<P> These activities are used by the retrovirus to convert single - stranded genomic RNA into double - stranded cDNA which can integrate into the host genome , potentially generating a long - term infection that can be very difficult to eradicate . The same sequence of reactions is widely used in the laboratory to convert RNA to DNA for use in molecular cloning , RNA sequencing , polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) , or genome analysis . </P>
what is the role of reverse transcriptase in retroviral infection
to convert single - stranded genomic RNA into double - stranded cDNA which can integrate into the host genome , potentially generating a long - term infection that can be very difficult to eradicate