The development of a highly-sensitive nonradioactive activity assay for RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) would offer a substantial benefit for both replacing standard radiolabeling assays used by the research community and for the potential screening of compounds for research and clinical applications. RNAPII is the machine that drives transcription - the fundamental process enabling the "reading" of the human genome. The "turning" on or off of genes, and decisions on the level of gene expression, are the direct result of processing of input from transcription factors by the core transcription machinery. Ultimately, RNAPII is responsible for RNA synthesis for all protein encoding genes. I developed a "nonspecific" RNAPII assay to enable the study of RNAPII with its associated transcription factors. The assay may prove helpful for disclosure of inhibitors of TFIIS and possibly other RNAPII associated transcription factors for the treatment of breast and other cancers. The assay is also effective for detection of bacterial RNA polymerase activity; therefore, the assay holds potential for high throughput screening for inhibitors against bacterial polymerases, while ruling out effects upon the mammalian enzyme.