Which technique is used to enhance detection of nucleic acids?

The technique of SYBR Green staining is used to enhance the detection of nucleic acids by allowing for the quantification of DNA during polymerase chain reactions (PCR). This method utilizes a fluorescent dye that binds specifically to double-stranded DNA. When the DNA is amplified in a PCR process, the SYBR Green dye fluoresces, enabling real-time monitoring of the amplification process. This fluorescence can be measured at different cycles of the PCR, providing quantitative data on the amount of DNA present, which is particularly useful in applications such as quantitative PCR (qPCR).

In contrast, RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) is a technique used to amplify RNA by first converting it into complementary DNA (cDNA) through reverse transcription, but it does not involve staining. Southern blotting involves transferring DNA from a gel onto a membrane and detecting it using specific probes; while it is a powerful technique for identifying particular DNA sequences, it is not primarily focused on enhancing detection in a real-time amplification context. Ethanol precipitation is a method used for purifying nucleic acids from solution, which doesn't enhance detection but rather isolates nucleic acids for further analysis or experimentation.