Cristian Mena Thank you for responding, I do have the kit for RNA isolation, but I need few advice about the initial steps like how to handle eggs and tissue for isolating RNA
@all Certainly, isolating RNA from fish samples, including fish eggs and tissues, requires careful handling and attention to detail. Here are some pro tips to help you get started:
Before You Begin:
Work in a Sterile Environment: Maintain a sterile workspace and use RNase-free equipment, including pipette tips, tubes, and gloves, to prevent RNA degradation.
Sample Preparation: Homogenize your fish tissues thoroughly using a suitable homogenization method (e.g., bead beating, rotor-stator homogenizer) to ensure efficient RNA extraction.
RNA Extraction:
Use a High-Quality RNA Isolation Kit: Consider using a commercial RNA isolation kit specifically designed for difficult samples like fish tissues. These kits often include optimized protocols.
Include a DNase Treatment: To remove genomic DNA contamination, perform a DNase treatment step as part of your RNA extraction protocol.
Keep Samples Cold: Maintain a cold environment throughout the RNA extraction process. Use pre-chilled reagents and keep your samples on ice to minimize RNA degradation.
Minimize Handling Time: Complete each step of the RNA extraction process as quickly as possible to reduce RNA degradation due to prolonged exposure to RNases.
RNA Quantification and Quality Assessment:
Measure RNA Concentration: Use a spectrophotometer (e.g., UV-Vis) to determine RNA concentration. Ensure that the A260/A280 ratio is around 2.0, indicating pure RNA.
Assess RNA Integrity: Use gel electrophoresis or a bioanalyzer to assess the integrity of your RNA. Intact RNA should display sharp 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA bands.
Storage:
Store RNA Properly: If you can't proceed with downstream applications immediately, store RNA samples at -80°C to maintain RNA integrity. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Fish Egg Specific Tips:
Dechorionation: If you are working with fish eggs still enclosed in chorions, consider a dechorionation step to access the underlying embryos for RNA extraction.
RNA Extraction Buffer Optimization: For fish eggs, you may need to optimize the composition of your RNA extraction buffer to efficiently break down the chorion and extract RNA.
General Tips:
Replicate Samples: If possible, extract RNA from multiple replicates of each sample to account for biological variability.
Consult Published Protocols: Look for published RNA extraction protocols specific to fish samples or your fish species of interest. These may offer valuable insights and optimizations.
Seek Expert Advice: If you encounter challenges, consider consulting with experienced researchers or core facilities specializing in RNA extraction from fish samples.
Remember that RNA extraction can be a sensitive process, and optimization may be required based on the specific fish species and sample types you're working with. Be patient and methodical in your approach, and don't hesitate to seek assistance from colleagues or experts with experience in fish RNA extraction if needed.