Target‐Catalyzed Transfer Reactions for the Amplified Detection of RNA

Strong signals: The RNA-catalyzed transfer of a biotin reporter was used to preamplify a signal that was detected in an enzyme-based readout, thereby increasing its sensitivity. The advantages of combining the covalent attachment of biotin and preamplification were demonstrated by the detection of 500 attomol HIV RNA. The flexibility requirements of DNA- and RNA-catalyzed transfer reactions were tested.