Digital PCR: What Relevance to Plant Studies?

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Digital PCR is a third-generation technology based on the subdivision of the analytical sample into numerous partitions that are amplified individually. This review presents the major applications of digital PCR (dPCR) technology developed so far in the field of plant science. In greater detail, dPCR assays have been developed to trace genetically modified plant components, pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, and plant species. Other applications have concerned the study of the aspects of structural and functional genetics. ABSTRACT: Digital PCR (dPCR) is a breakthrough technology that able to provide sensitive and absolute nucleic acid quantification. It is a third-generation technology in the field of nucleic acid amplification. A unique feature of the technique is that of dividing the sample into numerous separate compartments, in each of which an independent amplification reaction takes place. Several instrumental platforms have been developed for this purpose, and different statistical approaches are available for reading the digital output data. The dPCR assays developed so far in the plant science sector were identified in the literature, and the major applications, advantages, disadvantages, and applicative perspectives of the technique are presented and discussed in this review.