication-Competent Retrovirus (RCR) in cell and gene therapy products, enabling product safety testing and release control.
  • Absolute quantitation: Uses a serially diluted lyophilized RCR control and a standard-curve qRT-PCR method to provide copy number (copies/μL).
  • Complete qRT-PCR reagents: Includes primer & probe mix, 5× RT-qPCR buffer, RT-qPCR enzyme mix, RNase-free water and a lyophilized control; reagents provided for 100 reactions.
  • Compatible with common real-time PCR platforms: Validated instructions and program settings provided for multiple instruments (e.g., ABI 7500, LightCycler 480 II, CFX96).
  • RNase-free and protected formulations: RNase-free water and light-protected mixes supplied; some components labeled 'protect from light'.

Applications

  • Quantitative detection of RCR in virus-producing cell banks
  • Testing end-of-production cells for RCR contamination
  • Quantitation of RCR in viral vector preparations
  • Screening CAR‑T or other cell therapy products for RCR
  • Quality control and release testing during gene/cell therapy manufacturing
  • Method validation and assay development for RCR monitoring

Kit Contents

RCR Control (lyophilized powder)-20 °C
RCR Primer & Probe MIX-20 °C, protect from light
5× RT-qPCR Buffer-20 °C
RT-qPCR Enzyme MIX-20 °C, protect from light
RNase-Free H2O (1.2 mL × 3)-20 °C
ddH2O (1 mL × 1)-20 °C
* Total: 100 reactions | Method: qRT-PCR (absolute quantitation by standard curve)

Attention

• For Research Use Only (RUO). Not for diagnostic use.

• Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and follow handling instructions.

• Wear appropriate PPE: protective eyewear, mask, lab coat and gloves.

• Work in RNase-free conditions; use RNase-free consumables and reagents.

• Protect light-sensitive reagents from light; store at -20 °C.

• Thaw reagents at 2–8 °C or on ice. Do not refreeze repeatedly.

• Dissolve lyophilized control by adding specified volume of ddH2O and mix thoroughly (vortex/flick and centrifuge as instructed).

• Decontaminate work surfaces and equipment (UV irradiation 30 min and 75% ethanol recommended).

• Include at least five standard curve points (recommended ST2–ST6) and appropriate controls (NTC, NCS).

• Acceptance criteria: NTC Ct ≥ 35.00 or undetermined; NCS Ct must be larger than mean Ct of lowest standard.

Quality Management & Certifications

Quality System

Download QMS

QMS (ISO, GMP)

Download Certificate

Quality Advantages

View Report

Quality Control Process

Download Process

📂 Technical Resources & Downloads

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the intended use of this kit?
The kit is intended for research use only to quantitatively detect Replication-Competent Retrovirus (RCR) in cell therapy and gene therapy products, including virus-producing cell banks, end-of-production cells, viral vectors and CAR‑T cells.
Q2: How many reactions does the kit support and what is the reaction setup?
The kit provides reagents for 100 reactions. Each reaction is prepared as a 30 μL total volume (10 μL qRT-PCR mix + 20 μL sample or water), with qRT-PCR mix composed of 6 μL 5×RT-qPCR Buffer, 1 μL RT-qPCR Enzyme MIX and 3 μL RCR Primer&Probe MIX per reaction.
Q3: What is the quantitation range and lowest standard provided?
The recommended standard curve uses five points (ST2–ST6) corresponding to 5 × 10^5 to 5 × 10^1 copies/μL. The lyophilized RCR Control is reconstituted to 5 × 10^8 copies/μL and serially diluted to prepare standards.
Q4: What instrument settings and acceptance criteria should I use?
Thermal program: RT 50 °C 15:00; Activation 95 °C 00:30; 40 cycles of 95 °C 00:15 and 60 °C 01:00 (read fluorescence at 60 °C). Use absolute quantitation (standard curve). NTC Ct should be ≥ 35 or undetermined; NCS Ct should be larger than mean Ct of the lowest standard.

Research Use Only

Research Use Only (RUO) – This product is intended for laboratory research purposes only and not for clinical or regulatory diagnostic use.

Not intended for use in USDA or FDA regulated diagnostic testing or official compliance testing.

When can I expect my order to ship?

Most orders are filled and shipped within 2-3 business days from the time they are received.

Our standard shipping usually take 2-5 days.

We also provide express shippping for time-sensitive deliveries. 

Email contact@biofargo.com if you have any requirements.

 

Terms and Conditions