Method for amplifying rna in a sample

A method for amplifying a target RNA in a sample comprising the following steps:

• (i) providing a reaction mixture at a first temperature, said reaction mixture comprising:
• the sample;
• a reverse transcriptase enzyme;
• a DNA polymerase enzyme;
• a mixture of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs);
• at least one primer configured to convert the target RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA) and/or to amplify said cDNA;
• an aptamer oligonucleotide configured to specifically inhibit the reverse transcriptase enzyme, and
• an inhibitor of the aptamer oligonucleotide,
• (ii) reverse transcribing said target RNA into cDNA by incubating said reaction mixture at a second temperature higher than said first temperature resulting in an at least partial unfolding of said aptamer oligonucleotide and an inhibition of the latter by said inhibitor, and
• (iii) amplifying said cDNA by polymerase chain reaction.

A kit for amplifying a target RNA, comprising:

• a reverse transcriptase enzyme;
• a DNA polymerase enzyme;
• a mixture of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs);
• at least one primer configured to convert the target RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA) and/or to amplify said cDNA;
• an aptamer oligonucleotide configured to specifically inhibit the reverse transcriptase enzyme, and
• an inhibitor of the aptamer oligonucleotide.