Is there any other way apart from dry ice shipment that will maintain the integrity of the RNA samples?
I have carried RNA samples as an ethanol precipitate in my pocket several times. Use a screw cap tube to avoid leaks and wrap in parafilm if you are paranoid. The recepient can then spin in for 30', wash with cold 80% ethanol and quantify. Alternatively, dry to completion (Speed-Vac) for the recepient to resuspend in water.
Essentially, if your RNA contains trace RNases, you are doomed as soon as you put it in any enzymatic reaction (e.g. reverse transcription or RNA ligation) as it will get trashed. And if it is clean of protein contaminants, it will be perfectly happy even as an aqueous solution for a day or two. I know it sounds heretical, but I have worked with RNA for almost 20 years, and not only have I accidentally left samples out of the freezer for the weekend with no loss of quality, but also did proper stability analysis.
Away with the RNAphobia! :-)
Good luck!
Hi,
Check this one: http://www.gentegra.com/products.html#rna
Really impressive system (I have used it), recommended as standard by some sequencing companies. For a few samples it will be surely cheaper (and so much less hassle-free) than dry-ice.
Cheers,
Ruben
I have carried RNA samples as an ethanol precipitate in my pocket several times. Use a screw cap tube to avoid leaks and wrap in parafilm if you are paranoid. The recepient can then spin in for 30', wash with cold 80% ethanol and quantify. Alternatively, dry to completion (Speed-Vac) for the recepient to resuspend in water.
Essentially, if your RNA contains trace RNases, you are doomed as soon as you put it in any enzymatic reaction (e.g. reverse transcription or RNA ligation) as it will get trashed. And if it is clean of protein contaminants, it will be perfectly happy even as an aqueous solution for a day or two. I know it sounds heretical, but I have worked with RNA for almost 20 years, and not only have I accidentally left samples out of the freezer for the weekend with no loss of quality, but also did proper stability analysis.
Away with the RNAphobia! :-)
Good luck!
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