- Transfer the tissue into a mortar that contains an appropriate amount of liquid nitrogen to cover the sample. Grind the tissue thoroughly using a pestle. Allow the liquid nitrogen to evaporate, without allowing the tissue to thaw.
- Add 600 µL of Buffer RL to the tissue sample and continue to grind until the sample has been homogenized.
- Homogenize by passing the lysate 5-10 times through a 25 gauge needle attached to a syringe.
- Using a pipette, transfer the lysate into an RNase-free microcentrifuge tube.
- Spin the lysate for 2 minutes to pellet any cell debris.
- Transfer the supernatant to another RNase-free microcentrifuge tube. Note the volume of the supernatant/lysate.
- Add an equal volume of 70% ethanol to the lysate volume collected (100 µL of ethanol is added to every 100 µL of lysate).
- Vortex to mix.
- Proceed to RNA Purification step
Blood Samples
Whole Blood
Notes: This procedure is for the isolation of RNA from whole blood. It is recommended that no more than 100 µL of blood be used in order to prevent clogging of the column. We recommend the use of this kit to isolate RNA from non-coagulating fresh blood using EDTA as the anti-coagulant. Working quickly is important for this procedure.
Whole blood lysis procedure:
- Transfer up to 100 µL of non-coagulating blood to an RNase-free microcentrifuge tube.
- Add 350 µL of Buffer RL to the blood.
- Lyse cells by vortexing for 15 seconds. Ensure that mixture becomes transparent before proceeding to the next step.
- Add 200 µL of 96–100% ethanol to the lysate.
- Mix by vortexing for 10 seconds.
- Proceed to RNA Purification step.
Plasma and Serum Samples
Notes:
- Plasma or serum of all human and animal subjects is considered potentially infectious. All necessary precautions recommended by the appropriate authorities in the country of use should be taken when working with plasma or serum.
- We recommend the use of this kit to isolate RNA from plasma or serum prepared by standard protocol from non-coagulating fresh blood using EDTA or sodium citrate as the anti-coagulant. Plasma prepared from fresh blood using heparin as an anti-coagulant is not suitable for use with this protocol. For heparin-prepared samples follow the protocol for Whole Blood samples.
- It is recommended that no more than 200 µL of plasma or serum be used in order to prevent clogging of the column. Avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycle of the plasma or serum sample. Aliquot to the appropriate volume for usage prior to freezing. It is important to work quickly during this procedure.
- The yield of RNA from plasma and serum is highly variable. In general, the expected yield could vary from 1 to 100 ng per 100 µL of plasma or serum used. In addition, the expected A260:A280 ratio as well as the A260:A230 ratio will be lower (<1.80) than the normal acceptable range from other cells or tissues.
Plasma and serum lysis procedure:
- Transfer up to 200 µL of plasma or serum to an RNase-free microcentrifuge tube.
- Add 300 µL of Buffer RL to every 100 µL of plasma or serum.
- Mix by vortexing for 10 seconds.
Optional: Add 0.7 µL of 0.8 µg/µL MS2 RNA per sample. The use of MS2 RNA could increase the consistency of downstream applications such as RT-PCR. However, the use of MS2 RNA is not recommended for applications involving global gene expression analysis such as microarrays or sequencing.
- Add 400 µL of 96–100% ethanol (provided by the user) to every 400 µL of the lysate (equivalent to every 100 µL of plasma or serum used).
- Mix by vortexing for 10 seconds.
- Proceed to RNA Purification step.
Nasal or Throat Swabs
Notes: Body fluid of all human and animal subjects is considered potentially infectious. It is important to work quickly during this procedure.
Nasal or throat swab lysis procedure:
- Add 600 µL of Buffer RL to an RNase-free microcentrifuge tube.
- Gently brush a sterile, single-use cotton swab inside the nose or mouth of the subject.
- Using sterile techniques cut the cotton tip where the nasal or throat cells were collected and place into the microcentrifuge tube containing the Buffer RL.
- Close the tube.
- Vortex gently and incubate for 5 minutes at room temperature.
- Using a pipette, transfer the lysate into another RNase-free microcentrifuge tube.
- Note the volume of the lysate.
- Add an equal volume of 70% ethanol to the lysate volume collected (100 µL of ethanol is added to every 100 µL of lysate).
- Vortex to mix.
- Proceed to RNA Purification step.
Free Viral Particles
Notes:
- It is recommended that no more than 100 µL of viral suspension be used in order to prevent clogging of the column.
- It is important to work quickly during this procedure.
Free viral particle lysis procedure:
- Transfer up to 100 µL of viral suspension to an RNase-free microcentrifuge tube (not provided).
- Add 350 µL of Buffer RL.
- Lyse viral particles by vortexing for 15 seconds.
- Add 200 µL of 96–100% ethanol (provided by the user) to the lysate.
- Mix by vortexing for 10 seconds.
- Proceed to RNA Purification step.
RNA Purification
Binding RNA to Column
- Assemble a column with one of the provided collection tubes.
- Apply up to 600 µL of the lysate with the ethanol onto the column
- Centrifuge for 1 minute at ~3,500 x g (~6,000 rpm). Ensure the entire lysate volume has passed through into the collection tube by inspecting the column. If the entire lysate volume has not passed, spin for an additional minute at 14,000 x g (~14,000 rpm).
- Discard the flowthrough.
- Reassemble the spin column with its collection tube.
- Depending on the lysate volume, repeat the above steps as necessary.
The GenElute™ Total RNA Purification Kit isolates total RNA with minimal amounts of genomic DNA contamination. As an optional step, the On-Column DNA Removal Protocol can be performed at this point for maximum removal of residual DNA that may affect sensitive downstream applications. Please refer to separate instructions provided in the user guide to perform the On-Column DNA Removal using Catalog Number DNASE10-1SET (not included in kit).
Column Wash
- Apply 400 µL of Wash Solution A to the column and centrifuge for 1 minute. Ensure the entire ethanol solution has passed through into the collection tube by inspecting the column. If the entire wash volume has not passed, spin for an additional minute.
- Discard the flowthrough and reassemble the spin column with its collection tube.
- Repeat steps to wash column two additional times.
- After the final wash, spin the column for 2 minutes in order to thoroughly dry the resin.
- Discard the collection tube.
RNA Elution
- Place the column into a fresh 1.7 mL Elution tube provided with the kit.
- Add 50 µL of Elution Solution A to the column.
- Centrifuge for 2 minutes at 200 x g (~2,000 rpm), followed by 1 minute at 14,000 x g (~14,000 rpm).
- Note the volume eluted from the column. If the entire 50 µL has not been eluted, spin the column at 14,000 x g (~14,000 rpm) for 1 additional minute.
- For maximum RNA recovery, it is recommended that a second elution be performed into a separate microcentrifuge tube (repeat the above steps).
The purified RNA sample may be stored at –20 °C for a few days. It is recommended that samples be placed at –70 °C for long term storage.