A Fast and Easy Method for Specific Detection of Circular RNA by Rolling‐Circle Amplification

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a new class of usually noncoding transcripts with largely unknown functions. Their research is hampered not least by the inapplicability of traditional analytical methods. Herein we describe a rapid and easy assay for the detection of natural circRNA, based on rolling‐circle amplification (RCA). This technique does not require the use of fluorescently labeled RNA or DNA and can specifically detect circular RNA in the presence of a 1000‐fold excess of the same linear RNA. Only standard devices such as (quantitative) PCR cyclers and gel electrophoresis are used.