Total RNA Extraction from Skin Biopsies

Boston University
Center for Regenerative Medicine
Postdoctoral Associate

Overall

Quality of Results

Ease-of-Optimization

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Company:

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Product Name:

mirVana miRNA isolation kit

Catalog Number:

AM1560

The aim of this experiment was to extract total RNA from skin biopsies (approx. 4mm) for downstream microRNA quantification (qRT-PCR).

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

microRNA and gene expression assays

Starting Material

Skin biopsies

Protocol Overview

Total RNA was extracted from clinical skin biopsies using the mirVana miRNA Isolation kit. Skin biopsy was homogenised on a sterile petri-dish, in 60 µl of Lysis Buffer using a sterile scalpel. The lysate was transferred into a microcentrifuge and made up to 300 µl with the Lysis Buffer. Then the Homogenate Additive was added and the sample was incubated on ice for 10 minutes. Phenol:chloroform was then carefully added to the sample, vortexed and then centrifuged. The upper phase was carefully transferred to a fresh tube and 100% Ethanol added to it. The mix was then loaded onto a Filter Cartridge and centrifuged. The sample was washed several times using the indicated Wash Buffers 1 & 2. The Filter Cartridge was dried by centrifugation and the Filter was transferred to a new Eppendorf and pre-heated nuclease-free water (100 µl) at 95ºC was used to elute the total RNA.

Tips

Initially, homogenise the skin using sterile scalpel.

Results Summary

Good quality RNA yield.

Additional Notes

None

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Summary

The Good

Easy to use.

The Bad

Phenol-based.

The Bottom Line

Good yield, great if you only need to extract total RNA and microRNA.

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