MicrobeWorld

RNA Isolation from soil is one of the most difficult applications we perform in environmental molecular biology. RNA purification is always an arduous task and from soil it becomes a bigger challenge. One of the biggest problems is the yield of RNA from soil. Because typical yields of RNA are so much lower than for DNA, usually between 10-20% of the yield of DNA, starting with a larger amount of sample is desired. This requires a method that uses larger and slower processing methods.

The other major issue is, of course, the humic acid and inhibitor content of soil co-contaminating the RNA. Purity for RNA applications is even more important because dilution of the RNA for reverse transcription is not desired when looking for low copy genes. The RNA needs to be concentrated when added to the reaction and inhibitors cannot be present.

We do many soil RNA preps at MO BIO so this article presents 10 tips and tricks we use for isolating RNA from soil. To continue reading and to share your tips and tricks, continue on at the Source link.